APTA Section on Pediatrics

E-NEWS Update
January 25, 2016

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In This Issue
President's Message: January 2016
In the spirit of the new year, and as I begin my final year as President, I wanted to share an update about the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association as we all look forward to the many opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
  • As always, we all continue to be dedicated to providing high-quality physical therapy services for children and families. This is reflected in the Section Vision: Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience for all children, adults with developmental disabilities, and their families.
  • Here in Pittsburgh, we were thrilled to host more than 700 friends and colleagues, who traveled to our great city to participate in a fantastic Section on Pediatrics Annual Conference (SoPAC) this past November. The programming and networking opportunities were exceptional, as was the spectacular fall scenery around Point State Park and the nearby restaurants in Market Square. Please come back to visit sometime soon. Information on next year's SoPAC can be found on the SoPAC website (www.sopac.us).
  • During the upcoming Section Business Meeting at APTA's Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Anaheim, the Section membership will vote to approve changes to the Section bylaws, which include the proposal to change the name of the Section on Pediatrics to the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Inc. Background information on this and a member survey requesting feedback can be found on the Section's website .
  • Two clinical practice guidelines are in development: one for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder, and the second on the role of Gait Analysis in the Management of Children with Cerebral Palsy. In addition, in 2016 funds have been set aside to support the development of comprehensive systematic reviews of the literature as an important precursor to the clinical practice guideline process. Please monitor the Section website (www.pediatricapta.org/) and E-News for more information about this initiative. You may also contact the Section (pediatrics@apta.org) if you are interested in forming an author group for either a systematic review or a clinical practice guideline.
  • Funds have been set aside to support Education Summit II in 2016. This Summit will occur in November, just before SoPAC. The primary goal is to develop collaborative, multi-site research projects aimed at building evidence for professional/entry-level pediatric physical therapy education. Additional information can be found later in this E-News.
  • The Section continues to implement a number of initiatives aimed at supporting the translation of evidence-based knowledge and information into clinical practice. This certainly includes exceptional onsite and online continuing education. In addition to SoPAC, onsite courses included the Innovations in School-Based Physical Therapy Practice Course and the Advanced Clinical Practice in Pediatrics Course. The Section also hosted the following online course through APTA's Learning Center: Laws and Policies of School-based Physical Therapy. Visit the Professional Development area of the Section website for more information. In addition, the Knowledge Translation Committee works closely with the conference planners to support the ability of attendees to change and improve practice and to monitor our effectiveness in this area.
  • We are all looking forward to IV STEP in Columbus, OH, July 14-19, 2016. The STEP conferences are co-sponsored by the Section on Pediatrics and the Neurology Section and are held about once every 10 years. IV STEP will focus on four "Ps": Prevention, Prediction, Plasticity, and Participation as they relate to the roles and responsibilities of today's physical therapists. Personal interactions and dialogues will be an integral part of the conference. Active engagement learning experiences will assist participants in exploring, understanding, and applying these principles to their daily practice. IV STEP attendees are expected to serve as change agents for the profession. Please visit the IV STEP website for more information and to register for this seminal conference.
  • The Section continues to support the creation of new research evidence and will provide $90,000 to fund research grants in 2016; applications are due April 1 and September 1 each year. This reflects our collective strong commitment to building the evidence base for the services we provide. For more information, visit the Members/Research & Grants area of the Section website.
  • Another successful Research Summit (Research Summit IV) was held in October 2015: Innovations in Technology for Children with Brain Insults: Maximizing Outcomes. Look for information about the outcomes of this Summit on the website (http://pediatricapta.org/.) and in the Section E-News.
  • A work group within the Payment, Policy & Advocacy Committee, in conjunction with the State Government Affairs Department in APTA, recently completed an important document (Pediatric PT & Medicaid Advocacy Agenda) to aid members in advocating for Medicaid services for the children and families that we serve. Please visit the reimbursement page of the Section's website for this document and for other valuable resources related to this critical issue.
  • Ann VanSant, PhD, PT, FAPTA, has retired as editor of Pediatric Physical Therapy after 20 years of extraordinary service and leadership. Linda Fetters, PhD, PT, FAPTA, collaborated with Dr VanSant over this past transition year and officially took the reins as of January 1, 2016.
  • As of December 31, 2015, we have $792,133.75in the reserve fund for purchase of the Journal title, which is more than 80% of the total needed. This is amazing progress in a very short amount of time, and is due in no small part to the hard work of the current Section leadership and the many talented and dedicated members who also do the hard work each year of supporting and sustaining the Section. The fundraising committee has also been very creative and effective in building this fund. The finish line is almost in sight- please consider making a contribution to this critical effort via the Section webpage.
  • The Social Media Subcommittee has been very active on Twitter (@APTASoP), Facebook, and Pinterest. Join the conversation by clicking on the Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest logos on the Section's homepage or by posting on the Section listserves.
  • The Section has 7 active and vibrant Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Visit the website to learn about and join a SIG.
  • The Section's mentoring program is now in its fourth year. More than 80 Section members participate in this program, which offers mentoring opportunities for Section members in all areas of practice: clinical, academic, research, and administrative. It is open to new professionals and experienced professionals alike. Visit the SOP website for more information.
The Section on Pediatrics has accomplished many great things over the past 40+ years and is a vital resource to guide practice for the children and families that we serve. I am very honored and humbled to serve as President and to collaborate with all of you to sustain this tremendous legacy. It is inspiring to work with so many passionate and dedicated colleagues and friends, and I look forward to doing what I can over the next year as President and over the next many years as an active member to continuing this important work.
 
