March 25-26, 2023: Evidence-Based Aquatic Therapy for the Pediatric Therapist

Description

A 16 hr. training module packed into 2 days. Many insurers are beginning to deny aquatic therapy for the pediatric client, in part, because clinicians do not understand how to make the case for aquatics. Stop extolling the virtues of aquatic therapy for the pediatric client… without providing tangible evidence-based support. Leave this dynamic course understanding how, when, where and under what circumstances to provide aquatic therapy… and how to justify that choice to the world. Don’t just understand the science; be able to perform the EBAT treatments on Monday morning. Course includes information designed to help parents and caregivers incorporate water-based interventions into daily life. Includes “turn key” in-service and marketing materials to help expand your caseload.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. List the indications and precautions in the use of Aquatic Sensory Integration (ASI), Watsu®, the Bad Ragaz Ring Method, aquatic adaptations of balance tests, flow-through mat work, games, and functional skills training for the pediatric patient populations. Demonstrate an understanding of the underlying principles behind each aquatic therapy treatment approach (lecture, lab)

2. Understand the unique benefits of the aquatic environment, and use aquatic therapy techniques to increase strength, improve ROM, improve oral motor skills, normalize sensory input (vestibular, visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive), normalize tone, improve head and trunk righting, encourage play, verbalization and social interaction, improve posture, weight-bearing, balance, gait and proprioception, normalize transitional movements (lab)

3. Create a cohesive evidence-based argument supporting the use of aquatic therapy for the pediatric patient. Make appropriate aquatic therapy treatment choices (using the APTA’s Guide to Physical Therapy Practice as a springboard) (lecture, lab)

4. Be able to locate and summarize evidence-based research to further address why aquatic therapy could be appropriate. Create supportive bibliographies using the Aquatic Health Research Database of over 8,000 articles related to aquatic therapy (lecture)

5. Understand in what situations group therapy is appropriate. Understand supervision requirements for aquatic therapy. Understand the need to transition aquatic therapy to land based therapy (lecture)

6. Perform a pediatric inservice for rehab staff or a referring physician using “turn key” aquatic inservice modules provided in class (land lab)

7. Populate websites, brochures and onsite bulletin boards using “turn key” aquatic evidence-based marketing modules provided in class (land lab)

8. Discuss the differing documentation needs of interested parties: physicians, payers and patients. Use documentation to justify providing intervention in an aquatic environment (lecture)

9. Working with a partner, design and implement an evidence-based aquatic progression for 1-2 of the following:

· Non-progressive neurological disorder (e.g. cerebral palsy)

· Progressive neurological disorder (e.g. muscular dystrophy, SMA)

· Pervasive developmental disorder (e.g. autism, Rett Syndrome)

· Failure-to-thrive and developmental delay

· Cognitively Impaired

CEU Approval for PT:

ATU courses are preapproved in: Minnesota (Board of PT), Wisconsin (state chapter of APTA)

ATU courses should also automatically satisfy the requirements for Continuing Education in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming by meeting statute requirements or by already being approved through other state PT boards or APTA chapters. You should always verify this information with your state prior to attending.

For all other states, with the exception of California and New York, individuals may be able to file an application with a small fee ($10-$50) for CE approval. Pay attention to submission deadlines for approval. 

California and New York do not appear to allow self-approval of continuing education.

CEU Approval for OT: 

Info available soon.

Target Audience

PT's, PTA's, OT's, COTA's, SLP's, and other aquatic professionals.

Schedule

Day 1

7:30-8:00 Registration

8:00-12:00 Lecture

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-5:00 Pool lab

Day 2

8:00-12:00 Lecture

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-4:45 Pool lab

4:30-5:00 Wrap-up and questions

Lecture Location

Holiday Inn and Suites Hudson, WI

181 Carmichael Road

Hudson WI 54016

Lab Location

St. Croix Therapy

742 Sterbenz Drive

Hudson, WI 54016