Physical Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Presented by Liliane Savard
Meet your instructor
Liliane Savard
Liliane Savard, PT, DPT, PCS is a pediatric physical therapist with 20 years of experience working with children and their families in a variety of settings. She has developed an expertise in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is an alumnus of the VT-LEND program (autism specialty) and also completed a…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders
In this chapter, we will review the changes in diagnostic criteria to understand the different terms that are currently being used. We will discuss motor performance challenges related to the diagnosis criteria and historical descriptions of the condition including movement differences. It is important to establish common terminology and basic knowledge of the condition in order to be an effective partner on the inter-professional team serving these children.
2. Motor Skills Development in Autism
In this chapter, we will summarize current knowledge on motor performance in autism. We will look at prevalence of motor delays and development of foundational motor skills across the diagnosis. We will review motor control findings related to gait, balance, postural control, reach and release, and pointing. Motor difficulties in children with autism are often overlooked, however, significant difficulties in this area have the potential to impact other developmental processes and should be systematically addressed.
3. Assessment Following the ICF Model
In this chapter, we will focus on strategies to use in order to conduct a thorough assessment, set realistic goals and document improvement. While impairments at the body structure level maybe significant, a focus on repertoire of movements and participation in life roles will be emphasized. It is important to address children with autism and their family’s priorities and encourage life long active life style.
4. Lets play together!
In this chapter, we will learn how to use evidence-based strategies to positively interact with children with autism and their family and help them achieve their goals. We will explore physical therapy interventions through case examples.
5. Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCP)
In this chapter, we will learn about the importance of interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). There are four core competencies to IPCP and all of them matter to support children and families with ASD to achieve their goals. We will explore examples of interventions where IPCP is especially important.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Medbridge courses.
Who creates Medbridge courses?
We work with industry-leaders, top researchers, and consultants to build content roadmaps that are then structured into courses, filmed, and edited by our production team before being launched to our site.
How often does Medbridge release new courses?
New courses are added monthly and are automatically included in your subscription as they launch.
How often does Medbridge update courses?
Medbridge reviews its courses annually for relevance and to assess if content is up to date. Based on these reviews it may be determined that a course is out of date resulting in the course being re-filmed or retired, if the content is no longer needed (e.g. a replacement course already exists, the concepts are no longer best practice, etc.).
How many courses does Medbridge offer?
We have over 3,000 accredited courses and we are continually updating our library with new courses. Check our course library for the most up-to-date count for your discipline.
Are there any additional fees for taking a Medbridge course?
There are no additional fees for taking a Medbridge course, obtaining a course certificate of completion, earning CEUs as a subscriber, or accessing any of the additional tools your subscription may include.
Is there a limit to the number of courses I can take?
There is no limit to the number of courses you can take as a subscriber! As a subscriber to Medbridge, you have unlimited access to over 3,000+ accredited CE courses.
If you are a Premium subscriber, you also have unlimited access to our Patient Engagement Tools such as the Home Exercise Program, Patient Education Library, Orthopedic Exam Tests, and Manual Therapy Techniques. We have over 7,000 exercises and over 650+ videos and handouts of patient education resources with more exercises and patient education added to the library based on subscriber feedback, volume of request and specialities.
What is your refund policy?
You are eligible for a refund provided your request is received within 30 days of your subscription purchase and your account has no activity.