Course Description

Designed for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Therapists, this course delves into the intricate nuances of approaching infant handling with a ‘whole child’ approach by focusing on key aspects of developmental milestones, sensory and neurological systems, and developing child-friendly handling techniques.

Course Schedule

8:00-8:30  Sign In, Introductions

8:30-9:30: Objective 1: Understand typical infant and toddler development:

• Musculoskeletal alignment and development pre- and post-natally
• Sensory and neurological system development, effects of typical sensory-motor input and feedback on developmental skills acquisition

9:30-10:15: Objectives 2 & 3: Identify atypical development from 0-3 years

• Considerations for neurological conditions/deficits
• Impact of atypical alignment, sensory awareness and/or muscle strength on developmental skills
• Identify how underlying sensory awareness and regulation interacts with self-generated movement and routine positioning/handling contributes to development 

10:15-10:30: Break

10:45-11:15: Objective 4: Learn importance of continuous assessment of alignment, postural control, and tolerance of sensory input for effective treatment 

• Use of observation checklists
• Understand impact of alignment for fine motor control, speech, swallowing/chewing, balance and ambulation - demonstration
• Recognize how underlying sensory awareness/regulation interacts with self-generated movement - demonstration of visual, auditory and tactile impairment
• Gain awareness of the contribution of routine positioning and handling by caregivers on development 

11:15-12:30: Objective 5: Define handling, postural control, hand placement, and basics for movement facilitation

• What is Handling?
• Key Points of Control
• Optimal Hand position and the power of touch
• Goals of Movement Facilitation: Where do you start, where do you want to go, and how are you going to get there?
• Handling basics for tone differences (high tone, low tone). 

12:30-1:30 BREAK FOR LUNCH

1:30-3:00: Objective 6 LAB: Apply handling strategies to infants/toddlers: 

• With limited head/trunk control
• Who are learning transitional movements
• Transitioning to early walkers
• Apply handling techniques and strategies in small groups/with a partner to facilitate various movements including: 
• Improving head/trunk control
• Transitional movements (sitting to quadruped, quadruped to tall kneel, pull to stand, stand to floor, etc)
• Improved UE function
• Improved Speech/feeding/breath function

3:00-3:30 Objective 7 LAB: Differentiate handling approaches for tone differences (high tone vs. low tone) and across various patient examples

• Importance of sensory input matching individual needs

3:30-4:45: Objective 8 LAB: Develop interdisciplinary strategies for effective patient care, using observation checklists for assessment.

• Observe different age groups, typical and atypical infants and toddlers 
• Create priority lists of considerations for each example to optimize speech, occupational and physical therapy, such as:
• Modifications for alignment and postural control
• Enhance sensory tolerance through graded input 
• Adjust demands to child’s capabilities
• Child-led, therapist-directed play based activities

4:45-5:00 Wrap up, complete course survey and sign out