Supporting students with physical limitations means staying updated on new medicine, treatments and available equipment. On Oct. 23, School-Based Therapy Services hosted a daylong professional development workshop to explore ways to support movement and independence for students with complex physical needs, such as spina bifida and non-idiopathic scoliosis.  

Nearly 50 Harris County Department of Education physical therapists and physical therapy assistants gathered at the Irvington Conference Center for the “Enhancing Function and Participation: PT in Schools for Children with Spina Bifida and Non-Idiopathic Scoliosis” workshop. Held during National Physical Therapy Month, the workshop created a space to celebrate their successful strategies, network with colleagues in other districts and gain new insights into better supporting their students.  

Experts from the Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation team were keynote speakers. Dr. Unoma Akamagwuna, medical director of the TCH Spina Bifida Clinic, explained how the condition that affects the spine and spinal cord can cause weakness, paralysis and hydrocephalus. She led discussions about choosing the right bracing or mobility equipment and recognizing cognitive and physical warning signs that might need medical attention. Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Margaret Baldwin provided insight into non-idiopathic scoliosis, a curvature of the spine caused by congenital or neuromuscular disorders. She helped therapists review various spinal conditions, guided groups through treatment options, and explained what to expect during students’ recovery and return to school activities.  

The seminar left therapists feeling more confident in their ability to recognize these conditions and how to adjust the school environment or therapeutic implementations to help students thrive.