Leveraging Existing Abilities in Dementia (LEAD™) Training Program & Certification
Lead the future of dementia rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation professionals are increasingly called to support individuals living with dementia — yet many report limited formal training, uncertainty in clinical decision-making, and a lack of structured approaches to guide care.
LEAD™ training was developed to close this gap.
Grounded in research and clinical practice, the program equips rehabilitation teams with strengths-based strategies to improve engagement, participation, and functional outcomes across settings.
Why LEAD™ Training Matters
Individuals living with dementia continue to benefit from rehabilitation, but care often requires clinicians to adapt how they communicate, design interventions, and support participation. Many rehabilitation professionals report feeling underprepared to navigate cognitive changes, behavioral responses, and engagement challenges within therapy sessions.
LEAD™ training was developed to bridge this gap. It helps clinicians recognize preserved abilities, adjust therapeutic approaches, and respond more effectively to the real-world complexities of dementia care. By strengthening communication, clinical reasoning, and person-centered intervention design, the training supports more meaningful participation, stronger therapeutic relationships, and improved outcomes for individuals living with dementia.
For organizations, LEAD™ offers a shared framework that aligns teams, enhances dementia competency, and supports consistent, strengths-based rehabilitation across care settings.
What LEAD™ Training and Certification Provides
LEAD™ training translates research and clinical expertise into practical, immediately applicable strategies for rehabilitation professionals.
Participants gain:
foundational knowledge in dementia and cognitive aging
strength-based approaches to rehabilitation
communication, cognition, and coping strategies
clinical reasoning tools for real-world care situations
confidence working with individuals living with dementia
Training emphasizes application, reflection, and integration into everyday practice.
The LEAD™ Dementia Rehabilitation Specialist (DRS) certification is a professional pathway for rehabilitation providers seeking advanced preparation in dementia-informed rehabilitation. It recognizes clinicians who demonstrate expertise in:
strength-based rehabilitation approaches
communication strategies
cognitive support and learning principles
coping and behavioral responsiveness
person-centered intervention design
This certification is intended to support professional development, advance clinical practice, and strengthen dementia competency across rehabilitation settings.
Following the successful certification of our inaugural Spring 2026 cohort of 50 rehabilitation professionals, LEAD™ is expanding access to dementia rehabilitation certification through both live and online learning pathways.
Live, In-Person Course
Immersive 2-day weekend experience with live instruction, case discussions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and hands-on application.
Direct interaction with faculty, networking opportunities, and collaborative skill-building.
Real-world case application through active learning.
Networking with rehabilitation professionals.
Ideal for clinicians who value live engagement and in-person professional development.
Includes certification exam and designation as a LEAD™ Dementia Rehabilitation Specialist.
Online Course
Flexible, self-paced learning designed for busy professionals seeking advanced dementia rehabilitation certification from anywhere.
Comprehensive interactive multimedia educational modules, clinical resources, and case applications.
Downloadable resources and clinical tools to enhance daily practice.
Ideal for clinicians seeking convenience without sacrificing rigor or quality.
Includes certification exam and designation upon successful completion.
The LEAD™ Training and Certification Program
The LEAD™ Dementia Rehabilitation Specialist training and certification can be delivered to rehabilitation teams, interdisciplinary groups, and healthcare organizations seeking to strengthen dementia-informed care.
Programs are designed to support:
clinical confidence and skill development
team alignment around a shared framework
practical implementation strategies
improved engagement and participation outcomes
Training formats may include:
on-site workshops
organizational programs
professional development sessions
academic or clinical partnerships
online, self-paced certification is current under development and will be available in Fall 2026
Who This Is For
Rehabilitation professionals
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists seeking practical, strengths-based strategies for everyday care.
Healthcare organizations
Agencies and systems looking to enhance dementia competency, improve outcomes, and support clinicians in delivering person-centered rehabilitation.
Educators & researchers
Faculty and investigators advancing knowledge, training, and implementation in dementia care and rehabilitation science.
Care partners & interdisciplinary teams
Professionals and family members working together to support engagement, dignity, and quality of life.
TESTIMONIALS
“Earlier this year, my team and I had the opportunity to participate in the LEAD™ Framework training. The impact was immediate and profound. Our team emerged more confident, capable, and aligned in their approach for our residents with ADRD.” - Ponte Vedra, FL
“Attending the LEAD training was a genuinely rewarding experience. Dr. Dawson was an engaging speaker, the interdisciplinary discussion was productive, the content was insightful, and I walked away with practical ideas I can actually apply in the field." - Julie, SLP, Orlando FL
"Working with patients who have dementia always seemed like a daunting task. The LEAD course gave me everything I needed to expand my knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide the best possible care. It answered my questions, built a strong foundational knowledge base, and opened the door to a variety of therapeutic approaches — helping me not only connect more deeply with my patients, but also facilitate meaningful functional change" - Annalise, PT, Orlando FL
"This training provided a clear, practical framework for understanding cognitive processing and its impact on dementia care, integrating interdisciplinary insights in a way that felt both intuitive and highly effective. The methods were simple yet powerful, and I left confident in my ability not only to improve care, but to teach others how to deliver truly meaningful, high-quality support to this population." -Adam, SLP, Orlando FL
What’s Inside the LEAD™ Training and Certification
LEAD™ training is organized into six integrated modules that guide clinicians from foundational understanding to real-world clinical application. Each module builds on the next, helping participants translate dementia knowledge into practical strategies that support engagement, participation, and functional outcomes in rehabilitation settings.
The curriculum is designed to be interactive, clinically grounded, and immediately applicable across care environments.
Overview of Dementia
Builds a foundation in cognitive aging, dementia progression, and the functional implications for rehabilitation practice.
Strength-Based Approach to Rehabilitation
Introduces the core philosophy of LEAD™ and how focusing on preserved abilities shifts clinical reasoning, care planning, and therapeutic interaction.
Treatment Strategies to Facilitate Successful Outcomes
Explores practical strategies that support participation, learning, and engagement during rehabilitation.
Identifying and Addressing Barriers to Management of Individuals with Dementia
Examines common cognitive, emotional, environmental, and systemic barriers that influence care and how clinicians can respond adaptively.
Assessment and Developing Therapeutic Goals and Plans of Care
Focuses on translating strength-based principles into evaluation, goal setting, and intervention design.
Documentation and Reimbursement Issues in Dementia Care
Supports clinicians in demonstrating skilled need, communicating clinical reasoning, and aligning documentation with real-world practice requirements.
Training includes case-based discussion, clinical examples, and opportunities to apply concepts to everyday rehabilitation scenarios.
The Opportunity Ahead.
As dementia prevalence grows, rehabilitation professionals are uniquely positioned to support participation, function, and quality of life.
LEAD™ represents an emerging model for dementia-informed rehabilitation — one that bridges research, clinical practice, and person-centered care.
Training and certification are the next steps in advancing this work and equipping clinicians with the tools needed to lead change in their organizations and communities.
The future of dementia rehabilitation will be shaped by clinicians who are prepared, confident, and supported in delivering adaptive, strengths-based care.
LEAD™ training and certification are designed to support that future.
Lead the future of dementia rehabilitation by becoming a LEAD™ Dementia Rehabilitation Specialist (DRS).