Joe Schreiber
President, Section on Pediatrics
American Physical Therapy Association
Section on Pediatrics Bylaws Changes: Includes Proposed Name Change to "Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Inc"
The edited draft bylaws of the Section on Pediatrics have been posted at www.pediatricapta.org under Section News. These bylaws will be voted on at the Section on Pediatrics Business Meeting on Friday, February 19, 6:30-8:30 pm, during APTA's Combined Sections Meeting. Included in these bylaw edits are the following proposed changes:  
  • Changing the name of the "Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, Inc," to the "Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Inc" (additional background on this can be found below).
  • Providing PTAs the right to a full (not half) vote, per amendments to APTA's documents at the House of Delegates 2015.
  • Removing reference to the membership meeting at APTA's NEXT conference, since that hasn't occurred for a number of years.
  • Adjusting election timeline, per suggestions by APTA's Parliamentarian.
The pursuit of the name change was based on a recommendation to the Board of Directors during the Section's Strategic Planning Meeting in September. A survey was sent via E-News to all Section members in early December, which found that 88.55% of responders were in support of the name change, and a subsequent vote during the Interim Board Call on December 15. The name change is pending a vote by the APTA Section presidents and approval by the APTA Board of Directors/House Officers. Should the Section presidents and APTA Board/House Officers both approve the name change, the final vote by SOP Membership will occur at the SOP Business Meeting at CSM. If the name change is approved by SOP membership, there will be a subsequent vote on a motion to amend the Section's Articles of Incorporation to officially change the name of the Section.   

Please note that changing the Section's name does not affect the Section's relationship with APTA; the Section will remain a component of APTA, as it has always been. The SOP Name Change survey will remain open until January 31, 2016, to allow us to continue to gather feedback. If you have questions on other aspects of the bylaws, please contact pediatrics@apta.org. Further background and financial impact can be found on the SOP website at  www.pediatricapta.org under Section News.
Announcing SOP Education Summit II: Applications Due March 1
Both novice and experienced pediatric physical therapy academic and clinical educators, including clinical instructors, are encouraged to apply to attend the Section's Education Summit II, which will extend the momentum of Education Summit I to achieve an evidence base for pediatric professional physical therapy education. The Education Summit will bring together a select group of approximately 18-20 participants for 2 days of working meetings to develop a Section on Pediatrics Education Research Agenda to establish empirical evidence for entry-level pediatric professional physical therapy education. The group will include several experts in the scholarship of teaching and learning, large cohort studies, and educational research design. These experts, along with the planning committee, will facilitate the work of Section on Pediatric members who have an interest in learning about and contributing this type of scholarship. The expected outcomes of this meeting will include plans for collaborative proposals aligned with the research agenda. For more information or to apply, visit  www.pediatricapta.org under Section News. Applications should be e-mailed to  hmlundeen@umary.edu no later than 5:00 pm CST, March 1, 2016; late applications will NOT be considered. Applicants will be notified of acceptance no later than April 1, 2016.
SoPAC 2016: Deadlines for SoPAC 2016 Now Posted, SoPAC 2015 Handouts Available for Purchase
Mark your calendars for SoPAC 2016, to be held November 11-13, 2016 (preconference courses November 9-10) at the Keystone Resort, north of Denver in Colorado. Information will be posted at www.sopac.us as it becomes available.
 
Didn't Attend SoPAC 2015? Because one of the goals of SoPAC is to further member education, APTA Section on Pediatrics members are permitted to purchase access to SoPAC 2015 Handouts for $50 (this does not include handout access for preconference courses). Handouts will remain accessible until April 1, 2016. There is no CEU credit for viewing the handouts. Once you submit your credit card information for payment, you will be provided with handout access information. To register to gain access to the handouts, click here.
IV STEP 2016: Register by January 31!
The Pediatric and Neurology sections are planning for IV STEP (July 14-19, 2016), a summer institute for clinicians, educators, and researchers designed to explore new theory and research evidence related to movement science, and to translate this theory and evidence into physical therapy practice for individuals of all ages with neurologic disorders. IV STEP will foster, guide, and affect neurologic physical therapy practice over the next decade.
 
