The Evaluation and Treatment of Upper Limb Ataxia

Course Description:

This course is intended for all healthcare professionals who treat individuals with cerebellar ataxia. The aim of this course is to bridge the clinical gap between evidence-based research and the clinical application in the treatment of Upper Limb Ataxia.  This course will assist the learner in identifying the unique clinical presentations between the main types and causes of ataxia, discuss common clinical characteristics of Ataxia as well as develop an underlying understanding of the pathophysiology deriving these atypical manifestations.  The primary concentration will be on the upper limb ataxia with a comprehensive approach to the identification of common movement disorders, execution of positional screening, finger testing, pen and paper tasks followed by a training in the implementation of coordinative, oculomotor, postural, Frenkel and proprioceptive loading exercises. A supporting compensatory based approach will include the use of adapted equipment and activity adaptations. The learner will receive both a skilled treatment and documentation terminology inventory for in-clinic application.