Pediatric Therapy Training

Minimizing the Problem of Learned Helplessness Revisited: What Can Parents Do to Help?

Kristen — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:27:06 +0000

By Kristen Birkmeier, MSPT

I am using the term learned helplessness to refer to those children who did not need to, but end up totally dependent on others for all their daily physical needs. In the practice of pediatric therapy, therapists treat some children who are so physically involved that their ability to perform or participate in daily activities will always be extremely limited. There are others who have the potential to function with some independence even though they may require assistance for some activities. Many children can become quite functional and independent despite their physical involvement.

Pediatric therapists have all met some children in their practice who may have been able to function at a higher level, but for various reasons, they do not achieve functional independence. Sometimes this is a result of caregivers who do not know how to set expectations for their children with special needs. Often times it is difficult for parents to imagine how their child can assist with and participate in simple daily activities. They cannot envision how their child could help when being dressed, fed, moved from one position to another, reaching for objects presented in play, or communicating their wants, needs or desires.

In these cases, parents essentially provide for the child’s every need, and do not know how to place expectations for their children to participate and move towards functional independence during daily activities. Pediatric therapists play a very important role in helping parents learn to raise the bar for their children in regard to setting functional goals that lead to independence and self-sufficiency, and helping them to develop the skills needed to teach their child how to more actively engage and participate in daily activities.

All of us start out as tiny [Please register or upgrade to access this training material. Thanks.]

Workshop: Using Balls & Bolster In Your Pediatric Practice

Kristen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:59:55 +0000

I’ll be leading an interactive workshop on how to effectively use balls and bolsters in your pediatric therapy practice in Texas on Saturday the 25th. Details below.

Date: February 25, 2012

Sponsored by: www.kidsdevelopmentalclinic.com

Kids Developmental Clinic – West
11777 Katy Freeway, Suite 260
Houston, Texas 77079

I look forward to seeing everyone there. If you can’t make it then feel free to contact me about scheduling a workshop in your area.

Thanks,
Kristen

Treating the School-age Child: Assessing and Gaining Spinal Mobility

Kristen — Sun, 01 May 2011 10:00:30 +0000

Checking spinal mobility with a 13 year old child with CP spastic quadriplegia in the school environment….

Utilizing a bolster that allows the child to sit with hips and knees flexed at 90 degrees is very helpful in that the equipment will fully support the child’s weight while you assess their spinal flexion curve by having them flex forward against the bolster.

Fig. 1

Spread your hands and place them in the apex of the spinal flexion curvature on the child’s back being careful not to cross over their spine with your hands. Lean into the child’s back with your shoulders over your hands and use intermittent firm pressure downward to gently decrease the flexion curve by gaining flattening of the spinal curve under your hands. Gradually move upward and downward from the apex of the curvature with 4-5x downward pressure through your hands.[Please register or upgrade to access this training material. Thanks.]

Continuing Education Coordinator Lana Phillips Recommends Kristen Birkmeier

Kristen — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:00:41 +0000

Continuing Education Coordinator Lana Phillips recommends that anyone who is looking to bring in a great speaker and trainer for workshops should hire Kristen Birkmeier. She’s easy to work with and always provides great hands-on instruction during the labs. Attendees always have favorable reviews for Kristen’s training sessions.

Pediatric Therapists Balance Challenge with Fun

Kristen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:00:07 +0000

Effective treatment with children who demonstrate neuro-motor dysfunction other neurological involvement requires that as pediatric therapists, we engage them in meaningful activities that are fun, motivating, and challenging. Hitting the target and finding a “happy medium” requires that we have established trust and rapport with both the child and his caregivers, and have come to know what delights, challenges, and motivates the child.

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Lynn Rupert Recommends Pediatric Therapy Training by Kristen Birkmeier

Kristen — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:00:07 +0000

Physical Therapist Lynn Rupert tells other Physical Therapists why they should get training by Kristen Birkmeier of Pediatric Therapy Training.com

Gaining Foot and Ankle Mobility

Kristen — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 02:25:54 +0000

The Use of External Supports in Pediatric Therapy

Kristen — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:00:10 +0000

I’m often asked by participants in my workshops to discuss external supports that I use to augment and extend my handling skills when treating the children in my pediatric physical therapy practice. We all learn tricks of the trade so to speak as we develop and refine our clinical skills throughout our professional careers. Over the years I’ve learned to utilize many supports that work very effectively to enhance a child’s functional ability both during and between therapy sessions. Let’s take a look and I’ll highlight some of my favorite external supports for you…

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Nicole Lauer Recommends Pediatric Therapy Training by Kristen Birkmeier

Kristen — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:00:28 +0000

Nicole Lauer tells us what she liked best about the conference and hands-on workshops by Kristen Birkmeier of Pediatric Therapy Training.

The Importance of Teamwork in Treating the Pediatric Patient Part 1

Kristen — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:00:32 +0000

The beauty of the NDT approach for me has always been the common sense and practical approach to assessment and treatment.

NDT provides us with a rational framework for identifying the sensorimotor impairments that each child demonstrates, tying these impairments to the child’s functional limitations, and designing specific treatment strategies to effectively address the child’s impairments in order to effect positive functional outcomes.

Learning to utilize this analytical process enables you to break down what often appears to be a challenging and overwhelming task for young therapists in assessing and treating children with neuromotor dysfunction. Knowing that you are not alone but a member of a pediatric team of therapists working together to effect positive results is very reassuring.
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© Kristen Birkmeier, MSPT