Welcome to the December 2006 Section on Pediatrics E-Newsletter!
This edition will highlight programming at Combined Sections Meeting as well as news from the Section. In addition to reporting SOP updates, regional and state news, and Practice Tips, future editions of the newsletter will include a focus on “hot topics” – important and timely issues that affect our members. Feedback from State Representatives and Regional Directors, as well as Listserve discussions can help to identify many of these issues. We will be searching for individuals to research and contribute articles to the newsletter on these “hot topics.” Please contact the newsletter editors if you are interested in assisting with articles.

In This Issue:

• President’s Perspective
  • Highlights for 2006
  • Plans for 2007
  • Upcoming Courses
  • Vision 2020
• Bylaws Committee Report
  • Review the Section Bylaws
• CSM Pediatric Program Highlights
  • Pre-Conference Course
  • Educational Sessions
  • Collaboration and Networking Opportunities
    • Practice Forum
    • Research Forum
    • Government Affairs Forum
    • Neonatology Forum
    • Pediatric Clinical Residency and Fellowship Credentialing Meeting
  • Research and Platform Presentations
  • 2007 Diane Cherry Forum
  • Celebration and Socializing – Member Breakfast, Awards, and more!
  • Volunteer at the Section Booth!
• Other Section Updates
  • Practice Committee News
  • Reimbursement Subcommittee News
  • Public Relations Committee Update -- PT Month and AMBUCS

This is the time of year to look back at all we’ve accomplished and to look ahead to what we hope to accomplish next. The Section on Pediatrics has had an exceptional year in 2006. My appreciation goes to all those who contributed to each of these accomplishments – thanks to:

• The Executive Committee for leading us and making wise decisions
• The Regional Directors who do such a good job of communicating with State Reps and then share that information with the rest of the Board
• The Committee Chairs who direct specific activities
• The Committee Members who assist in completing the activities for the committee on which they serve
• Special Interest Group Chairs and Officers who have continued the good work in the area of Adolescents and Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Pediatric Sports-Fitness, while new groups have come forward to lead our efforts focused on Neonatology and School-based Therapy
• All member who attend meetings, respond to surveys, and provide us with your feedback
• Cindy Sliwa, the Section’s Executive Officer, who pulls it all together for us to coordinate our work as much as possible

I thank each of you for what you do for children and families and for supporting me in my efforts to serve the Section. I wish each of you a blessed holiday and that you will have more dreams come true in 2007.

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Highlights for 2006

• Creation of a new School-based Special Interest Group
• Representation of the Section at meetings regarding reimbursement
• Participation in Government Affairs workshops at the state and federal level
• Input through conference calls regarding federal legislation (IDEIA and Medicaid in schools) and state regulations (credentialing of Developmental Specialists)
• Activity in public relations: bike fairs for PT month in collaboration with AMBUCS, and interviews by Exceptional Parent and several other national publications (we’ve been asked to make statements on obesity, twins, blackberry thumb, etc)
• Completion of the Compendium for Teaching Entry-level Physical Therapy Pediatric Content (available in our online store)
• Follow-up to activities regarding continuum of care for individuals with lifelong disabilities
• Progress toward developing a pediatric group within the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (thanks to former Section President Barbara Connolly – more than 10 countries have indicated interest and several have already signed intent to participate)
• Many Section-sponsored courses, including Fitness Programs for Children with CP (held in August in Omaha), the annual Advanced Clinical Practice course (held in November in Seattle), the first School-based Therapy course (held last January in Denver), and two III STEP Regional courses (held in August in Minneapolis and in November in Dallas). 
• 12 Section members received APTA honors and awards

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Plans for 2007

The Strategic Planning Committee (made up of the Executive Committee, two Regional Directors, and two Committee Chairs) met at APTA in September to develop the plan and budget for 2007. The focus will continue to be on meeting the needs of members and those we serve. New activities will include:

• Financial support for the development of pediatric residencies and fellowships (see the CSM schedule for two forums on this topic. Contact Cindy Sliwa if you are interested in additional information
• Revision and update of the IDEA book
• Increased activities aimed at recruiting and retaining members
• Production of additional brochures
• A second Research Summit – this one on the topic of Early Intervention (as with the first Research Summit on fitness for children with CP, the overall objective is to foster collaboration in research; RSI resulted in numerous grant submissions and funding, presentations on fitness at conferences, a workshop in Omaha over the summer, and publication of the proceedings in an upcoming issue of Physical Therapy)
• Opportunities for mentoring members for the specialty exam and for clinical research
• Expansion of the Speakers’ Bureau to address topics we are being asked to address publicly
• Revision of the NICU competencies
• Investigation of the development of distance learning opportunities and an electronic format for dissemination of continuing education
• Strengthening the connection of members to State Representatives and Regional Directors
• Leadership training and regional meetings
• Increased opportunities for member involvement through restructuring of committees with delineated job descriptions

