Course Description

Postural control is widely accepted as the foundation for all functional motor skills; gross motor, fine motor and oral motor as well as phonation and articulation. However few therapists feel mastery in understanding the interconnections, assessment, clinical reasoning skills of treatment and development of home program strategies to address the various components of this complex phenomenon. This course is a deep dive into this subject; we utilize a contemporary model of postural control grounded in dynamic systems theory as the framework for developing the theoretical understanding and practical skills for 12 individual components as well as discussions of the interconnections between these systems. Each of the 12 learning modules includes an article for pre-reading, a quiz, video lectures and a practical application exercise as well as additional clinical resources. The total course is 10 contact hours, including readings and practical assignments. The purchase price includes 120-day access to the course and a curated library of articles and resources on postural control. $250.00 USD

Course curriculum

    1. Article: Changes in postural control across the life span - A systems approach

    2. Quiz: Changes in postural control across the lifespan - A systems approach

    3. FFF Intro to Postural Control handout

    4. Introduction

    5. Neurotypical Development Highlights

    6. Neurodiverse Development Highlights

    7. Independent assignment: Pondering postural control

    8. Additional resource: Postural variability and sensorimotor development in infancy

    1. Article: Spasticity and its contribution to hypertonia in Cerebral Palsy

    2. Quiz: Spasticity and its contribution to hypertonia in Cerebral Palsy

    3. FFF Muscle Tone handout

    4. Introduction

    5. The Neurological Component

    6. The Mechanical and Dynamic Holding Components

    7. Assessment

    8. Treatment

    9. Independent assignment: Muscle tone

    1. Article: Patterns of postural sway in highly anxious children

    2. Quiz: Patterns of postural sway in highly anxious children

    3. FFF Emotional Regulation handout

    4. Introduction

    5. Typical Development of Emotional Self-Regulation

    6. Development of Dysregulation

    7. Recognizing Dysregulation

    8. Supporting Emotional Regulation

    9. Independent assignment: Emotional regulation

    1. Article: Functional adaptation of tendon and skeletal muscle to resistance training in three patients with genetically verified classic Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

    2. Quiz: Functional adaptation of tendon and skeletal muscle to resistance training in three patients with genetically verified classic Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

    3. FFF Musculoskeletal Components handout

    4. The Importance of Movement Observation

    5. Contribution of the Skin

    6. Assessment

    7. Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA)

    8. Assessing Alignment

    9. Treatment Considerations

    10. Independent assignment: Musculoskeletal components

    11. Additional resource: Modified Ashworth Scale

    12. Additional resource: Tardieu Scale

    13. Additional resource: Beighton Scale

    14. Additional resource: 2D digital photography for child body postural evaluation

    1. Article: Muscle synergies and complexity of neuromuscular control during gait in cerebral palsy

    2. Quiz: Muscle synergies and complexity of neuromuscular control during gait in cerebral palsy

    3. FFF Neuromuscular Synergies handout

    4. Introduction

    5. Assessment: Moro

    6. Assessment: TLR

    7. Assessment: ATNR

    8. Treatment Options

    9. Independent assignment : Neuromuscular synergies

    10. Additional resource: The Correlation between Primitive Reflexes and Saccadic Eye Movements in 5th Grade Children with Teacher-Reported Reading Problems

    1. Article: Effects of inspiratory muscle training in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

    2. Quiz: Effects of inspiratory muscle training in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

    3. FFF Anticipatory and Reactive Mechanisms handout

    4. Anticipatory Mechanism Introduction

    5. Anticipatory Mechanism: Dynamic Core for Kids

    6. Assessing Central Alignment

    7. Treatment: Making A Beginning

    8. Reactive Mechanism Introduction

    9. Reactive Mechanism Assessment

    10. Reactive Mechanism Treatment Part 1

    11. Reactive Mechanism Treatment Part 2

    12. Independent assignment: Anticipatory and Reactive Mechanisms

    13. Additional resource: BESTest

    14. Additional resource: Mini BESTest

    15. Additional resource: Pediatric Balance Scale

    16. Additional resource: Early clinical Assessment of Balance

About this course

  • $250.00
  • 114 lessons
  • 5 hours of video content

Course Objectives

On completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

  • Explain 12 main components of a contemporary model of postural control.

  • Identify a selection of special topics related to each component and their relevance to clinical practice.

  • Choose appropriate treatment techniques to address deficits in each of these 12 components including 4 individual sensory systems.

  • Choose appropriate formal assessments for each of these 12 components.

  • Demonstrate clinical reasoning skills in developing an appropriate assessment and treatment planning to address postural control and functional motor skills for children with different diagnoses.

  • Build a curated collection of articles on postural control.

By purchasing this course, you have read and agree to the terms and conditions for this product. This course is one-viewer per purchase.

Terms and Conditions