All PTA prgram courses may only be attempted twice and the minimum passing

grade is a C+.

Course Grading:

* your choice of one 2-page assignment or two 1-page assignments.  We will review both options in class.

Text(s):

Please refer to the PTA Program Textbook Listing and Check with your instructor prior to the purchase of any textbooks to make sure you have the most recent information.

Course Description:

              Introduces developmental milestones for normal human motor development across the lifespan and discusses genetic and hereditary disorders, congenital and acquired disorders.  Course design will familiarize the student with the essential nature of abnormalities of structure and function that are characteristic of, or impact human motor development.  This course is  required  for Physical Therapist Assistant majors.

Course Goals

Following completion of this course the student/learner will be able to

1. Recognize the interaction among multiple body systems in the performance of movement activities.
2. Explain the changes that occur within the motor system across the lifespan and the variability of motor performance between individuals.
3. Discuss how genetic, congenital, and acquired disorders can impact the development of motor skills in children.
4. Discuss physical therapy approaches to interventions with the child with neuromotor deficits.

Course Objectives

Following the completion of this course with a grade of “C+” or higher, the student/learner will possess skills in the following domains:

Cognitive/Knowledge The student /learner will be able to successfully:

• Define normal human development in terms of motor milestones
• Describe the differences between genetic, congenital and acquired disorders
• Interpret observations of motor development into motor function
• Describe the purpose of a reflex
• Differentiate between types of reflexes
• Differentiate between motor learning and motor control
• Describe the types and phases of motor learning and the stages of motor control
• Describe changes that occur with the aging process and outcome measurement tools appropriate for various patient populations

Psychomotor  The student /learner will be able to successfully:

• Indicate positioning and handling challenges throughout the lifespan
• Indicate the history of and differences between the various theories of neurological rehabilitation and techniques
• Identify how movements in normal development can be utilized in treatment interventions
• Correlate a given diagnosis with motor function, positioning needs, and treatment techniques to address the probable impairments and functional limitations
• Observe normal movements and describe it in terms of initiation, weight shift, direction, sequence, dissociation, and prime movers

Affective The student /learner will be able to successfully:

• Discriminate between normal and abnormal reflex responses from a child and communicate this information to the supervising physical therapist (PT)
• Observe and respond to patient needs for positive reinforcement
• Discuss the goals of the therapeutic intervention with a patient’s parent or guardian

Course Outline

• Motor Development
• Reflexes
• Motor Learning
• Motor Control
• Treatment Approaches
• Adaptive Equipment
• Development and Aging