Summary

The course is a taught module with supporting tutorials, lectures, and workshops which aim to provide students with theoretical understanding and some practical experience in the specialist physiotherapy management of paediatric neurological and neuromuscular conditions (including chronic, acute, congenital and rare disorders). Lectures will also cover standardised assessments of movement and function in children with neurological and neuromuscular disorders.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

After taking this module, you should be able to:

Critically discuss and clinically recognise typical and atypical human development from conception through to adulthood.
	Understand and evaluate the current knowledge of fundamental anatomy, physiology and the consequences of neuro-pathophysiological processes of the brain, spine, nerves and muscles.
	Understand and have advanced knowledge of the epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, development and prognosis of selected progressive and non-progressive neurological disorders of childhood.
	Critically evaluate standardised assessment techniques and outcome measures regularly used in neuro-physiotherapy, for generic and selected paediatric neurological conditions.
	Critically justify acute and long term medical, surgical and physiotherapy interventions for the management of paediatric neurological conditions, in the context of the evolving evidence base and ethical framework.
	Evaluate the role of the physiotherapist in acute, community and voluntary settings, within the multi-disciplinary team, in managing and caring for children with paediatric neurological conditions, from birth into adult services.
Who is this module for?

The module can be chosen as a core component of the Postgraduate Paediatric Physiotherapy pathways at UCL. You may also undertake the course as a discrete unit for CPD or, if assessed, you may use the 15 credits towards completion of the MSc or Diploma at UCL. You will need to be a qualified physiotherapist, with a degree in physiotherapy at least equivalent to a lower second class Bachelor’s degree and ideally with some post-qualifying clinical experience.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The module will be delivered via a combination of face-to-face lectures, workshops and seminars. Teaching will be facilitated by relevant experts in their field. Online learning activities will be included to support the face-to-face delivery.

Moodle, the UCL virtual learning platform will be used to facilitate communication both between tutors and students, and between the students themselves, and also to provide learning resources and feedback. Lecture capture technology may be used during the module for recording of lectures, so that you can refer back to them during revision periods.

Selected Reading List

Motor control: translating research into clinical practice. Anne Shumway-Cook, Marjorie H. Woollacott. 2017

A systematic review of the clinimetric properties of neuromotor assessments for preterm infants during the first year of life - Alicia J Spittle, Lex W Doyle, Roslyn N Boyd. 2008.

Cerebral palsy: from diagnosis to adult life - Peter Rosenbaum, Lewis Rosenbloom 2012

Mode of Study: 

Face to face

Self-directed learning