IV STEP will focus on four "Ps": Prevention, Prediction, Plasticity, and Participation as they relate to the roles and responsibilities of today's physical therapists. Personal interactions and dialogues will be an integral part of the conference. Active engagement learning experiences will assist participants in exploring, understanding, and applying these principles to their daily practice. IV STEP attendees are expected to serve as change agents for the profession. Registration is on a first-come,  first-served online basis. Visit the IV STEP website to register, find our more, or explore sponsorship opportunities. We hope to see you there! 
APTA's Combined Sections Meeting: February 17-20, Anaheim, CA
Ride the wave of excitement to Anaheim for the leading conference and career-building event of the year in physical therapy. The only national conference powered by APTA and all 18 specialty sections, the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) delivers superior programming and unmatched networking. Explore the program by section, speaker, day, or event type (as well as housing information and other details) at www.apta.org/csm. Preselect sessions within one section, or mix and match to suit your needs. In addition to all the great Section on Pediatrics programming, you'll want to make sure to attend the following Section activities as well:
  • Section on Pediatrics Member Breakfast: Thursday, February 18, 6:30-7:30 am
  • Section on Pediatrics Business Meeting: Friday, February 19, 6:30-8:30 pm
SOP pre-conference CSM courses are Pediatric Pelvic Floor Function and Dysfunction - cosponsored with the Section on Women's Health (February 15-17) and Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis (February 17). Section on Pediatrics highlights include sessions on technology, mobility, and rehabilitation. Visit the Section's CSM page for more information or to volunteer at the Section booth and have your name submitted for a free registration to SoPAC!
Seeking Section on Pediatrics Grant Submissions: Due April 1
The Section will accept grant proposals for Mentored Grant applications (Up to $10,000) through April 1. (Additional grants will be accepted through September 1.) All grants may be on any topic relevant to pediatric physical therapy. Refer to the Section on Pediatric Research Agenda for general topics and guidance. The dollar amount associated with each grant type is the maximum award. Applicants are encouraged to request the smallest amount required to complete their project, to the highest caliber possible. Please visit the Research page of the Section website for further details. Questions may be directed to the Research Committee's Grants Vice Chair Julia Looper, PT, PhD. jlooper@pugetsound.edu.
New Educators Toolkit Now Available
This new SOP resource is now available on the Fact Sheet page of the Section website.  
WCPT Congress, Cape Town, South Africa, 2017: Proposals Due February 28 
The World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) is inviting recognized experts in their fields to submit proposals for focused symposia - sessions which are central to the congress program and which explore cutting edge topics. Focused symposia draw together different research and practice perspectives. As part of an international team, focused symposium chairs and speakers explore the implications of the latest research and thinking as well as debate controversies and lay the foundations for future interactions and initiatives.If you are interested in putting forward a proposal, click here. The deadline for proposals is February 28, 2016.
Section Mentoring Program
If you are a seasoned professional and would be available to serve as a mentor - or if you're a practicing PT or PTA hoping to find a mentored, please contact Jennifer Moser to sign up. Please indicate your practice setting, geographical location, and area of mentoring interest (IP, OP, hospital-based, or private practice, NICU, school system- including age ranges, EI - home or center-based, rehab/neuro, CP, DS, ASD, academics, manual therapy, orthotics, dance, NDT, AT, aqua, section leadership, etc) and state of residence.
Surveys by and for SOP Members
Torticollis Severity Scale Reliability Study: Do you treat babies with torticollis? If so, you are invited to participate in a brief two-part study to establish the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the Congenital Muscular Torticollis Severity Classification System (Kaplan et al, 2013).Questions and comments can be directed to Magda Oledzka. Survey end date: March 13, 2016.

Consistency of referral policies for PT and OT in the NICU
: This project aims to study the consistency of referral criteria for PT/OT in NICUs throughout the US by surveying therapists practicing in the NICU. Questions and comments can be directed to Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez. Survey end date: TBD.
 
Pediatric Physical Therapists Knowledge and Implementation of Fitness, Wellness and Health Promotion Behaviors: The purpose of this survey is to investigate pediatric physical therapists' knowledge regarding health promotion, and to determine if pediatric physical therapists are routinely assessing wellness attributes and/or incorporating health promotion into their plan of care. Questions and comments can be directed to Joyce Lammers and Lindsay Elchert. Survey end date: TBD.
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Section on Pediatrics, APTA  

Cindy Sliwa, Executive Director 

1111 N Fairfax St

Alexandria, VA 22314
800/999-2782, ext 3254
www.pediatricapta.org

 

APTA Section on Pediatrics members are automatically members of the International Organisation of Physical Therapists in Paediatrics (IOPTP) of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT). For more information on IOPTP and WCPT, visit  www.wcpt.org/ioptp.

 

Interested in getting more involved in the Section? Visit the Section's Volunteer Page to find out how!

 

Upcoming Events 
Combined Sections Meeting (February 17-20, 2016, Anaheim, CA)  
 
IV STEP Conference (July 13-16, 2016, Columbus, OH)

Save the Date: Advanced Clinical Practice in Pediatrics (September 23-25, 2016; Atlanta, GA)

Save the Date: Section on Pediatrics Annual Conference (SoPAC)  (November 11-13, 2016 [preconference courses November 9-10], Keystone Resort, north of Denver). 

 

APTA / COMPONENT / WCPT EVENTS: