How do you make positioning decisions that optimizes function in children and youth with complex or multiple  disabilities? Leave this course equipped to use segmental and kinetic chain principles to promote functional postures in supported sitting, standing and walking. There are 2 formats for this course a Hybrid 9-hour version and a completely Live 12- hour version. See details in Live Courses listed below for the course format.

The 12-hour Live Format:

Day 1 includes lecture and hands-on practice on the use of the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) to determine the trunk support a child needs for optimal function. You will also learn to score and interpret the SATCo, as well as to spot tester errors and subject compensations. Sandra will also provide you with resources to create your own SATCo board.

Day 2 is devoted to clinical reasoning. Sandra will start the day by explaining the use of segmental principles and open/closed kinetic chain concepts in the posture of children and youth with complex disabilities. You will learn to apply these concepts in decision-making for adaptive devices (e.g., seating, standing, gait trainer, walker, wheeled mobility), and for promoting function, including the use of upper extremity, and optimizing visual function. There will be multiple opportunities to problem-solve your own caseload, from early intervention, home care, school-based, and community settings.

The 9-hour Hybrid Format:

1. 1. 3-Hour Webinar: Watch the videos on your own time. Learn to use and apply the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) to determine the level of trunk support a child requires to function optimally.
   2. Application: Apply what you have learned from the webinar with your pediatric client, on your own time. Note problems you encounter or questions you may have for the Live Course.
   3. 6-Hour Live Course: Attend on November 30, 2021. The day starts with Sandra leading you through practice of using SATCo and kinetic chain principles. You will also discuss and problem-solve issues you encountered when applying them with your own client. This will be followed by case applications and discussions for optimizing posture at home and in school, from infancy, through childhood and adolescence. You will explore the use of segmental principles for decision-making in the types and levels of support for such devices as, adaptive seating, wheeled mobility, standers and gait trainers.

Sandra Saavedra, MS, PT, PhD is a researcher and Associate Professor at the University of Hartford. She has 25+ years of clinical experience as a pediatric PT, and is a national leader in researching, teaching and applying segmental principles to treatment of posture impairments in infants all the way to older children, from those with mild to severe disabilities. She works with various clinical and school-based settings to apply SATCo principles to assessment, interventions, selection of adaptive equipment and measuring outcomes.

“Course was easy to follow, supports function and participation in school. Sandra was an excellent instructor.” – OT with 4 years of experience

“I like the hands on interactive approach.Sandra is very passionate and I can see it in her eyes when she presents her case studies and when we showed her some of our challenging cases.” – PT with 24 years of experience

• SATCo Test Form and Instructions

• DIY SATCo Bench Strap System Instructions