Sparking Pediatric Change: Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)

This 1-day lecture, followed by a 2-day lab course teaches how to apply and use functional electrical stimulation (FES) as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, other recommended interventions to manage the problems of decreased functional strength, ROM, and balance in children with neurological dysfunction.

Immediate within sessions results, as well as long-term results, will be shown using videos of actual patients treated using FES. The speaker will show case presentation of children with different forms of Cerebral Palsy (uniplegia, biplegia, quadriplegia, ataxic, and dystonic) from Levels I to V, with emphasis on participation in daily life, as well as parent and child satisfaction with results.

Objective progress will be shown through changes in GMFCS levels, SCALE score changes and Peds Quality of Life Survey. Participants will learn recommended pediatric electrical stimulation equipment to be able to use immediately in their practice upon completion of the lab. Participants with be introduced to the effects in ongoing current research in using Transcutaneous Spinal Cord (TSN) Stimulation, so they will have novice level knowledge about how this new intervention works and how to determine the best scientifically and evidence-based approaches when reading the literature.

Target Audience: PT’s and OT’s who are interested in learning more about electrical stimulation application for improvement of motor function in children with neurological dysfunction.

Registration Fee: Includes the conference, continental breakfast, and afternoon refreshments. Space is limited– early registration is encouraged.

Lodging: A special rate at The Hyatt Place Lombard (2340 South Fountain Square Drive in Lombard, IL) is available if you mention that you are taking a course at Easterseals.
P: 630.932.6501

Special Accommodations: Please notify us of any special accommodations you may have by contacting us at 630.261.6191.

About the Instructor:

Dr. Susan Hastings, PT, DPT, PCS is a Board-Certified Pediatric Certified Specialist, who graduated from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) in 2010, with a DPT, specializing in Pediatrics. In 2019, she began a novel collaboration with Dr. V. Reggie Edgerton and Dr. Parag Gad from the Edgerton Research Lab at UCLA to study transcutaneous neuromodulation in children with CP. After co-authoring 3 research papers on spinal neuromodulation with Drs. Edgerton and Gad in collaboration with SpineX, and preparing for Phase 2 trials for the SpineX device, Dr. Hastings is now assisting Dr. Edgerton and Dr. Charles Liu in expanding Dr. Edgerton’s lifetime work in studying spinal cord neuromodulation at the Impossible to Possible CP Lab at Rancho Research Institute, with an emphasis on exploring comprehensive effects on sensory motor impairments in children with CP.

Course Credits:

Continuing education credits for O.T./ P.T./SW will be offered through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.

Early Intervention credits have been requested for day one and for day 2-3, with a combined 23.25 contact hours for the full course.

All participants will receive a course completion certificate upon successful completion of the conference. No certificates will be awarded until course completion is verified on the final date of the conference.

*Please note day 1 is a pre-requisite for days 2-3. Day 1 can be taken as as stand alone course.

Day 1: 7.75

Day 2 & 3: 15.50 (7.50 & 8.00)

Total: 23.25

AOTA: 2.3 CEUs

AOTA Course Credits for Day 1, Day 2-3, & Full Course Below