Continue your Levels Training journey with expanded OPT™ coursework in feeding therapy, speech therapy and the sensory system.
Menu
TalkTools® exclusive training program is the only officially recognized advanced training program for OPT (Oral Placement Therapy)™ available
Grow Your Practice
Empower Your Clients
Expand Your Network
Further Your Expertise
Anyone who is committed to expanding their knowledge in and passion for OPT™/oral-motor therapy for speech and feeding and who has begun their TalkTools® education journey through our courses can apply to the Levels OPT™ Specialist Training Program.
We encourage professionals across disciplines to apply to this program — regardless of your role and responsibilities.
Obtaining relevant education and training to continue your professional growth and knowledge — even when some of the content might fall outside your role or responsibilities (Scope of Practice) — can allow for a more thorough understanding of the client and a holistic, collaborative and cooperative approach to assessment and treatment options across your team.
Depending upon your profession and your role on your medical team (and the country in which you reside/practice), you may be applying OPT™ techniques when assessing and treating OR you may be observing and providing informed input during the therapy process. Some professionals who may be interested include:
Speech Language Pathologist
Occupational Therapist
Behavioral Therapist
Lactation Counselor (CLC/IBCLC)
Orofacial Myologist/Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM)
Pediatric Educator
Feeding Therapist
Dietician/Nutritionist
Swallowing/ Dysphagia Specialist
The Level 3 OPT™ Specialist and Level 4 Advanced OPT™ Specialist Training is for experienced professionals who have taken the required combination of Level 1 and Level 2 TalkTools® courses (as outlined below) and have directly applied or immersively observed OPT™ techniques and protocols with their clients or as part of a team for the required number of months/years (as outlined below) — this is considered advanced-level training.
Only individuals who have completed Level 3 and are an officially, recognized Level 3 OPT™ Specialist may apply for Level 4 Training.
TalkTools® is an internationally recognized continuing education provider.
We have our own standards, processes and procedures for issuing TalkTools® certificates and recognitions.
We have no role in professional licensing.
It is not our responsibility to monitor whether someone is working within their professional role (see Scope of Practice)
It is the duty of the professional to respect and uphold their role in and responsibilities in their practice and on the pediatric speech and feeding team, as determined by their respective credentials and license.
4 Levels of Training
Requirements for each Level
LEVEL 1
Foundational
COMPLETION OF LEVEL 1 (4 steps)
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of 3-Part Treatment Plan for OPT™ — our foundational OPT course FORMATS: self-study, virtual streaming or in-person workshop
- Completion of OPT: Assessment and Program Plan Development™ ––apply what you’ve learned to build your own OPT Program™. FORMATS: self-study, virtual streaming or in-person workshop
- 3 months direct application or immersive observation of OPT™ techniques in your practice or on your team (depending upon your professional role on your team)
COURSE COMPLETION AND CERTIFICATES:
All TalkTools learners receive a CERTIFICATE OF COURSE COMPLETION after they complete a TalkTools® course — this certificate verifies they have completed a TalkTools course and can integrate the OPT™ techniques and principles they learned in their therapy practice. The certificate of course completion DOES NOT VERIFY CERTIFICATION IN OPT™ and does not qualify individuals to advertise or promote themselves as officially recognized, qualified TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists. Only individuals who have completed Level 3 and Level 4 are officially recognized TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists
LEVEL 2
Intermediate
Continue your Levels Training journey with expanded coursework in feeding therapy, speech therapy and the sensory system.
COMPLETION OF LEVEL 2 (5 steps)
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of LEVEL 1 coursework
- Completed of at least 1 (ONE) course among the courses listed below (all courses listed are 12 hours instructional time) — available formats: live virtual streaming, onsite/in-person or self-study/on-demand formats:
- Eating and Swallowing: A Global Approach
- Feeding Therapy: A Sensory Motor Approach™
- Superpowers of the Sensory System™
- Motor Speech Series™
- Kaleidoscope Model for Feeding™
- Feeding Disorders: Focus on Dysphagia™
- Best Practices in Feeding, Speech and Mouth Function™
- Assessment and Remediation of Tethered Oral Tissues™
- Taking Your Clients with Autism from Non-Vocal to Verbal™
- 6 hours minimum additional TalkTools® courses — the following qualifies:
- One longer course (6 hours) OR a combination of shorter courses to equal 6 hours TOTAL
- see our Self-Study/On-Demand Course Collection for course selection and additional info
- 3 months direct application or immersive observation of OPT™ techniques in your practice or on your team (depending upon your professional role on your team)
COURSE COMPLETION AND CERTIFICATES:
All TalkTools learners receive a CERTIFICATE OF COURSE COMPLETION after they complete a TalkTools® course — this certificate verifies they have completed a TalkTools course and can integrate the OPT™ techniques and principles they learned in their therapy practice or their team. The certificate of course completion DOES NOT VERIFY CERTIFICATION IN OPT™ and does not qualify individuals to advertise or promote themselves as officially recognized, qualified TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists. Only individuals who have completed Level 3 and Level 4 are officially recognized TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists
LEVEL 3
OPT™ Specialist
Once you’ve completed your Level 1 and Level 2 coursework and directly applied or conducted immersive observation OPT™ techniques for at least 6 months, you qualify to APPLY for Level 3 Training.
