Typical Standing & Gait Development, Deviations, & Treatment for the Neurologically Involved Child: Level 1

Course Description

The course is 3 full days and is designed for physical therapists treating pediatric clients with standing and gait disorders. The course emphasizes a knowledge base of typical standing and gait as a basis for treatment. The last day includes opportunities for "hands-on" practices to integrate principles learned in the course. The course examines trunk and lower extremity alignment and motion, and muscle activation in adult gait. The same parameters are analyzed in the developmental progression from early weight bearing through cruising, early ambulation, and the toddler gait. Observational and hands-on labs are included. How commonly seen deviations in the standing and gait development will be analyzed. Practical application to treatment techniques will be included in demonstration labs and short treatment sessions with pediatric clients. The course utilizes a combination of lecture/discussion, observations, and treatment sessions with assistance from both instructors. The course is typically limited to 24 participants to ensure adequate time for maximal learning and instructor feedback.

Course Instructors
Julie Perfect, PT, DPT, PCS & Claudia Kelp Lenane, PT

21.75 Total Course Hours
2.175 Pending CEU's

Registration Fee
$650

Course Objectives

• Identify the interaction of motion and muscle activity of the trunk and lower extremities at each phase of the adult gait cycle 
• Discuss the details of alignment and motions along the pediatric gait continuum
• Describe the interactive elements of each continuum stage and how they relate to each other
• Identify the continuum of pathological weight bearing 
• Discuss how the standing and gait continuum is affected by incorrect center of mass alignment in relation to the base of support
• Identify how the standing and gait continuum is affected by the positional alignment and interactions of the thorax and pelvis
• Discuss what muscle activation is needed to achieve and maintain correct functional alignment in upright postures
• Identify strategies for correcting alignment deviations
• Develop and discuss strategies for progressing clients from early standing through gait
• Discuss the pros and cons of the use of assistive devices 

Day 1

7:30-8:00 Registration
8:00-8:15 Intro & Course Overview
8:15-9:30 Adult Gait Lecture & Lab
9:30-9:45 Break
9:45-11:45 Adult Gait Lecture & Lab
11:45-12:45 LUNCH
12:45-1:45 Pediatric Lecture: Early & Later Standing
1:45-2:00 Demo: Early Standing
2:00-2:15 Demo: Later Standing
2:15-2:30 Break
2:30-3:00 Pediatric Lecture & Lab - Cruising
3:00-3:15 Demo: Cruising
3:15-3:45 Pediatric Lecture & Lab - Early Gait
3:45-4:15 Demo: Early Gait
4:15-5:00 Discussion/Lab

Day 2

7:45-8:00 Check-in
8:00-8:45 Questions & Review
8:45-9:15 Pediatric Gait Lecture & Lab - Late Toddler
9:15-9:30 Demo: Toddler Gait
9:30-10:30 Discussion/Lab
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-11:10 Small Group Observation - Early/Late Stander
11:10-11:30 Whole Group Discussion & Lab
11:30-11:55 Small Group Observation- Cruising
11:55-12:15 Whole Group Discussion & Lab
12:15-1:15 LUNCH
1:15-1:40 Small Group Observation - Early Gait
1:40-2:00 Whole Group Discussion & Lab
2:00-2:45 Whole Group Discussion & Lab
2:45-3:00 Break
3:00-3:30 Discussion - Progression of Normal Early Gait & Lecture - Early Gait Characteristics Compared to Adult Gait Characteristics
3:30-4:30 Lab

Day 3

7:45-8:00 Check-in
8:00-10:00 Lecture Development of Atypical Standing and Gait, Atypical Gait Characteristics, & Remediation
10:-10:15 Break
10:15-11:00 Demonstration
11:00-11:15 Discussion of Demonstration
11:15-11:30 Lecture/Lab - Treatment of Spastic CP
11:30-12:15 Small Groups - Spastic Diplegic CP Treatment
12:15-12:30 Whole Group Discussion & Lab
12:30-1:30 LUNCH
1:30-1:45 Lecture/Lab - Treatment of Quadriplegic CP
1:45-2:30 Small Groups - Spastic Quadriplegic CP
2:30-2:45 Whole Group Discussion & Lab
2:45-3:00 Lecture/Lab - Hemiplegic CP
3:00-3:45 Small Groups - Hemiplegic CP Treatment
3:45-4:00 Whole Group Discussion & Lab
4:00-4:30 Wrap-up

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