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Upcoming Courses

• Several Section-sponsored courses are coming up in 2007, including If You Can’t Breathe, You Can’t Function (January 19-24, Northridge, CA); the next III STEP Regional Course (April 13-14, Philadelphia); and Providing School-based Physical Therapy Under IDEIA (April 21-22, Newark).  To find out more information or to register for these courses, go to this link and click on the appropriate course.
• Copies of the audiovisual proceedings of III STEP are still available for purchase. Plenary sessions at III STEP were professionally videotaped and recorded, for you to re-live, review, or share. 30 hours of high-quality videotape recording are presented side by side and synchronized with the presenters’ PowerPoint presentations. Read, listen, and watch as you follow toward the future of rehabilitation.  These recordings can be purchased for $99.95 in either DVD or CD format for use on your PC. (Limited copies of the CD are available.) To order, download this order form.

Your input and feedback are critical to keeping the Section on track with what is going on in your area. Please feel free to contact your State Rep, Regional Director, or an officer to share your ideas and concerns.

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Vision 2020: Perspectives for Pediatrics

Will you be ready for Vision 2020? Does it even apply in your pediatric setting? We want to hear from you!

Elements of APTA’s Vision 2020

• Professionalism
• Practitioner of Choice
• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Autonomous Practice
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Direct Access

Professionalism was discussed in the September issue of the newsletter. For a self-assessment on professionalism, visit this APTA link.

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Hello to the membership! Last year the House of Delegates passed bylaws changes that require editorial changes to our SOP Bylaws. The Bylaws Committee has reviewed the Section’s Bylaws and made the editorial changes necessary. These editorial changes are in Blue. These changes are automatic, and are brought to your attention for your information.

In addition, the APTA Board of Directors has requested each component review and amend their bylaws to come into compliance with Model Bylaw language. The Bylaws Committee has now completed this task. Bylaws changes to bring us into compliance are in Red.

The changes to bring us into compliance with the Model Bylaws are very extensive, and will require a vote of the membership to adopt. The Pediatric Section Board of Directors has reviewed and support these changes. We are using this electronic communication to notify you of the changes and to give you an opportunity to review them prior to voting on them in February at the Membership Meeting at the Combined Sections Meeting in Boston.

To review the bylaws changes, click here . Please contact me at jldjtd3@netperson.net with any questions.

Janet Downey, PT, MPT, PCS
Bylaws Committee Chair

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LOOKING AHEAD TO COMBINED SECTIONS MEETING
FEBRUARY 14-17, 2007, BOSTON, MA

All the information about CSM, including programming, registration, and housing, is available on the APTA CSM page.

Section on Pediatrics highlights include:

Pre-conference Educational Course February 14
You can register for this course by calling APTA at 800/999-2782, ext 3395, or by visiting the CSM registration page . This year’s pre-conference course is “Developing Neuroplasticity: Translating the Science to Clinical Practice.”

Full Section on Pediatrics CSM 07 Events can be found on this page.

Educational Sessions:

• Equinus Gait and Cerebral Palsy: Causes and Clinical Suggestions
• Recent Advances in Managing Children with Upper and Lower Limb Deficiencies
• The Adolescent Athlete’s Shoulder
• From Dynamics to Diagnosis and Treatment of Coordination Problems in Infancy
• Standardized Measurement in Pediatric Rheumatology: Choosing a Core Set of Measures to Guide Physical Therapy Practice
• Childhood Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors
• Computer-Adaptive Testing of Physical Function in Children
• The Gastrointestinal System as an Integral Component of Motor Assessment and Secondary Health Restrictions in the Pediatric Patient
• Problem Solving in School-based Practice
• Traditional and Nontraditional Physical Therapy Service Provision for Adolescents and Adults with Developmental Disabilities
• Understanding the Active and Passive Dynamics of Walking: A Guide for Innovative Intervention Strategies
• Touchpoints – A Pathway to Early Intervention

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Collaboration and Networking Opportunities

