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Seating and Mobility Certification

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS

August 2, 2019

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Question

What is a Seating and Mobility Certification or SMS?

Answer

SMS is a specialty certification, through RESNA, for professionals who are working in the field of seating and wheeled mobility. It is a way of demonstrating competence within this very specific field, including all areas of intervention with these particular products across ages and across diagnoses. RESNA is the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America. It has been around since the '80s. It is an international professional organization that represents not just rehab engineers but quite a wide variety of disciplines.

By receiving this certification, we are receiving acknowledgment of a level of skill and expertise in this area. It is an objective external recognition that says that you have achieved a certain level of competence. It demonstrates professional development and shows that you are committed to learning about this important practice area in order to better serve your clients. Funding is also quite important. Right now, Medicare requires that a supplier who is working with complex rehabilitation equipment have their, Assistive Technology Professional, or ATP, certification. I think that it is only a matter of time before this SMS certification starts impacting therapists as well. Even now, there is legislation in front of Congress to protect complex rehabilitation equipment. Part of that legislation includes some degree of ensuring that the evaluating team has the competence to make these recommendations, and there is some discussion about including the SMS as a part of those requirements. This is not likely to happen in the immediate future because the amount of people who have their SMS certification is still rather low, particularly in comparison to the ATP.  However, as more and more people have received their ATP over the years, the number of SMS is steadily increasing, and I think will continue to do so.


michelle lange

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS

Michelle Lange is an occupational therapist with over 35 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for over 15 years. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally, and has authored numerous texts, chapters, and articles. She is the co-editor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a clinical resource guide. She is the former NRRTS Continuing Education Curriculum Coordinator and Clinical Editor of NRRTS Directions magazine. Michelle is a RESNA Fellow and member of the Clinician Task Force. Michelle is a RESNA-certified ATP and SMS.


Related Courses

Let’s Talk Augmentative And Alternative Communication: Preparing For The ATP Exam
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Video

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Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #5633Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Concrete information for AAC'   Read Reviews
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in the context of preparing for the ATP examination is presented in this course. The course will address terminology as well as the HAAT model to explore key features including access, display layout, optimizing access, programming, mounting, and integration of systems.

Continued Conversations, The CE Podcast: The Top Ten Mistakes Clinicians Make During Seating and Mobility Evaluations
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
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Course: #4610Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Everything discussed made it Excellent'   Read Reviews
This podcast will be a conversation about common mistakes made during wheelchair seating and mobility evaluations. The discussion will give you new ideas to improve the evaluation process!

Wheelchair Mobility: Power Wheelchair Alternative Driving Methods
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
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Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #4363Level: Advanced2 Hours
  'Well described the electric wheelchair and it's part by the instructor'   Read Reviews
While some clients require a power wheelchair to achieve independent mobility, not all will be able to use a standard joystick. Clients with paralysis, muscle weakness, increased muscle tone, and uncontrolled movements can often drive a power wheelchair successfully when matched to the most appropriate alternative driving method. This course will systematically explore various alternative driving methods, including specific features, to match these complex client needs. Case studies will be used throughout.

Wheelchair Seating For The Pediatric Population
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Video

Presenter

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Course: #5907Level: Advanced2 Hours
  'easy to understand'   Read Reviews
Pediatric seating and mobility equipment are not simply smaller than equipment designed for adults. This course will present the importance of pediatric positioning, clinical considerations, how to determine if a child is positioned adequately, as well as alternative positioning. A detailed case study will pull all the information together in a practical way.

Computer and Tablet Access
Presented by Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
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Course: #5140Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Really good info on how to use what we already have (keyboard and mouse) and make it more adaptable to our populations'   Read Reviews
This course will present a hierarchy of computer and tablet access options for clients unable to use standard access, such as a keyboard, mouse, and touch screen. Access assessment requires analysis of motor skills, vision, cognition, and functional applications. Alternative keyboards and mice will be presented, as well as other alternative access options.

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