Early Bird Rate of $650 through August 1, 2024.
Regular Fee is $750.  

This is a FLEX COURSE where you can choose to attend the live sessions virtually through a video conference platform or watch the recordings on-demand. Mixing and matching based on your schedule is ok!

DESCRIPTION: This 10-session virtual course provides a unique in-depth exploration of the observation and analysis of standing and walking. Optimal Segment Kinematics and Alignment Approach to Rehabilitation (OSKAR) principles give equal emphasis to segments and joints, crucial for understanding standing, walking, rehabilitation, and orthotic management. The course covers the alignments, kinematics and kinetics of typical and atypical patterns of standing, stepping, and walking with full gait cycles, emphasizing the application of OSKAR principles to orthotic management and rehabilitation programs. Discover newly published tools for collaborative decision-making,  including a Pictorial Tool that facilitates family-centered goal setting for orthotic management in all areas of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF), and a Dosage Tool.

Participants will learn to maximize biomechanical outcomes using footwear, ankle-foot orthoses, and their combinations, refine their clinical decision-making through video vector gait laboratory case studies focusing on conditions like cerebral palsy, neural tube defects, stroke, and apply OSKAR rehabilitation programs for enhanced mobility. The course, applicable to both pediatric and adult cases, culminates in participants being able to directly integrate these principles and techniques into their clinical practice, supported by a comprehensive over 600-page manual.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COURSE BROCHURE

DATES: This course will run from October 11 - December 13, 2024. The 2024 live online session dates are: Oct 11, Oct 25, Nov 8, Nov 22 and Dec 13. There will be opportunities to view recordings of each of these sessions if you are unable to attend a live date or wish to review the content. 

FACULTY: 

This course is presented by Elaine Owen, who has developed the OSKAR approach to rehabilitation. Elaine has been practicing as a physical therapist since the 1970s, working in and managing interdisciplinary multiagency childhood onset disability services.  She has postgraduate training in all areas of pediatric therapy, and qualifications in Lower Limb Orthotic Biomechanics and Clinical Gait Analysis. Her MSc in Rehabilitation Studies included a thesis about orthotic management of neurological conditions, normal standing and gait.  She is ESMAC trained in Clinical Gait Analysis. For over 30 years she has used a video vector gait laboratory for gait analysis, and orthotic and physical therapy management of children and adults, at Bangor, UK and other locations, during which time OSKAR was developed.  She has peer reviewed publications and has regularly been invited to teach her course and lecture internationally.  As well as through her own courses these principles have been presented at the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) World Congress, American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM), American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) and the European Society of Movement Analysis of Adults and Children (ESMAC). She has received a UK national award (MBE) for Services to Children with Disability and in 2019 AAOP awarded her the Clinical Creativity Award. She has experience as a caregiver of a child with a disability. 

AUDIENCE: Orthotists, Pediatric Physical Therapists, Physical Therapists working with acquired or childhood-onset disability in adulthood, Orthotic Assistants, Physical Therapist Assistants, Orthotic Technicians, Orthotic Fitters, Pedorthists, Physicians, and Surgeons (not offering CME).  Other professionals working in pediatrics have also found the content relevant and valuable.

LEARNER OUTCOMES:  Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

• Apply Pictorial, Table and Dosage Tools for collaborative goal setting across the ICF components of body structures, body functions, activities, and participation, for children who use ankle-foot orthoses.
• Demonstrate the 6 clinical algorithms for determining optimal orthotic designs, alignments, and dosage in order to implement OSKAR (an Optimal Segment Kinematics and Alignment Approach to Rehabilitation.) The algorithms consider not only the ankle-foot orthosis but the entire AFO Footwear Combination.

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION: Participants will complete 47.0 hours of content comprised of 30.5 hours of self-study and 16.5 hours live contact hours, which is also available on-demand.  Self-study will consist of on-demand viewing of lectures, reading assignments , and optional activities. Participants will complete an assessment at the end of each module.  It is highly recommended that participants attend at least 1 live session from modules 1-4 and 1 live session from modules 5-10.

The course requirements must be completed by December 30, 2024, to receive credit.  Course rosters will be sent to ABC (for orthotists) at this time. Participants will have extended access to view materials through March 13, 2024, for review purposes only. 

The first self-study will be made available by August 28, 2024.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT:

Early Intervention: The Illinois Early Intervention Training Program has applied for this event for EI credential credit

Physical Therapy: This course has been approved by the Illinois Physical Therapy Board for 47.0 Contact Hours (30.5 Hours Self-Study 16.5 Live). Approval #216-000069

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is recognized by California and the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education. This 10-week course has been approved for 47.0 Contact Hours (30.5 Hours Self-Study, 16.5Live). California Contact Hours approved on 4/19/2024.

The following states require continuing education units with no state-specific approval: CT, IA, and WA

Orthotics: This program has been approved for up to 47.0 scientific credits through the American Board for Certification in O&P (ABC) for Orthotists, Orthotic Assistants, Orthotic Technicians and Orthotic Fitters and Pedorthists. Full participation in this program is required to be eligible for the full amount of credits.