OVERVIEW

Fighting Gravity: Assessing and Understanding the Impact of Postural Asymmetries in Seating and Wheeled Mobility is organized by Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) / Association canadienne des ergotherapeutes (ACE) and will be held from May 29 - 30, 2025.

Description:
This online workshop will provide an overview of key considerations of assessing and understanding the impact of postural asymmetries to prepare an equipment prescription for clients of any age. The prerecorded lectures will review anatomy landmarking critical for assessing seated posture, as well as MAT assessment techniques to determine range of motion, and resultant reducible or non-reducible postures. Components of the MAT assessment, including the pelvis, trunk, hip, knee, foot, and thigh, will be explored with consideration to how they affect postural outcomes for head positioning in midline. Typical asymmetries of the pelvis and spine found in the seated position will be explored and reviewed with an understanding of how these asymmetries and gravitational factors can negatively affect head positioning through fatigue and pain. Participants will then apply the information learned to case studies with the goal of being ability to complete a thorough and justifiable wheeled mobility and seating prescription based on the assessment data gathered.

Learning objectives:
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

Understand the importance of completing a MAT Assessment.
Recognize the impact of asymmetrical posture on all aspects of seating/wheeled mobility and body function.
Recognize forces related to three-point positioning.
Identify pelvic landmarks related to seated posture.
Apply MAT assessment findings to simulation of corrected or accommodated posture recognize non reducible asymmetrical postures