The Level 3 Training Program is a multi-day, interactive workshop, limited to a small cohort of Level 2 learners. The cohort will work closely with the Instructor, who provides case studies and guides the candidates on critical thinking, evaluation strategies and OPT™ treatment plans.
ACCEPTANCE TO LEVEL 3 TRAINING
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 coursework
- 6 months direct application or immersive observation of OPT™ techniques in your practice or on your team (depending upon your role) — this includes 3 months in Level 1 + 3 months in Level 2
- Pre-acceptance interview session with Levels™ Instructor
Upon completion of this Level, you will:
- Receive your OPT™ Specialist Certificate, which certifies that you are an officially recognized and qualified TalkTools® Level 3 OPT™ Specialist
- Be a member of the TalkTools® Levels OPT™ Therapist Global Network
- Receive your Level 3 OPT™ Specialist badge to designate status in communications, marketing and client outreach
- Receive special discounts on TalkTools® products and services
- Be qualified to receive 1-on-1 mentoring from the TalkTools® Teaching Team
- Be eligible to apply to the TalkTools® Instructor Training Program
- Be primary contributor to the TalkTools® community for blog posts and articles and for feedback on new tools and training and other beneficial topics
LEVEL 4
OPT™ Advanced Specialist
Once you graduate from Level 3 and are an offically recognized OPT™ Specialist and directly applied or conducted immersive observation of OPT™ techniques for at least 1 year, you qualify to APPLY for Level 4 Training
The Level 4 Training Program is a multi-day workshop, limited to a small cohort of Level 3 OPT™ Specialists. The cohort will provide their own OPT™ case studies and, together with the Instructor, will engage in interactive, collaborative discussions on how build comprehensive assessment and treatment plans. The cohort will learn from each other, as well as the Instructor. A pre-workshop self-study and training module will also be part
ACCEPTANCE TO LEVEL 4 TRAINING
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 coursework
- Completion of Level 3 Training
- Officially Recognized OPT™ Specialist
- 2 years+ of applied techniques in your practice
- Pre-acceptance Q&A interview with Levels Instructor
Upon completion of this Level, you are a recognized and qualified TalkTools® Advanced OPT™ Specialist and will:
- Receive your Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist Certificate, which certifies that you are an officially recognized and qualified TalkTools® Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist
- Be a senior member of the TalkTools® OPT™ Specialist Global Network
- Receive your Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist badge to designate your status in communications, marketing and client outreach
- Receive additional discounts on TalkTools® products and services
- Be qualified to receive 1-on-1 mentoring from the TalkTools® Teaching Team
- Be eligible to provide guidance to Level 1 and Level 2 therapists
- Be eligible to apply to the TalkTools® Instructor Training Program
- Be a principal contributor to the TalkTools® community for blogs, articles and on feedback on new tools and training and other beneficial topics
APPLICATION IS REQUIRED!
Even if you have completed some or all lower level (Level 1 and Level 2) coursework.
FAQs
Level 1 Foundational
Level 2 Intermediate
LEVEL 3 OPT™ Specialist
LEVEL 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist
Level 1 Foundational
COMPLETION OF LEVEL 1 (4 steps)
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of 3-Part Treatment Plan for OPT™ — our foundational OPT course self-study, virtual streaming or in-person workshop
- Completion of OPT: Assessment and Program Plan Development™ ––apply what you’ve learned to build your own OPT Program™ self-study, virtual streaming or in-person workshop
- 3 months applied OPT™ techniques in your practice
COURSE COMPLETION AND CERTIFICATES
All TalkTools learners receive a CERTIFICATE OF COURSE COMPLETION after they complete a TalkTools® course — this certificate verifies they have completed a TalkTools course and can integrate the OPT™ techniques and principles they learned in their therapy practice. The certificate of course completion DOES NOT VERIFY CERTIFICATION IN OPT™ and does not qualify individuals to advertise or promote themselves as officially recognized, qualified TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists. Only individuals who have completed Level 3 and Level 4 are officially recognized TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists
Level 2 Intermediate
COMPLETION OF LEVEL 2 (5 steps)
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of LEVEL 1 coursework
- Completed of at least 1 (ONE) course among the courses listed below (all courses listed are 12 hours instructional time) — available formats: live virtual streaming, onsite/in-person or self-study/on-demand formats:
- 12 hours minimum additional TalkTools® courses — the following qualifies:
- one 12-hour course OR a combination of shorter courses to equal 12 hours total
- 3 months applied OPT techniques in your practice
COURSE COMPLETION AND CERTIFICATES
All TalkTools® learners receive a CERTIFICATE OF COURSE COMPLETION after they complete a TalkTools® course — this certificate verifies they have completed a TalkTools course and can integrate the OPT™ techniques and principles they learned in their therapy practice. The certificate of course completion DOES NOT VERIFY CERTIFICATION IN OPT™ and does not qualify individuals to advertise or promote themselves as officially recognized, qualified TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists. Only individuals who have completed Level 3 and Level 4 are officially recognized TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists
LEVEL 3 OPT™ Specialist
once you’ve completed your Level 1 and Level 2 coursework and have applied OPT™ techniques for at least 6 months, you qualify to APPLY for Level 3 Training.
The Level 3 Training Program is a multi-day, interactive workshop, limited to a small cohort of Level 2 learners. The cohort will work closely with the Instructor, who provides case studies and guides the candidates on critical thinking, evaluation strategies and OPT™ treatment plans.
ACCEPTANCE TO LEVEL 3 TRAINING
- Levels Training application submission
- Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 coursework
- 6 months of applied techniques in your practice (this includes 3 months applied techniques in Level 1 + 3 months applied techniques in Level 2)
- Pre-acceptance interview session with Levels™ Instructor
Upon completion of this Level, you will:
- receive your OPT™ Specialist Certificate, which certifies that you are an officially recognized and qualified TalkTools® Level 3 OPT™ Specialist
- be a member of the TalkTools® Levels OPT™ Therapist Global Network
- receive your Level 3 OPT™ Specialist badge to designate status in communications, marketing and client outreach
- receive special discounts on TalkTools® products and services
- be qualified to receive 1-on-1 mentoring from the TalkTools® Teaching Team
- be eligible to apply to the TalkTools® Instructor Training Program
- be primary contributor to the TalkTools® community for blog posts and articles and for feedback on new tools and training and other beneficial topics.
LEVEL 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist
Once you graduate from Level 3 and are an offically recognized OPT™ Specialist and have applied OPT™ techniques for at least 1 year, you qualify to APPLY for Level 4 Training
The Level 4 Training Program is a multi-day workshop, limited to a small cohort of Level 3 OPT™ Specialists. The cohort will provide their own OPT™ case studies and, together with the Instructor, will engage in interactive, collaborative discussions on how build comprehensive assessment and treatment plans. The cohort will learn from each other, as well as the Instructor. A pre-workshop self-study and training module will also be part
ACCEPTANCE TO LEVEL 4 TRAINING
- Levels Training application submission
- Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 coursework
- Completion of Level 3 Training
- Officially Recognized OPT™ Specialist
- 2 years+ of applied techniques in your practice
- Pre-acceptance Q&A interview with Levels Instructor
Upon completion of this Level, you are a recognized and qualified TalkTools® Advanced OPT™ Specialist and will:
- receive your Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist Certificate, which certifies that you are an officially recognized and qualified TalkTools® Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist
- be a senior member of the TalkTools® OPT™ Specialist Global Network
- receive your Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist badge to designate your status in communications, marketing and client outreach
- receive additional discounts on TalkTools® products and services
- be qualified to receive 1-on-1 mentoring from the TalkTools® Teaching Team
- be eligible to provide guidance to Level 1 and Level 2 therapists
- be eligible to apply to the TalkTools® Instructor Training Program
- be a principal contributor to the TalkTools® community for blogs, articles and on feedback on new tools and training and other beneficial topics
Level 1 and Level 2 (lower Levels) are considered prerequisite courses for Level 3 and Level 4 (upper Levels)
Level 1 includes our foundational OPT™ courses.
Level 2 includes our intermediate specialty courses
Level 3 OPT™ Specialist training is s a multi-day workshop, limited to a small cohort of professionals who have completed Level 2 . The cohort will work closely with the Instructor, who provides case studies and guides the discussion on evaluation strategies and OPT™ treatment plans
The Level 4 Advanced OPT™ Training Program is a multi-day workshop, limited to a small cohort of Level 3 OPT™ Specialists. The cohort will provide their own case studies and, together with the Instructor, will engage in interactive, collaborative discussions on how build comprehensive assessment and treatment plans. The cohort will learn from each other, as well as the Instructor.
NOTE: Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 does NOT qualify you as a TalkTools OPT™ Specialist. You must complete at least Level 3
- Review the requirements for each Level (see above)
- Submit your application (TalkTools staff will make every effort to notify you of your acceptance status within 45 days of submission)
- Complete Level 1 and Level 2 coursework and apply the OPT™ techniques you have learned with your clients
- After completing Level 1 and Level 2 coursework, inquire about Level 3 training
- After completing Level 3 training, enquire about Level 4 training
- completion previous levels
- advanced understanding of OPT™ principles and approaches
- observation and/or demonstration of OPT™ techniques in a clinical setting
- critical thinking
- independent decision-making
- interview with Levels Instructor
- ability/availability to travel to in-person training
Yes! We encourage learners who are who are passionate about OPT™ and are thinking about becoming a TalkTools® OPT™ Specialist to apply at any point during their educational journey with us — whether they are just starting out or they have taken several courses.
Once you review the requirements, you may be closer to Level 3 training than you think!
Application is required to be acceptance to the Levels Training Program
You are not certified in OPT™ after you complete a TalkTools® course.
COURSE COMPLETION AND CERTIFICATES: Learners receive a certificate of course completion after they complete a course. This certificate verifies that a learner has completed a course — they are not certified in OPT™.
The certificate of course completion does not qualify course participants to advertise or promote themselves as a recognized, qualified OPT™ Specialist.
Only individuals who have completed Level 3 and Level 4 are recognized, qualified OPT™ Specialists.
As mentioned, we encourage professionals across disciplines to apply to the Levels OPT Special Training, including, but not limited to:
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Behavioral Therapist
- Lactation Counselor (CLC/IBCLC)
- Orofacial Myologist/Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM)
- Pediatric Educator
- Feeding Therapist
- Dietician/Nutritionist
- Swallowing/ Dysphagia Specialist
While we encourage professionals across disciplines to apply to this program, it is important to remember your role and responsibilities in your practice and on your team, as defined by your license and credentials.
Although assessing and treating for speech and feeding may or may not fall within your scope of practice, obtaining relevant education and training as it applies to your professional growth and knowledge — even when some of the content might fall outside your role or responsibilities (Scope of Practice) — can allow for a more thorough understanding of the client and a holistic, collaborative and cooperative approach to assessment and treatment options across your team.
Taking educational courses does not supercede any professional license, credentials or role, nor does it qualify all who complete the training to assess and treat for speech and feeding.
It is the responsibility of the medical professional to uphold and respect their role and responsibilities in their profession, in their practice and on their medical team and to adhere to their Scope of Practice, as dictated by licensing and credentialing entities.
Absolutely. TalkTools® is an internationally recognized continuing education provider. We are NOT a licensing or credential organization and we do not have any input in the standards for licensure or credentials in the United States or other countries.
Speech and feeding therapy in other countries may be practiced by different professionals than in the US.
Also, as previously mentioned, we encourage all professionals who work on the pediatric speech and feeding team to apply.
The knowledge, techniques, perspectives and protocols acquired will allow for better collaboration among your speech and feeding team and will equip you and your team with possible assessment and treatment options not considered previously, no matter what your role is.
Some professionals that may benefit from this training may be:
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Behavioral Therapist
- Lactation Counselor (CLC/IBCLC)
- Orofacial Myologist/Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM)
- Pediatric Educator
- Feeding Therapist
- Dietician/Nutritionist
- Swallowing/ Dysphagia Specialist
While we encourage everyone who is interested in expanding their OPT™/oral-motor therapy expertise, OPT™ Specialist training requires a set number of TalkTools courses before you are accepted. Also the training content and focus is concentrated on experienced speech and feeding professionals.
It depends upon your professional license, credentials, as well as the country in which you reside/practice. Taking this training courses does not supercede any professional license, credentials or role parameters/restrictions, nor does it qualify all who complete the training to assess and treat for speech and feeding.
As previously mentioned, anyone who is interested in continuing their TalkTools education journey may apply. Obtaining relevant education and training as it applies to your professional growth and knowledge — even when some of the content might fall outside your role or responsibilities (Scope of Practice) — can allow for a more thorough understanding of the client and a holistic, collaborative and cooperative approach to assessment and treatment options across your team.
It is the responsibility of the medical professional to uphold and respect their role and responsibilities in their profession, in their practice and on their medical team and to adhere to their Scope of Practice, as dictated by licensing and credentialing entities, regardless of their training.