NDT Foundation Paediatric

Neurodevelopmental Therapy Foundation Paediatric Course

Previously known as the Basic Course

This is a post graduate course in the assessment and treatment of children with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental conditions presented under the auspices of the South African Neurodevelopmental Therapy Association (SANDTA). It is a modular course and is based on the curriculum suggested by the European Bobath Tutors Association (EBTA) together with input from the Australian Bobath Neurodevelopmental Therapy Association (ABNDTA). It has been modified to meet local conditions. SANDTA courses are recognised internationally.

Module 1 - Online (6 weeks, 35 hours)
Module 2 - Online (6 weeks, 35 hours)
Module 3 - 3 day in person workshop
Module 4 - Practical

Course Duration

Four modules completed in a 12 month cycle

CPD Accreditation

Course participants qualify for ±40 CPD points

Course Emphasis

A big emphasis throughout the course will be on teaching sound clinical reasoning.

Who is the course for?

The Foundation Course is open to qualified physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech-language therapists with at least two years full-time/equivalent postgraduate experience in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

This course includes treatment and practical handling sessions in which you are expected to participate. If you have a medical condition which will affect your ability to ‘move and handle’ children and adults (practical sessions), it is your responsibility to assess the risk and inform us when you apply for the course.

Course Structure

The course has four modules which currently are completed within a 12 month cycle.
The modules are as follows:

Module 1
TCD and neuroscience- it is presented online and consists of lectures, videos, and articles. The online course runs for 6 weeks and requires approximately 35 hours to complete. Approximately 20 CPD points. Completion of the course requires participants to complete a quiz at the end of each part of this course. The course also requires preparation work for and attendance at two Zoom tutorials

Module 2
Classification and Bobath Concept- it is presented online and consists of lectures, videos, and articles. The online course runs for 6 weeks and requires approximately 35 hours to complete. Approximately 20 CPD Points. Completion of the course requires participants to complete a quiz at the end of each part of this course. The course also requires preparation work for and attendance at two Zoom tutorials

Module 3
is a three-day face to face workshop focusing on the analysis of typical movement and facilitation skills

Module 4
is the practical part of the course and runs for a period of 5 weeks. – Lectures and practical work take place from Monday to Friday and for 7 hours each day.

Course Aim

The course is designed to:

Develop an understanding of Neurodevelopmental Therapy (based on the Bobath concept) and relate this to the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and best available evidence for the treatment of children with cerebral palsy
Provide theoretical knowledge of neurosciences, child development, classification of movement disorders, and the principles of assessment and treatment
Advance clinical reasoning and handling skills in the assessment, treatment, and management of individuals with cerebral palsy across all areas of functioning in daily life throughout their life span.

Course Objectives

Objectives

To enable therapists to understand and apply the principles of NDT
Understand Typical and Atypical Development and its implication on Function and Participation
Develop Observational and Analytical skills
Have up to date knowledge of Neuroscience and Theories of Motor Control
Individualise management plans for each child, including Postural Management
Gain insight into Orthopaedic and Medical aspects from a therapist’s perspective
Work within a multidisciplinary team
SANDTA tutors and tutor trainees present lectures and do demonstrations on assessment and treatment, and the participants receive supervised instruction in the principles of assessment and treatment during interactive practical and clinical sessions.

What else do I need to know?

There will be occasions when home study is required over evenings and weekends.
Course participants treat the children at the venue where the course is being presented, during one or two hour long clinical sessions a day. The participants generally work in multidisciplinary pairs.
Some clinical practicals with children may take place at other venues, e.g. special needs schools, community centres. Course participants will need to make their own travel arrangements to these venues (usually course participants organize this amongst themselves and assist those course participants who do not have their own transport).

Course Completion Criteria

Please note that FULL attendance of the course is a requirement. A maximum absence of 2 days will be granted (at the course leader’s discretion) upon submission of a doctor’s note, or for unforeseen personal emergencies

Evaluation focuses on the following:

Understanding and application of the principles of NDT as observed by clinical supervisors during clinical and practical sessions
Handling skills
Clinical reasoning skills
Professionalism, punctuality, interaction (with fellow colleagues and children) and general work ethic
A Pre-course package will be sent to all participants with all the relevant information prior to the course.

Course Presenters

The course is co-presented by qualified physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy SANDTA tutors or international tutors with equivalent qualifications. Specialists in orthopaedics, paediatrics, neurophysiology, seating and orthotics may also present relevant parts of the course when this is possible to arrange.

Our Tutors

Course Prerequisites

It is recommended that course applicants should have first attended the five-day Introductory Course in the assessment and management of children with CP. Whilst this is not compulsory it will be to your advantage in the selection process.

For the course to be more meaningful and to develop the skills acquired during the course, it is essential for therapists to be working with children with CP before and immediately after the course.

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