NEURO-PEDIATRICS HANDLING INTENSIVE: NDT CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE

Friday, March 27, 2026, 7:30 AM - Sunday, March 29, 2026, 3:30 PM, CHOP Main Campus

This intensive 3-day course focuses on enhancing participants' handling skills to improve functional outcomes for children, using the NDTA® Contemporary Practice Model. Guided by the ICF framework, a systems-based approach will be applied—from participation and functional activities to body structures and functions. Movement labs will emphasize the use of precise, graded handling techniques to address prioritized impairments commonly seen in children with neuromuscular conditions. Case studies and live demonstrations will explore functional domains and effective intervention strategies for improving gross motor skills, play, social interaction, activities of daily living (ADLs), and respiration/phonation, all in the context of supporting participation in meaningful life activities. Select labs focus specifically on mobility of the rib cage and spine to enhance range and flexibility, with the goal of improving respiration and phonation, promoting upper extremity function and transitional movements.

1. 1. Illustrate the components of Contemporary NDT and the practice model.
2. 2. Using the ICF format, prioritize areas of need for a given child in the domains of participation, functional activities, and body structures and function while employing a systems-based approach.
3. 3. Compare & contrast levels of therapeutic touch and determine which is effective for a given individual.
4. 4. Analyze a task and relate the components of posture and movement necessary to perform the meaningful occupation.
5. 5. Demonstrate at least 3 hands-on techniques to address impairments in the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, respiratory and sensory systems commonly seen in children with neurological differences.
6. 1. Apply at least 3 intervention techniques to integrate posture and movement into participation and functional activities related to mobility in the environment, respiration/phonation and occupation goals of motor skills, play and ADLs.

COURSE FEE
The registration fee includes registration materials, continental breakfasts, lunches, and breaks.

Registration Fee..................................$675

PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS
A 20” rag doll or similar for practice (must have flexible joints and body), comfortable clothes for movement, and a mat for the floor.

 

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Occupational Therapy (19.00 hours), Physical Therapy (19.00 hours)

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.