Introduction to Early Assessment and Intervention
with Babies and Young Children

Course Leaders:   Jean-Pierre Maes, Senior Bobath-NDT Tutor
                             Betty Hutchon, Head Occupational Therapist Royal Free Hospital

What is it?
The emphasis of this course is to introduce course participants to the Bobath Concept and its practical application with babies from preterm age to 18 months.
 

Who is it for?
The course is suitable for non-Bobath trained paediatric physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and paediatricians/ neonatalogists who are currently working with babies and young children. 

We would recommend that therapists who apply for this course have at least one years current clinical experience with a moderate caseload of babies and young children.  There will be clinical practice sessions from the start of the course.

Course Aims
To introduce course participants to the role of the neurodevelopmental therapist including assessment and intervention using Bobath concepts, both in NICU with preterm infants and with high risk infants in the first year of life.

Objectives
 By the end of the course the participants should be able to:

·         Begin to apply the Bobath concept in early assessment and intervention
          to include current views on early treatment and management

·         Develop better facilitation / handling skills through problem solving

·         Demonstrate an understanding of normal, abnormal and atypical
     development for preterm and term babies in the first year of life

·         Document observations of normally developing babies

·         Develop better observation skills through participating in and observing
     case studies

·         Demonstrate an understanding of the neurological and developmental
     assessment tools / methods available to therapists in NICU and
     early intervention

·         Demonstrate an in depth knowledge and understanding of early patterns
     of brain damage, investigation methods, medication and medical intervention
 

How will the course be taught?
The format will include lectures on neurological and developmental assessment with video analysis, as well as daily treatment sessions followed by case presentations and practical demonstrations by a Senior Bobath tutor.

Registration: 

This course is held once a year, the next course in November 08 is fully booked. 

We have a waiting list for places for the course on 21 - 26 September 09, to register your interest and join the waiting list, please email:  abby@bobathlondon.co.uk     

The fee for the course in 2009 will be £710.