NeuroSeminars Pediatric
basic level
A practical course for physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other professionals working with children experiencing neurodevelopmental difficulties. Led by Darren Barnes-Heath, the three-module programme combines neuroanatomy, developmental neurology, assessment of sensory systems, visual and vestibular functions, and primitive reflexes and postural reactions with practical neurological rehabilitation strategies.
About course
A child experiences difficulties with attention, movement coordination or learning new skills. During assessment, you observe atypical responses to sensory stimuli, balance difficulties or problems with tasks requiring visual and motor coordination.
How can you determine which of these observations are relevant to the child's functioning? And where should you begin further assessment?
NeuroSeminars Pediatric is a course focused on developmental neurology and its application in clinical practice with children. Developed by Darren Barnes-Heath, the programme combines neuroanatomical knowledge with practical assessment of nervous system function.
During the course, you will explore the roles of sensory and motor pathways, the cerebral cortex, brainstem and cerebellum in the development of postural control, coordination and sensory processing.
You will learn to perform selected assessments of visual, vestibular and motor functions and observe reflex responses in relation to the child's age and development.
The programme also covers interoception, sensory responsiveness, emotional development and factors influencing a child's functioning.
Across three four-day modules, you will explore visual, balance, coordination and sensorimotor exercises. Particular emphasis is placed on evaluating their applications, adjusting task demands to individual abilities and reassessing the child's responses.
The aim of the course is to develop your ability to integrate knowledge of nervous system development with functional assessment, clinical hypothesis formulation and rehabilitation planning tailored to each child's needs.
Modules
- Module I - 4 days
- Module II - 4 days
- Module III - 4 days
Module I - 4 days
Overstimulation of the nervous
system through manual therapy, adverse treatment responses and how to avoid
these.
• Segmental and central neurological effects of spinal manipulation, mobilisation and soft tissue / myofascial therapies.
• Brainstem and cerebellar influences on muscle tone and postural control.
• Addressing muscle tone imbalances through spinal reflex mechanisms.
• Spinal reflexes and their effects on muscle tone.
• Proprioceptive mechanoreceptors: their properties, how to activate them and how to optimise their function.
• Why mechanoreceptor-based afferent stimulation is so important for the health of the nervous system, for movement coordination and appropriate activation of postural and stabilising muscles.
• Activation of the nervous system through manual therapy:
• Cerebellum: its function in motor control, motor adaptation, postural stabilisation and injury prevention. Cerebellar testing & rehab.
• Examination of the brainstem
• Cranial nerves and their correlation to functional impairments in the brainstem; and how to examine for these deficits.
• Ocular examination – pursuits & saccades
• Cerebral cortex – parietal & frontal
• Sensory tracts
• Motor tracts
• How neurological dysfunction occurs
• Neuroanatomy
• Peripheral mobilisation of joints and (neuro)rehab protocols for common limb conditions (e.g. rotator cuff, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, IT band syndrome, Achilles tendonitis etc.)
Module II - 4 days
Understanding and Stimulating the Sensory Systems and Autonomic Development considering Polyvagal Theory, Trauma and Attachment
• Cortical Asymmetry and functions
• Embryological Brain Development
• Primitive Reflexes – how they develop and what it means when they’re retained
• Literature review of Primitive reflexes, as an assessment and intervention
• Plantar reflex: what it stimulates what inhibits it and functional difficulties when retained
• Babinski reflex: what it stimulates, what inhibits it and functional difficulties when retained
• Benefits of tactile stimulation in babies
• Functional Neuroanatomy of the cortex
• Palmar reflex: what it stimulates what inhibits it and functional difficulties when retained
History – what questions to ask, causative factors for developmental delays
• Hemispheric Stimulation
• Rooting & Suck reflex: what they stimulate what inhibits them and functional difficulties when they are retained
• Babkin reflex
• Interoception and the Insular Cortex including therapeutic options
• Functional Neuroanatomy of the Pons and Medulla including significance of the gut-brain axis
• Functional Neuroanatomy of the Mesencephalon and the Moro Reflex
• Fear Paralysis reflex and Polyvagal Theory
• Trauma and its effects on the developing brain
• Developmental Neuropsychology and Attachment styles
Module III - 4 days
Understanding and Developing the Cerebellum and Vestibular System
• Importance and effects of Vestibular activity / stimulation in Brain Development
• The Primitive and Postural Reflexes modulated by the cerebellum: Tonic Labyrinthine reflex, Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex, Symmetrical Tonic Neck reflex, Spinal Gallant Reflex and Amphibian Reflex. Each of these will be considered including what it stimulates, what inhibits the reflex and functional difficulties when it is retained
• Developmental landmarks with research
• Interventions for each of the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex, Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex, Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex, Spinal Gallant Reflex and Amphibian Reflex. Each will be done as a separate practical where the reflex is demonstrated then performed by everyone and reassessed, interventions will cover the different developmental stages of each reflex so you should have a therapy appropriate to each child you see
• Putting it together, integrating cerebellum and vestibular exercises with the primitive reflexes unilateral or bilateral.
• Bilateral Integration – aiding learning through more complex movements, visual and auditory processing
• Demonstrations and practicals with some of the more useful equipment to engage children and assist their brain development