• Practice Forum
  • Lisa Chiarello, Practice Committee Chair
    Join us at CSM in Boston, Wednesday, February 14, 2007 from 5-7 pm. Topics include various pediatric examinations, interventions and conditions relevant to the range of pediatric practice settings, including: Early Intervention, Schools, Hospitals, and Clinics. Planned topics are: plagiocephaly, cystic fibrosis, pediatric brain tumors, developmental coordination disorder, congenital contractures, patella alta, pediatric pain, quality of life assessment tools, hippotherapy, aquatics, promoting standing and walking, orthotics, botox, transitions for the older student, private practice, early intervention competencies, and fitness programs. It’s a great way to meet and network with others with similar interests to your own.
• Research Forum
  • Thubi Kolobe, Research Committee Chair
  • Wednesday, February 14, 2007, 5-7 pm
• Government Affairs Forum
  • Sheryl Low, Government Affairs Committee Chair
  • The Government Affairs Committee needs you! If you will be at CSM in Boston, please make sure you come to the Government Affairs Forum on Friday, February 16, at 4:30 pm. We will be discussing implementation of the key contact list and develop a strategic plan to protect our scope of practice in pediatric physical therapy. We need pediatric therapists knowledgeable in reimbursement, Medicaid, and IDEIA (providing therapy in the school and early intervention settings). As I become more involved in legislative issues, it has become clear to me that we do have expertise to contribute to legislative issues, but we are not connected enough to our state chapters to provide information about pediatric practice when it is needed.
  • The government affairs committee now has three subcommittees:
    1. Medicaid,
    2. Reimbursement
    3. IDEIA.
  • Ginny Paleg is heading up our Reimbursement Subcommittee, Mary Olsen is heading up the IDEIA Subcommittee, and I am covering Medicaid until I can find a knowledgeable volunteer. We are asking Section members to identify themselves as a key contact if they have expertise in their region for these issues. The regional approach is being used due to the variances in how states implement each of these programs. This means there would be three key contacts for each state, one in each of these areas. We ask that key contacts make themselves available to their state chapters, providing expertise for practice, infringement and reimbursement issues. Most state chapters need additional knowledge about these issues. We must start participating at the local levels to protect our scope of practice in pediatrics. If you feel you can be a key contact, please email me at sheryl.low@csun.edu.
• Neonatology Forum
  • Jane Sweeney, Neonatology SIG Chair
    Our Neonatology SIG speaker at the 2007 CSM is T Berry Brazelton, MD, who will speak on “Touchpoints in Infant Development and Parenting” on Saturday from 2:30-3:30 followed by the Neonatology SIG meeting. An informal networking dinner is planned on Saturday evening at 7 pm. Please contact Neonatology SIG Secretary Jan McElroy at janmcelroy@socket.net if you are interested in joining us for the networking dinner. Details on location for the dinner will be announced at the SIG meeting.
• Pediatric Clinical Residency and Fellowship Credentialing Meeting
  • Clinical residency and fellowship programs are growing. If you are starting a pediatric clinical residency or fellowship program, or are working on an application to become an APTA-credentialed postprofessional clinical residency or fellowship program, don't miss the opportunity to converse with directors of established programs and members of APTA’s Committee on Clinical Residency & Fellowship Program Credentialing. “Clinical Residency and Fellowship Programs: Credentialing Forum” (sponsored by the sections on Women’s Health and Geriatrics) will be held at CSM on Friday, February16, 1-3 pm. For more details, go to this link.
  • To find out more about the specifics of starting your own pediatric residency or fellowship program, the Section will host a casual discussion about Clinical Residency & Fellowship Program Credentialing in pediatrics immediately after the session. To attend, please RSVP to cindysliwa@apta.org. 

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Research and Platform Presentations

Four full hours of original pediatric research will be presented in platform presentations on Thursday and Saturday

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Celebration and Socializing

There will be many opportunities to catch up with your Section on Pediatrics associates, coworkers, friends, and classmates.

• Grab a bagel at the Member Breakfast and catch up on news from your state and your region
• Get updates on Section on Pediatrics events, plans, and election results by attending the Section Business Meeting and Awards presentation.
• Visit with more than 300 exhibitors in the exhibit hall, loaded with the latest and greatest innovations in physical therapy and chock-full of free "stuff"
• American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties opening session, celebrating the most recent achievers of the Pediatric Clinical Specialist Certification

