
Water-Based Interventions for the Pediatric Therapist:
An Aquatic Therapy Primer
Location: Hudson, WI (Located approximately 30 minutes from Minneapolis, MN)
Dates: October 3-4, 2020 SOLD OUT, NO MORE SPOTS AVAILABLE
Hours: 16 hours
Credits through FSBPT: 16 CCUs
Instructor: Kiki Dickinson, MPT, PAqI
ATU Course #: PS801
Cost: $595
Click to Register and Pay
Description
Aquatic Therapy University: Aquatic Therapy for the Pediatric Therapist
This 16 hour in-service is designed to rapidly introduce pediatric therapists to motor, sensory and play-based interventions in water. It will provide a “sampler lab” of the most clinically useful elements of popular aquatic specialty techniques such as: Aquatic Sensory Integration (ASI), Watsu®, the Bad Ragaz Ring Method, flow-through mat work, and functional skills training and will briefly examine research which supports aquatic therapy for the child and explore contraindications, including prevailing precaution myths. Course will be co-instructed by a PT and OT.
Learning Objectives
1. Describe why aquatic therapy may be the treatment of choice if (a) the patient has poor head or trunk righting, (b) the patient has spasticity or rigidity, (c) the patient has abnormal reflexes; or (d) the patient has difficulty with transitions (lecture).
2. Recite 3-4 aquatic precautions and contraindications specific to the pediatric patient (lecture).
3. Describe 1-2 ways that the goals of water-based OT, PT, and speech should differ. Outline 1-2 ways to divide labor and schedule pool-time when all three disciplines are involved in a child’s care (lecture)
4. Describe a successful way to co-treat in water and be reimbursed for the services provided (lecture)
5. Locate what payers (including Medicaid) have to say about aquatic therapy for the pediatric patient (lecture)
6. Make a 3 minute verbal “case” for providing aquatic therapy services for a pediatric patient. Be able to identify and locate supportive research to bolster case (lecture).
7. Perform 3-4 aquatic therapeutic movements, tasks, or exercises designed to:
- increase strength
- improve ROM
- improve oral motor skills
- normalize sensory input (vestibular, visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive)
- normalize tone
- improve head and trunk righting
- encourage play, verbalization and social interaction
- improve posture, weight-bearing, balance, gait and proprioception
- normalize transitional movements (lab)
8. Demonstrate 1-2 aquatic tasks or activities from each of the following specialty techniques (as each relates to the pediatric client):
- Adapted play
- Aquatic Sensory Integration (ASI)
- Aquatic manual therapy and stretching
- Bad Ragaz Ring Method
- Rotational control tasks (based on the Halliwick Concept)
- Swim stroke modification
- Watsu (lab)
10. With a partner, design and implement a 15-minute aquatic treatment plan (including equipment selection) for 1-2 of the following:
- Non-progressive neurological disorder (e.g. cerebral palsy)
- Progressive neurological disorder (e.g. muscular dystrophy)
- Pervasive developmental disorder (e.g. autism)
- Failure-to-thrive and developmental delay
- Trauma (lab)
Target Audience
PT's, PTA's, OT's, COTA's, SLP's, and other aquatic professionals.
Schedule
Day 1
8:00-8:30 Registration
8:30-12:00 Lecture
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:45 Pool lab
3:45-4:00 Energy break
4:00-5:30 Pool lab
5:30-5:45 Wrap-Up and Questions
Day 2
8:00-12:00 Lecture
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Pool lab
3:30-3:45 Energy break
3:45-5:15 Pool lab
5:15-5:30 Wrap-up and questions
Lecture Location:
Holiday Inn and Suites Hudson, WI
181 Carmichael Road
Hudson WI 54016
715.245.4040
Pool Lab Location:
St. Croix Therapy
742 Sterbenz Drive
Hudson, WI 54016
Transportation:
Lodging:
***Discounted rate and lecture portion of the course being held at hotel listed below***
Holiday Inn and Suites Hudson, WI
181 Carmichael Road
Hudson WI 54016
715.245.4040
***For discounted rate call hotel and ask for "The Hudson Hospital rate" which is currently $90.00/day. Make reservations early before hotel is sold out.***
Hotel Link:
There are several other hotels near class location:
Best Western Plus
Comfort Suites
Hampton Inn and Suites
AmericInn by Wyndam

Meet your Instructor
Kiki Dickinson, MPT, PAqI
Kathleen (Kiki) Dickinson, MPT graduated from the College of St. Catherine with a master's degree in physical therapy. Kiki has over 25 years of pediatric and adult physical therapy experience at St. Croix Therapy (Therapeutic Services for Children and Adults) in Hudson, Wisconsin. She has extensive experience developing and implementing aquatic therapy programs for a diverse pediatric population which includes working with children of all ages including the birth-to-three population, as well as the ortho-neuro adult population.
Cancellation Policy
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Programming Changes: Due to unforeseen circumstances, ATU schedules, instructors and/or meals may need to be changed without notice.
Cancellation of Class By ATU: ATU classes may be cancelled for low registration up to 30 days prior to the class. In this event, a full refund of class tuition or a voucher to another class will be issued to students. ATU does not reimburse change fees, airline tickets or any other travel related expenses, so please do not make plans until you receive the 30-day confirmation prior to the conference.
Cancellation of Class by Student: A refund, minus a $175 reseating fee, will be given for student cancellations made prior to 30 days before the conference. No refunds will be given for cancellations received after 30 day deadline. In the event of a student cancellation after the deadline, enrollment fees may be transferred to other ATU courses within 12 months at no charge.