Evidence-Based Assessment and Treatment for Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (Mar 20, 2027)

Evidence-Based Assessment and Treatment for Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Disabilities is organized by Summit Professional Education and will be held on Mar 20, 2027 in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America.

Description:
As children with neurodevelopmental disabilities progress through the lifespan, orthopedic impairments can be a limiting factor in progress towards functional mobility goals. Manualtherapy interventions are an effective adjunct to traditional pediatric physical therapy and can be useful in caregiver education to increase compliance of home exercise programs. Clinicians can optimize therapy sessions with additional focus on joint mechanics and muscle imbalances that allow the child to more easily develop motor patterns needed to progress through the developmental spectrum. As the experts in the musculoskeletal system, therapists are uniquely positioned to incorporate hands-on techniques into pediatric therapy in order to maximize functional outcomes and progress towards goals.

This workshop will combine intervention strategies commonly seen in the orthopedic setting with a traditional pediatric physical therapy focus on the developmental mobility spectrum. Participants will learn a general overview of how myofascial release, joint mobilizations and passive range of motion can impact progress towards functional goals, and how to incorporate these techniques into treatment sessions.Through a combination of lecture, observation, hands-onpractice and case studies participants will learn hands-on strategies to maximize patient care and time in the clinic. Clinicians will be able to increase both the effectiveness of established therapeutic interventions, as well as to better educate caregivers on how to address muscle imbalances and restrictions at home.

Highlights:

• Immediately improve your client's gross motor outcomes using practical treatment techniques
• Confident assessment and treatment of muscle and joint alignment, symmetry, and recruitment during developmental functional skills
• Applied techniques to address musculoskeletal impairments consistently seen in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities
• Updated evidence and hands-on practice of incorporating manual techniques into therapy sessions
• Effective strategies for therapeutic exercise,functional mobility, and positioning
• Provide improved caregiver education for home programs

Learning Objectives:

1. Review common neurodevelopmental disabilities including common orthopedic impairments affecting functionalmobility throughout the age span.
2. Implement current evidence surrounding hands-on care for pediatrics incorporating manual therapy techniques.
3. Recognize the benefits of myofascial release, joint mobilizations, and passive range of motion in the most common areas of impairments.
4. State joint ROM norms and review arthrokinematics as it relates to neuromuscular impairments and skeletal growth.
5. Demonstrate manual techniques to the ankle, knee, hip,shoulder, neck, and back to promote symmetry, increase ROM, and improve alignment for improved function and postural control.
6. Incorporate caregiver education, positioning, andadjunct therapy to assist in progress towards goals.
7. Evaluate change over time and impact at the activity and participation level including case study review.

Outline:

1. Evidence Surrounding Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
2. Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Overview
   1. Cerebral palsy
   2. ABI
   3. Down syndrome/hypotonia
   4. Genetic syndromes
   5. Metabolic syndromes
   6. Mitochondrial disorder
3. Effective Manual Strategies to Improve FunctionalMobility and Development
   1. Myofascial release overview
   2. Specific area focus: Foot/ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, neck, lumbar spine
   3. Myofascial release practice lab
   4. Joint mobilization and review
4. Joint Mobilization
   1. ROM and arthrokinematics
      1. Muscle tightness and joint contractures
         1. Spasticity/dystonia
         2. Positioning/lack of movement
         3. Growth
      2. Specific areas of focus
         1. Foot/Ankle
         2. Knee
         3. Shoulder
         4. Thoracic Spine
   2. Mobilization Practice Lab
5. Common Clinic Scenarios
   1. Putting it all together
   2. Follow-Up exercises
   3. Case studies
      1. Ankle
      2. Knee
      3. Hip
      4. Shoulder
6. Improving Patient Compliance and Caregiver Education
   1. Take home tips
   2. Positioning
   3. Caregiver education
   4. Adjunct therapy
7. Guidance for Continued Positive Outcome Measures
   1. Showing change over time
   2. Functional goals
   3. Outcome measure review