Re: DOC BAND CLINICIANS' TRAINING

[Guest guest]

I presume it is my last post regarding my son's STARband you are

addressing.

I would like to make sure everyone also knows the training an

orthotist, who would fit a STARband or other helmet, receives:

--a four year (bachelors) degree majoring in orthotics/prosthetics

accredited by NCOPE, PLUS one year clinical experience

OR

--a four year (bachelors) degree in any major, plus a one to two year

NCOPE certification in orthotics/prosthetics PLUS one year clinical

experience

PLUS

--National certification exam

--Continuing education at advanced levels

Orthotists are just as well-trained as physical therapists. Cranial

Technologies' downside is that by limiting their treatment to certain

centers of the country, they lose a lot of potential customers who

are not willing to subject an infant to a whole day or more of travel

for each adjustment, sometimes as often as weekly. Also, the DOCband

costs over three times as much as other orthoses. My son's STARband

is $900, and that includes all fittings and adjustments, versus the

DOCband at $3,000. I am sure many parents have their reasons for

choosing DOC over STAR, but for us, the cost and travel was a major

consideration.

I have to say I was kind of surprised to see a CT employee posting to

the board--are they a sponsor? I was under the perhaps wrong

impression as a new member that the board was for parents of plagio

kids.

BTW, Asher is doing MUCH better with his band--he slept all night in

it, only waking up once!

mom to Asher 7/15/01, STARbanded 1/28/02

> A couple of our parents have suggested there may be some confusion

> about the training level of Clinicians in DOC Band Centers.

>

> Cranial Technologies selectively hires Registered and Licensed

> Physical and Occupational Therapists. All of them have Bachelor

> Degrees and many of them actually have Masters Degrees. They are

also

> trained in Pediatrics, i.e. the total care of the infant. When

hired

> by Cranial Technologies, and before they are allowed to treat DOC

> Band Patients, they are given 5 weeks of intense training at one of

> our national Clinicis. This training includes clinicial as well as

> classroom work in all aspects of plagiocephaly, facial asymmetry,

> neck involvement, and the assessment of developmental delays in

> infants.

>

> Our clinicians also work in close collaboration with the

Craniofacial

> Surgeons and Pediatric Neurosurgeons in their communities, which

> provides a setting for exchange of professional and clinical

> information as well as higher level learning.

>

> By following these training protocols, Cranial Technologies ensures

> that each child treated across the nation receives the same level

of

> care.

>

> I hope this information is helpful.

>

> Carol kson

> Cranial Technologies

> 866-362-2263

[Guest guest]

I have to say I was kind of surprised to see a CT employee posting to

the board--are they a sponsor? I was under the perhaps wrong

impression as a new member that the board was for parents of plagio

kids.

>

Chris:

I emailed the question to Carol kson inquiring about their

orthotists education after I had read your last post. I was curious

about it so I asked her what type of education their orthotists have

to go along with their clinical training they must go thru. So she

was simply answering my inquiry & posted it for all us members to see.

Cranial Tech is not a sponsor of our group. I'm sure they do have

employees who look into the board postings. Orthomerica does the

same.

On another note: I'm so glad to hear Asher is doing so much better

in his band. How long is he wearing it now? Hope things continue to

go well.

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI

[Guest guest]

Carol:

Thanks so much for the additional information. I didn't want there

to be any confusion in the group. Thanks again.

Debbie Abby's mom DOCgrad

MI