Paediatric Osteopathy: Neurology, Neurodevelopment and Behaviours
This course focuses on the neuroanatomy that is growing and changing during childhood. Every child’s journey of development is different. To deliver targeted treatment, discuss expected outcomes, and determine treatment frequency during a child’s developmental years, paediatric osteopaths must understand gross anatomy, physiology, and the factors influencing sequential development and outcomes. This includes genetic programming, aetiology, pathologies, embryological changes, and the child’s applied use of their body.
This course explores a range of differences in development, from children with neural tube defects and cerebral palsy to those with different genetic makeups.
Key Areas of Exploration
- Neural Tube Defects & Cerebral Palsy: Investigating how neural tube defects affect the developing brain and child outcomes, alongside the aetiologies of cerebral palsy, how it manifests in motor skills, and its impact on cognitive function.
- The Scope of Osteopathy: Evaluating the role of osteopathy, what it can and cannot achieve on its own, and its place within the scope of other healthcare professionals.
- Premature Birth & Critical Windows: Exploring altered projection of neural development in premature babies, examining how patterns of gross anatomy, neural tissue gain, and motor development occur, alongside other complications associated with prematurity.
- Epilepsy & Neurological Maturity: Looking at why and how epilepsy affects development from both a physiological perspective and through the effect of medication on emerging anatomy.
- Behavioural, Learning & Sleep Issues: Understanding the deep-seated neuroanatomical and physiological differences in children navigating these problems. This includes appreciating how sleep differs in childhood, its links to neurological maturity, realistic expectations, good sleep practice, and when osteopathy can help influence how a child sleeps.
- Genetic Disorders: A mini-course within the module to learn how to apply osteopathic principles to a child’s emerging form, influencing their journey toward better health within their specific genetic programming.
Learning Focus & Practicals
Anyone approaching a child needs an added dimension to their practice. Like all osteopaths, they must understand anatomy, physiology, and pathological processes; in addition, they must understand the effect of what they are dealing with on the development gained to date for that individual, and the development that is yet to come.
The practical sessions and learning focus are split between:
- Gaining clinical skills for ultra-sensitive developing systems.
- Using specific neuro-developmental techniques where they are appropriate.
- Applying your hands to a moving, wriggling child.
Clinical Practice
In addition, The Dove Children’s Clinic provides dedicated time to use the skills you have learnt and apply them in a clinical setting under the guidance of experienced clinical tutors, with the expectation to gain hands-on experience wherever possible.
Together with experience in The Dove Clinic, this course deepens your understanding of the child as they journey to adulthood, from milk feeding to solids, through the experiences of gaining continence, physical trauma, and the changes in physiology, morphology, and anatomy that come with adolescence.
A current Enhanced DBS certificate and Safeguarding of Children level 2 or above (or equivalent from the country in which you reside and practice) is required; a copy of which should be supplied to our office.
