Hosted by Therapeutic Services, Inc. (New York)
Registration link coming soon!
May 6, 2025 (8:00 AM-3:00 PM EST)
Pediatric Pelvic Health: Dynamic Core for Kids Edition is here! Continence and constipation are challenges for many of the families encountered by pediatric PTs and OTs. However, few rehabilitation professionals feel confident to address these pediatric pelvic health needs, and lack relevant tools to address them in the context of their clinical setting. Standard pelvic floor-centered, behavioral and environmental interventions may not be suitable for the needs of neurodiverse children (and many neurotypical kids). A new model of pediatric pelvic health is needed.
This online offering (day one of a 2-day hybrid course*) introduces the pediatric and pelvic health rehab professional to a dynamic systems framework for assessment and intervention for pediatric pelvic health challenges. This whole child perspective offers tangible tools and intervention strategies that harness the interconnection of postural control, neuromuscular, movement, and pressure systems to support continence and bowel regularity in children. In addition, interconnections between the neural networks involved in sensory processing, emotional regulation, and continence systems in both neurotypical and neurodiverse populations will be discussed to deepen provider understanding of a global approach.
Concepts basic to the Dynamic Core for Kids approach will be applied to harness breath mechanics as a gateway into the intertwined central control, neural, and continence systems. Providers will be introduced to relevant strategies that complement their existing skill set, along with outcome measures, parent intake, and assessment form suggestions to support clinical implementation. Participants will be equipped to address pediatric pelvic health in conjunction with other treatment priorities while honoring the unique circumstances of families and children with developmental, motor, and sensory differences. Clinical reasoning will be offered to support application across the continuum of needs for both neurodiverse and neurotypical children from birth to adulthood.
This course is designed for both experienced and newer clinicians who are new to pediatric pelvic health, providing foundational knowledge and skills specific to this specialized area.
Course Level: Introductory
*(This is Day One of the full, hybrid 2-day course. Day Two is in-person and lab focused. Day Two is not being offered by this host-contact admin@juliewiebept.com for future Day Two opportunities )
Objectives: At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the prevalence of continence issues in 3 different pediatric populations.
- Practice trauma informed care in speaking, assessment, intervention, and gaining consent from neurodiverse children and their families.
- Debate differences in neurotypical and neurodivergent development of the anticipatory postural control system (aka “deep core”) inclusive of relationships between the diaphragm, transverse abdominis, pelvic floor, and intra-abdominal pressure systems.
- Investigate breath mechanics strategies that link the anticipatory postural control and continence control systems as a foundation for three therapeutic activities.
- Demonstrate modifiable lifestyle factors that can have an impact on continence in both neurotypical and neurodivergent children.
- Develop 3 constipation intervention strategies for parents to help prevent nighttime accidents.
- Describe the interconnections between neurophysiologic, sensory processing, and emotional regulation systems as they relate to pediatric pelvic health.
- Gain intake and assessment tools that reveal a clinical profile that reflects the status of multiple systems that have a role in pediatric pelvic health concerns.
Co-taught by Shelley Mannell, PT, BSc, BHSc and Julie W. Wiebe, PT, DPT