Pediatric Posture: Alignment, Assessment & Application

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Course Description:

This two-day live course will explore pediatric lower extremity alignment and its role in gait, posture, and functional performance. Clinicians gain a clear understanding of age-appropriate development, skeletal positioning, and movement patterns to improve assessment accuracy and clinical decision-making. Through research-based instruction and hands-on application, participants learn to identify ideal versus non-ideal alignment and determine when intervention is needed to support children’s current and future function.

Target Audience:

This course will be of interest to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

About the Instructor:

Liesa M. Ritchie (formerly Persaud), PT, DPT, PCS, is a licensed physical therapist with 36 years of experience in pediatric therapy and the owner of Know To Change, an organization dedicated to advancing pediatric clinical practice. She is a Board-Certified Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy, a Credentialed Clinical Instructor, and an experienced educator who has taught nationally and internationally across diverse settings, including clinics, schools, hospitals, and overseas facilities. With advanced degrees culminating in a Doctorate from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and a passion for service and global outreach, Dr. Ritchie brings exceptional expertise, leadership, and enthusiasm to her teaching.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the benefits of proactive & preventive intervention for

pediatric alignment

2. Apply a segmental approach to assessment of the pediatric lower

extremities

3. Understand the principles of orthopedic development as related to

pediatric alignment

4. Utilize pediatric lower extremity & assessments to determine

appropriate interventions

5. Define how to discern between femoral torsion & excessive medial

hip rotation

6. Name 3 features of skeletal alignment that change during

development

7. Choose 2 features of ideal foot position that improve function

8. Participants will identify the correct age that most bone features are

mature

Course Schedule:

May 16, 2026

8:00-9:45am: Skeletal position & related function.

Relationships between activities of ideal vs non-ideal development & their influence on alignment

9:45-10:45am: HIP ROM*

10:45-11:00am: Break

11:00am-12:00pm: SACRAL ANGLE*

12:00-1:00pm: Lunch

1:00-2:00pm: FEMORAL TORSION*

2:00- 2:15pm: Break

2:15-4:00pm: FEMORAL TORSION*

May 17, 2026

8:00-9:00am: “TIBIAL” TORSION*

9:00-10:00am: DORSIFLEXION*

10:00-10:15am: Break

10:15-11:15am: REARFOOT ALIGNMENT*

11:15am-12:15pm: Lunch

12:15-1:45pm: INVERSION/EVERSION/SUBTALAR NEUTRAL*

1:45-2:00pm: Break

2:00-3:00pm: FOREFOOT ALIGNMENT*

* Includes correct terminology, a review of boney architecture, developmental progression, age specific values, in-class demonstration, practical application of didactic information & interpretation of results. In addition, relevant comparison of tests, protocols & positions will be included. Intervention suggestions are given in context of assessment findings. However, the primary emphasis is on comprehension of orthopedic alignment throughout development, applications of findings & related clinical decision making.

Continuing Education Credits:

Continuing education credits for P.T will be offered through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Early Intervention credits, have all been applied for 12 contact hours or 1.2 CEUs.

EARLY INTERVENTION

Continuing professional development credits will be requested through Illinois Early Intervention.

Activity Completion Requirements

All participants will receive a course completion certificate upon successful attendance and completion of a post course evaluation. No certificates will be awarded until course completion is verified on the final date of the conference.

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