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The Section Booth

• Pick up free brochures from our new literature displays
• Purchase our new logo items
• Purchase Section materials, including the Compendium for Teaching Entry-level Physical Therapy Pediatric Content, which made its debut at APTA Annual Conference in Orlando this past June. The Compendium is a fully searchable CD-ROM based resource for individuals who engage in professional level physical therapy education. It contains a wealth resources, learning activities, special projects, and clinical education and curricular models for the delivery of pediatric content. The Compendium will be available for viewing and searching at the Pediatric Section Booth and can be ordered through the Pediatric Section Web page or by contacting Cindy Sliwa at APTA (cindysliwa@apta.org). Discounts are available for Section members and Compendium contributors.
• Volunteer at the Section Booth: The Section on Pediatrics will have a booth outside the exhibit hall at CSM, and volunteers are needed to staff the booth during the day. By volunteering to assist at the Section's booth, your name will be entered in a raffle for a free registration at the next Combined Sections Meeting or Annual Conference (Early Bird - approximately a $350 value). If you are interested in staffing the booth, please e-mail Cindy Sliwa at cindysliwa@apta.org with the times you are available (volunteers are encouraged to sign-up for at least a 2-hour block) or sign up at the booth onsite. Click here for the full booth schedule.

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2007 Diane Cherry Forum

During CSM each year, the Pediatric Section sponsors the Diane Cherry Forum. This is a forum that addresses issues related to the education of future pediatric physical therapists. Please mark your calendars for this year’s forum: “An Exploration of Curricular Models in Entry-Level Pediatric Content: Integrated and Stand Alone Approaches.”The forum will include presentations from four different physical therapy programs, representing four different curricular models for the delivery of pediatric content in entry-level physical therapy programs.

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What’s New From the Practice Committee?

• Recently, the Practice Committee has responded to members’ questions and concerns regarding several key issues in early intervention and school based pediatric physical therapy practice. The issues include eligibility determination through use of criterion-based assessments in early intervention, use of developmental therapists as service providers in early intervention, and use of athletic trainers in school programs. While members do not represent the Section on Pediatrics as an organization, they can be influential in writing to their state lead agencies for Early Intervention and School Services regarding concerns on policies and procedures. For issues related to potential infringement of physical therapy practice, the Practice Committee communicates with the APTA Government Affairs’ Department to keep them informed.
• Save the Date: April 21-22, 2007 – The 2nd Annual Conference on Providing School-Based Physical Therapy Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) will be held in Newark, NJ. To register, go to this link (Planning for the 2008Conference on Providing School-Based Physical Therapy Under IDEIA is also underway and is planned for April 11-12, 2008 in Chattanooga, TN.)
• To access the following new resources from the Practice Committee, go to this link
  • Fact Sheet on Developmental Coordination Disorder
  • Fact Sheet on Resources for Families
• Keep your eyes open for additional resources, soon to be available:
  • Fact Sheet on Promoting Physical Activity for Children
  • Fact Sheet on Head Molding in Infancy
  • Fact Sheet on Assistive Technology in School-based Practice
  • List of books on pediatric physical therapy published by Section members

• Questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Lisa Chiarello, Chair of the Practice Committee, at lisa.chiarello@drexel.edu.

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Reimbursement Subcommittee News

Changes in Power Mobility for Patients with Medicaid: The new power codes went into effect November 15, and there have been massive changes. The biggest change for us will come in April 2008 when all Physical and Occupational Therapists will be required to have ATP Certification to assess and recommend all equipment and assistive technology funded by Medicare. Will other third party payers follow? This is a huge issue. For clients, access may be limited because there are so few nonsupplier-linked, ATP-credentialed therapists, especially in rural areas. Will PTs and OTs need to be credentialed by engineers? Shouldn’t AOTA and APTA be responsible for this process? Or is the ability to complete a PMD assessment already mandated through our practice acts? This will be an ongoing debate, and it may not be resolved by April 1, 2008, when the new regulations go into effect. If PTs and OTs want to continue to be able to do PMD assessments, they will either need to sit for the RESNA exam, and/or work with the AOTA/APTA to figure out a solution.

Changes in the Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)/Justification: The LMN must be written by the licensed/certified medical professional (LCMP), ie, the physician, PT, or OT who did the face-to-face assessment (FTF). The date is very important as there are now strict time lines to follow (45 days from evaluation to the time that the report must be received by supplier). Delivery must occur within 120 days following FTF. The LCMP can have NO financial ties to the supplier (cannot be compensated for their time in any way), except in the case where the health system owns the medical center/clinic and the supplier. After April 1, 2008, the person recommending the equipment (PT or OT) will have to be an Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP - RESNA Certified). The LCMP must clearly indicate that a major reason for the visit was a mobility examination.

Feel free to contact me at ginny@paleg.com with any questions.

