Supporting Pediatric Physical Therapy Education
A free continuing education event brought to you by the Nancy B. Haney Endowed Fund for Physical Therapy Education at Rady Children’s Health.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PDT
- Location: Virtual
- Cost: Free
- Continuing Education: Approved for 5 hours (0.5 CEU)
Registration:
Session Title
Advancing Pediatric Physical Therapy: Evidence-Based Intervention Requirements and the Perception-Action Approach
Course Description
This course will examine the relationship between theory and practice in pediatric physical therapy, contrasting the clinical reasoning grounded in current theories of development with that based on traditional neuromaturational views. The dynamic connection between perception, action, and cognition, and its role in developmental change will be emphasized. Through photos, videos, and audience participation, this course will introduce the evidence-based intervention requirements founded in current theories and supported by neuroplasticity and clinical research. Examples of interventions that meet these requirements and promote optimal developmental outcomes will be provided, with a special focus on the Perception-Action Approach. Knowledge translation will be reinforced through interactive polling and reflective discussion.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the role of perception-action-cognition connection in developmental change.
- List intervention requirements grounded in current theories of development and based on evidence derived from neuroplasticity and clinical research.
- Describe the Perception-Action Approach as a child-driven intervention approach that meets the evidence-based requirements.
- Identify the vital components of the Perception-Action Approach observational examination and intervention and apply them to video cases.
- Reflect on one’s own clinical practice while taking into consideration the evidence-based intervention requirements.
Continuing Education
This course is approved for 5 hours (0.5 CEU).
Agenda
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. PDT: Integrating Evidence-Based Intervention Requirements in Pediatric Clinical Practice | Mary Rahlin, PT, DHS, PCS
- The role of perception-action-cognition connection in developmental change
- Intervention requirements grounded in current theories of development and derived from neuroplasticity and clinical research evidence
- Examples of intervention approaches
- Self-reflection
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PDT: Lunch break
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. PDT: Introduction to the Perception-Action Approach| Joyce Barnett, PT with Mary Rahlin, PT, DHS, PCS
- Perception-Action Approach (P-AA) as an example of intervention that meets the evidence-based requirements
- Components of the P-AA observational examination
- P-AA intervention components
- Application of the presented concepts
Lectures will include video cases and interactive activities, discussions, and Q&A.
Speakers
Mary Rahlin, PT, DHS, PCS
Mary Rahlin, PT, DHS, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy, is a Professor and Assistant Program Director for Research in the Department of Physical Therapy at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL. Dr. Rahlin has over 25 years of clinical experience. Currently, she continues consulting for families of children with movement disorders through her private, home-based pediatric physical therapy practice. Her research interests include development of outcome measures, therapy-related infant and toddler behavior, and physical therapy management of infants with torticollis and children with cerebral palsy. Dr. Rahlin has a number of peer-reviewed publications and is the author of a textbook titled, Physical Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy: An Evidence-Based Approach.
Joyce Barnett, PT
Joyce Barnett, PT, is a retired pediatric physical therapy clinician who currently works as a consultant to therapists and volunteers in a free community clinic in Anchorage, Alaska. Due to her interest in knowledge translation, she has co-authored a perspective paper, Development Through the Lens of a Perception-Action-Cognition Connection: Recognizing the Need for a Paradigm Shift in Clinical Reasoning, and serves on the board of directors of the Institute for Perception-Action Approach. Ms. Barnett has presented on this approach at national conferences and in continuing education courses. She has participated as a co-investigator in two studies involving infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) and has co-authored the Functional Symmetry Observation Scale for infants with CMT.
Support the Endowment
The Nancy B. Haney Pediatric Innovation Lectureship Series was established to support continuing education and advance evidence-based practice in pediatric physical therapy. Made possible through the Nancy B. Haney Endowed Fund for Physical Therapy Education at Rady Children’s Health, the lectureship brings experts in the field together to share emerging research, clinical insights, and innovative approaches that promote optimal outcomes for children and families.
