Healing Young Brains: A Collaborative Approach to Pediatric Brain Injury Rehabilitation
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This is a new course being offered in both a flex format or on-demand. You will make your selection when registering. For more information, see the course brochure and information below.
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Early Bird Rate Through November 20, 2025
DESCRIPTION
Pediatric brain injury is the leading cause of disability and death in children and adolescents in the United States, requiring a comprehensive, team-based response. Healing Young Brains is an interdisciplinary course designed to equip healthcare professionals with the foundational knowledge, practical strategies and collaborative frameworks needed to support young patients and their families throughout the rehabilitation journey.
This course emphasizes real-world application through in-depth case study discussions and discipline-specific breakout sessions. Participants will explore assessment tools, intervention strategies and care coordination practices that address physical, cognitive and emotional impairments across the continuum of care—from acute recovery to reintegration into school and community life.
DATES AND DELIVERY METHOD
The flex course (Jan. 8 to Feb. 26, 2026) is designed to accommodate your busy schedule. Feel free to mix and match live and recorded sessions according to what best fits your needs, ensuring you have the flexibility to learn at your own pace while still benefiting from real-time interactions and resources.
The on-demand course (Apr 16. to June 4, 2026) is designed for learners to engage with content at their own convenience and pace, without the need to attend live sessions. The flex course is taught virtually using an online meeting platform and the Academy Learning Portal. Other online learning materials may also be utilized.
COURSE FACULTY (listed alphabetically)
- Nicholette Andrews, MS, APRN, PCNS-BC
- Madeline Carbery, MS, OTR/L
- Blair Gorenberg, MA, CCC-SLP
- Jennifer Grundwaldt, MS, CCC-SLP
- Jessica LaRosa, MD
- Kelsey Watters, CScD, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS
AUDIENCE
Advanced Practice Nurses, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Physician Assistants, Physicians (not for CME), Psychologists, Social Workers and Speech-Language Pathologists.
LEARNER OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define primary and secondary impairments as the result of a pediatric brain injury.
- Analyze age-appropriate assessments, interventions and goals for a pediatric patient with a brain injury.
- Discuss, via case studies, how an interdisciplinary team approach can determine improved outcomes for a pediatric patient with a brain injury at specified age ranges and stages of recovery.
- Describe behavioral impacts as the result of a pediatric brain injury on function and recovery.
- Summarize age-appropriate education to provide to the pediatric patient with a brain injury and pertinent education and support to provide to their families and caregivers.
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
To successfully complete the flex course, participants will complete 1.5 hours of self-study and view 7.5 hours of content to be watched during the live sessions or on-demand following the live airing. Recordings of the live sessions will be available within 24 hours of each live session. All participants will be required to complete attendance verifications and a final comprehensive feedback survey in the Academy Learning Portal. All required components for the flex course must be completed by Thursday, February 26, 2026. Learners will have access to the course materials for review until Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 12:00 AM GMT.
To successfully complete the on-demand course, participants will need to complete 1.5 hours of self-study work, view 7.5 hours of recordings, complete a comprehensive course assessment and a final comprehensive feedback survey by Thursday, June 4, 2026. Learners will have access to review course materials until Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM GMT.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT
Nursing:
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This CNE is being offered for 9 contact hours of continuing nursing education.
Occupational Therapy:
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# pending. This distance learning hybrid/blended course is offered at 9.0 contact hours, 0.9 CEUs [intermediate level, foundational knowledge/OT service delivery]. This distance learning independent course is offered at 9.0 contact hours, 0.9 CEUs [intermediate level, foundational knowledge/OT service delivery]. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
Physical Therapy: This online course has been approved by the Illinois Physical Therapy Board for 7.5 hours live online, 1.5 hours self-study (9.0 Total) contact hours. Approval #216-000069
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is recognized by the California and 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 course has been approved for 7.5 hours live online, 1.5 hours self-study (9.0 Total) contact hours on 07/11/2025.
Many states accept continuing education contact hours recognized in other states, enabling professionals to use these hours to meet their licensing or certification requirements. Please consult your state regulations to see if this meets CEU requirements for your license.
Speech-Language Pathology: 