The Therapeutic Benefits of Hippotherapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Course overview

This online course on Cerebral Palsy (CP) and hippotherapy is designed for rehab professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of this powerful therapeutic modality. It offers an unparalleled look into the integration of hippotherapy into the comprehensive care of children with CP, focusing on a specific child's musculoskeletal and developmental challenges from birth through age 10. The course provides real-life application for therapeutic skills through detailed, on-site demonstrations filmed in both clinical and barn settings. You will witness a therapist's expert navigation of clinical and hippotherapy sessions, incorporating a range of activities like riding backward, figure eights, and various ball tosses. These activities are designed to target key areas such as core stability, coordination, tone regulation, and vestibular function. The curriculum also includes an introduction to Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFOs) and Dynamic Ankle-Foot Orthoses (DAFOs). You will learn how these devices are utilized within this case study to support and improve the child's gait and mobility. In addition, the course explores the use of other assistive devices, including gait walkers and Lofstrand crutches, and how they are integrated into the child's therapy plan to promote independence. We'll delve into the rationale behind each activity's benefits and explore the use of standardized assessment tools, including the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2) and the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), to quantify and track patient progress over a decade. Join us as we bridge theory and practice to enhance your clinical skills in treating pediatric patients with CP in this unique and exciting environment. This course is applicable for PT, PTA, OT, COTA, SLP, and AT