NDTA Use to Facilitate Functional Shifts in Children

The task of integrating aspects of postural control, alignment, and respiration in the completion of functional activities can be a challenge for all therapy disciplines working with individuals with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders. This introductory level course is designed for physical and occupational therapists and speech and language pathologists and those assistants who currently work with or desire to work with children presenting with neurological challenges that have resulted in significant physical challenges.

Learning about the NDTATM Contemporary Practice Model and applying it through observation of assessment and treatment demonstrations with practice of treatment strategies in labs will more directly impact postural control and coordination, alignment of body segments and support dynamic postural activity, stability, control, and the ability to participate in their daily living (ADL & IADL) activities. Functional goals and shifts in function will be explored for children with significant physical challenges with emphasis on how they might help the caregiver help them.

Target Audience: This is an excellent course for Physical and Occupational Therapists, as well as Speech Language Pathologists.

Jane Styer-Acevedo, PT, DPT, C/NDT maintains a clinical practice, treating individuals through the lifespan with neurological challenges. She is a master clinician in the areas of pediatrics, neurology, and therapeutic aquatics and has been teaching continuing education workshops, nationally and internationally since 1983. Jane’s scope of teaching includes aquatic and “land based” courses in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, India, Africa, and North, Central, and South America. She is currently an Active Pediatric Coordinator Instructor for the NDTA, teaching continuing education courses of varying lengths related to the NDTATM Contemporary Practice Model. Jane excels in the problem-based approach to promoting functional shifts for individuals through therapeutic intervention from the acute phase, rehabilitation, and community entry or reentry towards lifelong participation, health and fitness.

Disclosure Statement: Jane Styer-Acevedo, PT, DPT, C/NDT has the following financial relationship to disclose: she receives a fee for speaking from Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley. She has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the Theoretical Basis for the NDTATM Contemporary Practice Model as it relatesto their clinical practice.
2. Identify the essential postural, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and sensory/perceptual elements necessary to gain postural control for identified functional goals for a client.
3. Identify the missing elements for improving function in clients neuromuscular and sensorimotor challenges through observation of instructor demonstrations.
4. Recognize the motor and sensory foundations for the use of the trunk, head/neck, legs, arms and hands for transitions and support.

5. Describe & facilitate a minimum of ten treatment strategies on another adult that may be utilized to increase rib cage mobility and expansion, spinal and head/neck alignment, abdominal activity, shoulder & pelvic girdle stability, and balance of flexor/extensor synergies for helping the caregiver.

Day One (6.5 Hours)

8:00- Registration

8:30- Framework for Assessment & Treatment Utilizing the NDTATM Contemporary Practice Model

9:30- Use of the International Classification of Function (ICF) for Assessment & Treatment Towards a Functional Goal

10:30- Break

10:45- Postural Control and Its Impact on Daily Function

11:30- Lab for Proximal Alignment & Stability

12:30- Lunch

1:30- Child Assessment and Treatment Demonstration

2:30-Discussion

3:00- Break

3:15- Lab for Ribcage and Respiratory Function

4:30- End of Day One

Day Two (6.5 Hours)

8:30- Pre-Requisites for Use of Lower Limbs for Support and Mobility

Biomechanical Requirements

9:30- Lab for Proximal Limb Alignment & Functional Use

10:15- Break

10:30- Child Assessment and Treatment Demonstration

11:30- Discussion

12:00- Lunch

1:00- Lab for Distal Limb alignment and Functional Use

3:00- Break

3:15- Lab Continued

4:15- Questions / Discussions

4:30- End of Course

Continuing education credits for O.T./ P.T. will be offered through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.

Early Intervention credits have been requested for 13 contact hours for both days.

1.3 AOTA & ASHA Credits

All participants will receive a course completion certificate upon successful completion of the conference. No certificates will be awarded until course completion is verified on the final date of the conference.

Host or Publisher Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley