Paediatric Concussion 101
Paediatric Concussion 101
This course includes
The instructors
Overview
Paediatric Concussion 101 is an introductory course developed in partnership with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) Paediatric Division. This course provides healthcare professionals with an evidence-informed foundation for understanding, assessing, managing, and preventing concussions in children and adolescents.
Participants will explore the evolving science of concussion management, including current best practices for assessment, rehabilitation, return-to-learn and return-to-play protocols, and multidisciplinary care collaboration. The course emphasizes the physiotherapist’s vital role in early identification, individualized rehabilitation planning, patient and family education, and advocacy within school and sport environments.
Through practical clinical insights, standardized assessment tools, and real-world treatment strategies, learners will gain the confidence to support safe, effective recovery for pediatric concussion patients.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Recognize the signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with paediatric concussion
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Describe current concussion prevention strategies and education initiatives, including legislation such as Rowan’s Law
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Conduct comprehensive concussion assessments using validated tools such as ACE, Child SCAT, PCSI, and Rivermead questionnaires
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Assess and differentiate multi-system concussion presentations including cervical, vestibular, ocular motor, cardiovascular, and psychological factors
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Apply evidence-based rehabilitation strategies, including manual therapy, graded aerobic exercise, and symptom-based progression
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Implement return-to-learn and graduated return-to-play protocols
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Identify and manage persistent post-concussion symptoms using interdisciplinary care approaches
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Prescribe safe, sub-threshold aerobic exercise using tools such as the Buffalo Treadmill Test
Audience
This course is designed for healthcare professionals working with pediatric and adolescent populations, including:
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Physiotherapists
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Rehabilitation professionals
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Athletic therapists
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Sports medicine clinicians
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Occupational therapists
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Healthcare providers involved in youth concussion management
It is particularly valuable for clinicians seeking practical guidance on current concussion guidelines and multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategies.
Why This Course Matters
Paediatric concussions are increasingly recognized as complex, multi-system injuries that require early identification, individualized management, and collaborative care. Traditional approaches emphasizing prolonged rest are being replaced with research-supported strategies promoting early, controlled return to activity and school participation.
This course equips clinicians with up-to-date clinical frameworks to:
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Reduce the risk of prolonged post-concussion symptoms
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Support safe reintegration into school and sport environments
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Improve patient and family education and engagement
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Enhance interdisciplinary communication and care coordination
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Strengthen clinician confidence in managing complex concussion presentations
With growing awareness around youth concussion safety and legislation, healthcare providers must remain current with evolving clinical evidence to optimize patient outcomes.
About the Presenter
Charlotte Anderson, PT
Charlotte is a graduate of the University of Toronto's MSc PT program. Upon graduation, she opened ALPHA Health Services in Toronto. ALPHA is a multi-disciplinary private practice clinic, with multiple locations in Toronto, and Muskoka. She completed her PhD in 2019 from U of T, and her Post Doctoral Fellowship at McMaster in 2021.
She is a co-founder of 360 Concussion Care in Ottawa, and continues to research physical rehabilitation methods and best practices for concussion management. Charlotte is a concussion researcher, and works clinically with patients of all ages with orthopaedic and/or concussion/post-concussion injuries.
The instructors
The Paediatric Division is a special interest group within the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Our membership consists of clinicians from all practice settings, students, educators, researchers, physiotherapy assistants and administrators all of whom have a passion for promoting participation and enhancing the lives of children and their families. We are dedicated to provide resources and information for paediatric patients and their families to promote participation and function independence in all aspects of life.
Paediatric physiotherapists employ clinical expertise in the early detection of health problems, treatment, education and management of congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal, cardiorespiratory or acquired disorders/diseases. Paediatric physiotherapists work with children of all ages, from infants through young adulthood to promote participation and functional independence. Paediatric physiotherapists have a unique role in that they not only work with the child, but also their families in the context of their daily home, school and recreational environment.
Paediatric physiotherapists use validated outcome measures to assess the level of strength, flexibility, gross-, and fine-motor coordination and overall functional capabilities to determine participation limitations or restrictions as a result of injury, disease or disability.
Through analysis of objective assessment findings, the paediatric physiotherapist uses evidence-based treatment interventions specifically tailored to the client and their family's goals. Treatment interventions focus on improving gross and fine motor skills, balance and coordination, strength and endurance, as well as cognitive and sensory processing/integration.
Material included in this course
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Introduction, Symptoms, and Post-Concussion Syndrome
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Introduction
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Symptoms of Concussion
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Post-Concussion Syndrome
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Preventing Concussion in Kids and Teens
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Video Lesson: Preventing Concussion in Kids and Teens
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Summary and Key Insights: Preventing Concussion in Kids and Teens
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Assessment Tools
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Video Lesson: Assessment Tools
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Summary and Key Insights: Assessment Tools
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Treatment
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Video Lesson: Treatment
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Summary and Key Insights: Treatment
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Return to Activity
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Video Lesson: Return to Activity
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Summary and Key Insights: Return to Activity
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Questions and Course Feedback
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Questions
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Course Feedback
Patient education included in this course
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Understanding Concussion in Children and Teens
I'm a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). What are the discounts available to CPA Members on Embodia?
As part of our partnership with the CPA, we offer its members discounts on courses and Embodia Memberships. Learn more about the partnership on this page.
In order for the discount to be applied, you first need to authenticate your CPA membership. This is an important step as this is how Embodia 'knows' that you are a CPA member.
To authenticate as a CPA member, you need to sign in the CPA portal on this page, sign in to your CPA account, and then click the button on the page.
Please note that your email address on your CPA account must match your email address on Embodia. If needed, you can update your information on Embodia as outlined in this guide.
Is a certificate of completion included with this course?
Once you have completed the course, a certificate of completion (including learning hours and course information) will be generated. You can download this certificate at any time. To learn more about course certificates on Embodia please visit this guide.
This can be used for continuing education credits, depending on your professional college or association. If this course has been approved for CEUs in specific jurisdictions, it will be noted on the course page and CEU information may be added to your course certificate. Please read this guide for more information.