Graduate Diploma in Neurological Rehabilitation [Paediatrics]

Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Neurological Rehabilitation

Program under review

For advice, please contact Prof. Barby Singer

2013 Clinical Residency
22 July - 16 August (Semester B2)

The Centre for Musculoskeletal Studies is pleased to offer the Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Neurological Rehabilitation. The course is offered to qualified physiotherapists who wish to update their theoretical knowledge and skills in the rehabilitation of infants, children and adolescents with neurological disorders.

In keeping with recent trends in postgraduate professional education, the Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Neurological Rehabilitationprovides the opportunity for a period of intensive study in Perth, with related units available in external study mode. The course content recognises the inter-disciplinary nature of the clinical specialties in paediatric neurological rehabilitation and will provide graduate physiotherapists with tuition in advanced clinical reasoning as well as assessment and treatment skills which have relevance to contemporary rehabilitation practice.

You may download guidelines and application forms from the Clinical Program section of this web site.

Teaching faculty

The on campus units run concurrently with the Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Neurological Rehabilitation which is coordinated by Prof Barby Singer, PT, PhD, FACP.

Course Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Neurological Rehabilitation comprises six units. Four units are undertaken via external studies and two units require attendance on campus during a four week full-time non-standard semester (Semester B2) in Perth during July - August.

Materials covered during the four week on campus component of the course include anatomical review, clinical reasoning based upon patient case presentations, assessment and 'hands-on' skills training for a range of impairments, peer teaching and specialist lectures from over 40 different presenters including paediatricians, developmental paediatricians, neonatologists, radiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, paediatric rehabilitation medicine specialists, and allied health professionals who have advanced clinical competence in the habilitation and rehabilitation of infants, children and adolescents with neurological conditions.

The theoretical component of the course is undertaken through four external study units which are completed by assignment. Two of these units deal with the secondary consequences of neurological disease/dysfunction on other body systems, whilst the other two focus on neural plasticity and the implications of this area of research for physiotherapy practice. Most students enrol in two external units per semester as they are generally working full time while they undertake this component of the course. It is advisable, but not essential, to complete the external study units prior to the on campus component.

On-campus Units - in Perth during Semester B2 - July - August

PTMT5501 Clinical Reasoning in Neurological Rehabilitation
PTMT5502 Applied Neurological Rehabilitation

External Distance Learning Units - may be commenced prior to on-campus units

PTMT5607 Neuromuscular sequelae of central nervous system dysfunction in children
PTMT5608 Cardio-respiratory and metabolic sequelae of central nervous system dysfunction in children
PTMT5609 Neural recovery and repair in the immature CNS
PTMT5610 Neural plasticity – implications for paediatric clinical practice

Unit Content

PTMT5501 Clinical Reasoning in Neurological Rehabilitation
This unit focuses on developing clinical reasoning and evaluation procedures. This will include revision of anatomy of the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, and in-depth review of clinical reasoning theory, motor learning, how children learn, approaches to assessment and interpretation of clinical findings, goal setting and evaluation of the evidence base for paediatric neurological rehabilitation. An overview of a variety of diagnostic methodologies that contribute to clinical reasoning in neurological rehabilitation including real-time ultrasound, neuroimaging (fMRI, PET, CT), and electrophysiological testing (EMG, EEG) will be provided.

PTMT5502 Applied Neurological Rehabilitation
The aim of this unit is to develop participants' clinical skills in treatment planning and neurological rehabilitation and to develop a greater understanding of the key roles played by other members of the multidisciplinary team. This unit will address management of a range of impairments including: hypertonia, movement disorders and impaired motor control, oro-motor dysfunction, visual dysfunction, osteoporosis and issues related to growth and development in the presence of motor impairment. In addition, models of service provision will be discussed. Clinical demonstration and case studies will be used in addition to supervised skills training to facilitate integration of skills and knowledge into the clinical setting.

External [distance learning] Study Units

PTMT5607 Neuromuscular sequelae of central nervous system dysfunction in children
This unit provides a structured review of identification, assessment and treatment of neuromuscular sequelae of congenital and child-onset central nervous system disorders. This includes factors contributing to adaptive change in muscle, such as weakness, increased muscle stiffness and reduced extensibility, as well the pathophysiology of abnormal muscle activation (spasticity and dystonic overactivity). Evidence underpinning interventions for these impairments, such as strength training and stretching programs, is reviewed.

PTMT5608 Cardio-respiratory and metabolic sequelae of central nervous system dysfunction in children
This unit provides a structured review of assessment and treatment of cardiorespiratory and metabolic sequelae of congenital and child-onset central nervous system disorders. This includes inactivity related deconditioning and evidence for reconditioning programs, as well as incidence and management of disorders of bone mineral density in populations with neurological disorders. The long-term effects of disability and the interaction between growth, development, ageing and neurological impairment are examined and a case is made for better health promotion and strategies to enhance self management for those living with long term neurological conditions.

PTMT5609 Neural recovery and repair in the immature CNS
This unit provides an overview of evidence that the human central nervous system is capable of regeneration and reorganisation in response to maldevelopment or injury and subsequent rehabilitation/experience. Recent developments in neuroimaging have allowed in vivo studies of the normally developing central nervous system as well as it’s adaptation to maldevelopment or injury, and it’s response to specific training paradigms. Many pharmacological and cell based strategies to augment these processes of repair are available or under development. An understanding of this literature is critical to physiotherapists involved in the rehabilitation of children living with neurological impairment, to assist the therapist to provide optimal conditions to drive neuroplastic changes via evidence based, individualised, sensorimotor training programmes.

PTMT5610 Neural plasticity - implications for paediatric clinical practice
The unit reviews the efficacy of a number of therapeutic interventions that may be incorporated into paediatric neurological rehabilitation and the evidence that neural plasticity, occurring in response to these specific forms of training/activity, contributes to eventual recovery. The interventions explored include, but are not limited to, ‘forced use’ (utilising constraint induced movement therapy and/or partial weight support treadmill training); adjuncts to movement re-education such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation, bimanual training paradigms with or without robotic assistance, mental practice and virtual reality training; and priming therapies such as non-invasive brain stimulation utilising repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).