PT MGMT PEDIATRIC CONDITIONS

The American Physical Therapy Association Vision 2020 states that graduates will have the knowledge and skills for general physical therapist practice with patients of various ages from birth to late adulthood. This 16-week clinical science course focuses on motor development and physical therapy management of pediatric disabilities and chronic health conditions from birth to age 21 years. The course introduces students to typical and atypical motor development and the influence of body systems on the acquisition of motor skills during infancy, childhood and adolescence. This information is used as a basis for examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis and intervention planning within the frameworks of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Students administer and interpret norm- and criterionreferenced measures specific to pediatrics in order to identify impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions. The plan of care is considered in a broad context including direct interventions, coordination, communication, and consultation and considers personal (child’s culture, family, personality, and age) and environmental factors (impact of legislation, practice setting, team collaboration, and service delivery models). A problem-based format with complex patient cases serves as the basis for developing an evidence-based plan of care.