By Rochelle Lauzon, VeDA Ambassador and Physical Therapy Student
This past September, during Balance Awareness Week, I had the pleasure of attending the 4th Annual ANPT Conference (Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy) in Columbus, OH. I am a VeDA Ambassador, a vestibular patient, and I’m currently in school to become a vestibular physical therapist (PT), so this focused-topic conference was a perfect fit for me.
I was only one of three PT students to attend. It was amazing to both learn from PTs who already work in the neuro/vestibular PT fields, and provide my perspective as a student and a vestibular patient.
Vestibular content was just a one part of the conference, but there was plenty of opportunity to learn and see advocacy in action. I was able to sit with the Vestibular SIG (special interest group) networking lunch, where I met other PTs who specialize in vestibular rehabilitation. These individuals helped educate me on the best continuing education courses to take after graduation, to ensure I am the most informed when I work with vestibular patients myself. I also stopped by the VeDA exhibitor booth and met Kyler, the Member and Donor Services Coordinator for VeDA. It was exciting to see him talk with the conference attendees about VeDA’s work and what we do!
I was most excited, of course, to sit in on the vestibular-specific session. This talk was hosted by Rachel Wellons, MPT, DPT, who is also the chair of the ANPT Vestibular SIG, and Jennifer Stoskus, PT, DPT, NCS. Their talk emphasized using the Bárány Society’s ICVD (International Classification of Vestibular Disorders) Criteria when evaluating a patient with a vestibular disorder. The speakers brought the attendees through various case examples where the patient’s symptoms and full medical history were described, and we used the criteria to work through what testing should be done and which vestibular diagnosis was most likely. Referring to the ICVR Criteria helped remind us of which symptoms, or group of symptoms, typically correlate to a specific disorder, and encouraged us to think critically when listening to our vestibular patients.
Overall, this conference was both a great way to meet people in the physical therapy field and learn from some of the best vestibular physical therapists out there. I am excited to see how many vestibular PTs are working hard to educate themselves and ensure they can provide the best care for their patients with vestibular disorders.