Ginny Paleg, PT
Reimbursement Subcommittee Chair

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Public Relations Committee Update

Kids get trykes thanks to SOP and AMBUCS! While PTs across the country were assessingproper bike fit of cyclists for PT Month, Marta Fiala, a Public Relations Committee member, had the idea to team up with AMBUCS, a national charitable organization dedicated to creating mobility and independence for children with disabilities, to do something similar for children with special needs. Donna Metzger, Public Relations Chair, contacted AMBUCS, who expressed interest in this joint endeavor. AMBUCS suggested states where this effort could be supported. Section on Pediatrics Regional Directors, State Representatives and members were contacted and the wheels began to turn. Throughout October and into November, AmTryke Open Houses were held where therapists assessed children for AmTrykes, which are therapeutic tricycles. The children’s names were added to a “Wish List.” AMBUCS will raise the funds to purchase the trykes and give them to the children at no cost to their families.

• Carol Keller, State Representative for Kansas, coordinated the event in Hutchinson, KS on October 7; two children were fitted for AmTrykes. An education session was led by Sue Haywood.
• Mary Parker, State Representative for Georgia, helped with the AMBUCS event on October 13 on Jekyll Island, GA. Two therapists and a PT student fit 9 children for trykes; five of the trykes have been funded.
• Donna Metzger organized the Louisville, KY Open House on October 13 at Churchill Park School. The Louisville Chapter of AMBUCS was supported by the Dayton Ohio Chapter, which came down for the day and brought the trykes for the fittings. The following Section on Pediatrics members assisted with the fittings: Lori Evans, Bonny Fulz, Donna Metzger, Leah Netherland and Melody Prinkleton. Other therapists from Jefferson County Public Schools, K.I.D.S. Center, Commission for Children with Special Healthcare Needs, Jefferson Community College and Frazier Rehabilitation Institute also participated. Forty-nine families showed up! Two children received their very own AmTryke therapeutic tricycle that day; the other 47 children will be put on a Wish List. AMBUCS will raise funds to provide AmTrykes to these children. In addition to the thrill of riding a tricycle, often for the first time, the children and their families were also treated to refreshments, games, crafts, face painting and a clown. It was a fantastic turn-out and fun for all!
• Betsy Fillmore, State Representative for Ohio, helped organize the event in West Chester, OH. Sue Haywood led the education session.
• Mary Lou Garrett, State Representative for Texas, along with Carol Chambers, coordinated the AmTryke event in Bedford, TX. They gave away 15 AmTrykes and added two to their wish list for the new adult sized tryke. Sue Haywood and six other therapists helped the AMBUCS volunteers with the fittings.
• Connie Cushing coordinated the efforts for the AmTryke event in Birmingham, AL. It was held on October 24 at Children’s South, part of the Children’s Health System. Fifteen children and families were scheduled with a few others dropping by to see the trykes. Five children will be receiving AmTrykes with others added to a waiting list. Besides the fittings, there were bike safety tip handouts, bike coloring pages and snacks provided by the PTs for the families to enjoy. The following physical therapists assisted: Connie Cushing, Stephanie Orr, Andrea Belue, Anne Bodenstein, Laura Lee, Kristin Plyler, Carrie Doescher, and Dorothy Carter, PTA. Sheree York, Lisa Steed and Anna Benedict were also there.
• Jennifer Furze, State Representative for Nebraska, coordinated the AmTryke fittings at a Harvest Party at Faith Westwood United Methodist Church on October 28. Fourteen children were evaluated by Jennifer Fruze, Kristen Jones, and Tori Sorenson. LaRue Dyczek and Kelly Nelson also came to support the event. The biggest support came from students. There were 15 Creighton physical therapy students, 15 UNMC physical therapy students, 19 Clarkson College PTA students, 25 Creighton Pre-PT students and a few Pre-OT and OT students from Creighton. Following the evaluations, there were twenty age appropriate and ability appropriate games for the children to play with candy, popcorn and prizes. The AMBUCS chapter’s goal is to find funding for all of the trykes by the end of the summer. This was a very successful event and was a great example of collaboration between AMBUCS, the PT and PTA schools, the Section on Pediatrics and the pediatric therapists.
• Andrea Smith is organizing another AmTryke event for December 2 in Charlotte, NC, at Carolina’s Rehabilitation - Main. We have also received requests for our support in sponsoring events in Kalamazoo, MI, and Lexington, KY.

The Section on Pediatrics extends an enormous “THANK YOU” to each and every person who contributed to the success of these events. We also want to express our appreciation to AMBUCS for bringing this service to the children of our communities. If you would like more information on AMBUCS, please visit their website at http://www.ambucs.org.

Donna Metzger, PT
Public Relations Chair

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