Adaptive Strengthening Activities for Children with Motor Dysfunction

Strengthening is a key component of functional movement which is generally decreased in children with neuromuscular deficits. Follow through and practice of strengthening activities can be fun and creative. This encourages children to perform these activities on a regularbasis to form lifelong habits to improve and maintain function. This course will examine why children with neuromuscular issues may develop alternate movement patterns due to decreased strength. Participants will also apply adaptive alternatives to traditional strengthening techniques that can be done either individually or in a group setting using bothopen and closed chain activities. These adaptations will include Pilates, Yoga, traditional exercise, and the therapyball for simple exercise routines that are fun and motivating. Participants will be able to immediately incorporate the activities presented and discussed into daily treatmentsessions.

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Athletic Trainers

Highlights

• Best practices for strengthening in children with neuromuscular dysfunction
• Immediately apply adapted strengthening activities for gross and fine motor deficits