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ForwardPediatric Vestibular Physical Therapy Workshop - October 2, 2027
Provided by: Children’s Hospital Colorado Physical Therapy Vestibular Team
For Colorado Licensed Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants:
Evaluating and treating dizziness and balance issues in children requires a vastly different approach than treating adults. Children aren't just miniature adults—they are moving targets undergoing rapid neuromotor development, and they rarely describe "vertigo" the way adults do.
At this one-day workshop, attendees can expect to learn about bedside vestibular and oculomotor testing and rehabilitation techniques, with modifications for the pediatric patient. It will be highly interactive with a focus on hands-on learning in a group setting.
Target Audience
This workshop is designed for clinicians new to the field of pediatric vestibular physical therapy. This includes both physical therapists who have experience with adult vestibular physical therapy and pediatric physical therapists new to vestibular rehabilitation.
This course is intermediate-level and specifically designed for:
- Pediatric Physical Therapists (Early Intervention, School-based, and Outpatient)
- Neurological Physical Therapists looking to expand into pediatrics
- Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) working under the guidance of a PT
⚠️ Prerequisites: A baseline understanding of basic adult vestibular anatomy (semicircular canals, otoliths, and basic VOR concepts) is highly recommended.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify common and rare pediatric vestibular pathologies, including recurrent vertigo of childhood (RVC), post-concussive syndrome, and neuritis/labyrinthitis.
- Modify adult vestibular bedside examinations (including VOR, VOMS, and oculomotor testing) into engaging, age-appropriate assessments for children.
- Interpret standardized pediatric balance and developmental tests in the context of vestibular hypofunction.
- Design creative, play-based habituation, adaptation, and substitution exercise programs that maximize compliance and neuroplasticity.
- Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including pediatricians, ENT specialists, and audiologists.
Additional Information
You may also be interested in
Pediatric Vestibular Conference 2027 Workshop attendees are highly encouraged to attend the 2-day hybrid Pediatric Vestibular Conference on September 30th – October 1st. The workshop will be held in-person on the third day of the conference, October 2nd, 2027. | |||
Vestibular Physical Therapy Workshop Saturday, October 2 (Mountain Time) | |||
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7:45 a.m. |
| Registration | Conference Center |
8:00 |
| Introductions | Mt. Princeton |
8:15 |
| Lecture: Pediatric Vestibular Disorders, PT examination (2 hours) | Mt Princeton |
10:15 |
| Break (15 min) |
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10:30 |
| Lab: PT Exam (1.5 hours) | Mt. Princeton |
12:00 |
| Lunch (1 hour) not provided | Mt. Princeton |
13:00 |
| Lecture: PT Treatment – oculomotor and vestibular rehabilitation (1.5 hours) | Mt. Princeton |
14:30 |
| Lab: PT Treatment Strategies (1.5 hours) | Mt. Princeton |
16:30 |
| Adjourn |
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This one-day workshop will be offered in person and held on the Anschutz Medical Campus at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Free parking for conference guests is available on the Lower Level of the Family/Visitor parking structure, just south of the hospital’s main entrance. Please enter the hospital at the main entrance to pre-screen. Take the elevators to the 2nd Floor, Conference and Education Center.
Children’s Colorado and University of Colorado Hospital employees must park in their designated area.
Accommodations
Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center
13200 East 14th Place, Aurora, Colorado 80011, USA
Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center
The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club
13025 E Montview Blvd, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
Workshop Faculty
Margot Gray PT, DPT
PT Vestibular Program Lead
Colleen Petranovich PT, DPT, PCS
Neuro-developmental Physical Therapist
Stephanie Smalling PT, DPT
Inpatient Rehabilitation Physical Therapist
Marybeth Barkocy PT, DPT
Neuro-developmental Physical Therapist
Nicole Remington PT, DPT
Concussion PT Lead Orthopedics Physical Therapist
Children’s Hospital Colorado is approved by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to provide continuing education. Attendees are expected to be present for the entire program. Individuals who are not present for the full program will not receive CEUs. No partial credit will be provided. A certificate of attendance will be available upon completion of the online evaluation for all attendees.
Children’s Hospital Colorado designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.5 contact hours.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) & Professional Development Activities (PDA)
For Colorado Licensed Physical Therapists
Course Credit: 7.5 Contact Hours/PDA hours (equivalent to 0.75 CEUs)
Available Credit
- 7.50 APTA
- 7.50 Attendance
Price
Cancellation Policy
A refund, minus a $25 processing fee, will be granted if cancellation is requested by September 23rd, 2027. No refunds will be granted after this date or for non-attendance, although you may send a substitute instead.
The Planning Committee reserves the right to modify the agenda content while keeping consistent the time and content requirements for Colorado APTA Contact Hours/CEUs.