Rehabilitation Techniques Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

PTHA-2435-001 Rehabilitation Techniques

Prerequisites

Course Description

Comprehensive rehabilitation of selected diseases and disorders.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

Hours

(4 sem hrs 3 lec 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Physical Rehabilitation, 8th ed., O'Sullivan, Schmitz, & Fulk, ISBN 978-08036-6162-2

Neurologic Interventions for Physical Therapy, 4th ed, Martin & Kessler, ISBN 978-0-3236-6175-1

Supplies

Computer with internet access

Student Membership in the American Physical Therapy Association

Student Performance

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Comprehensive rehabilitation of selected diseases and disorders.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:  This course is designed to help the student describe physical therapy management of patients with selected diseases and disorders; formulate rationales for rehabilitation interventions of selected diseases and disorders; demonstrate rehabilitation techniques for selected diseases and disorders; and demonstrate communication skills.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Given the course textbooks, personal notes, handouts, and other material, the student should be able to do each of the following on a written and/or practical examination with an accuracy of 75.0% or higher as evaluated by the faculty of the department:

1. Apply clinical data and patient response to select, implement, progress, modify, or discontinue interventions identified within the physical therapist-established plan of care and recognize when consultation with the supervising physical therapist is required. (7D1)

2. Describe patient impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model. (7D1)

3. Explain principles of agility, balance, coordination, motor control, and functional movement progression. (7A2)

4. Select and perform appropriate tests and measures related to balance, coordination, functional mobility, and gait. (7D2)

5. Implement and appropriately progress PT-directed interventions addressing balance, coordination, functional mobility, pre-gait, and gait based on patient performance and response. (7D1, 7D3)

6. Describe normal and abnormal gait characteristics and relate observed gait deviations to appropriate PT-directed interventions. (7A2, 7D1, 7D3)

7. Explain the purpose and functional implications of common upper-extremity, lower-extremity, and spinal orthoses. (7A2, 7D3)

8. Identify major wheelchair components and implement PT-directed wheelchair mobility, positioning, and accommodation recommendations. (7D3)

9. Explain the rehabilitation considerations associated with amputation and prosthetic use, including residual limb management, mobility, balance, and gait. (7A2, 7D3)

10. Identify adaptive equipment, assistive technology, environmental barriers, and PT-directed home modifications that promote mobility, accessibility, function, and safety. (7D1, 7D3)

11. Explain age-related physiological and functional changes and their implications for physical therapy intervention in older adults. (7A2)

12. Implement safe, evidence-informed interventions for older adults within the established plan of care, considering age-related changes, functional status, and patient response. (7C1, 7D1, 7D3)

13. Explain the anatomy, physiology, pathology, common conditions, surgical procedures, and pharmacological considerations relevant to cardiovascular, pulmonary, vascular, lymphatic, hematologic, integumentary, and reproductive health conditions encountered in physical therapy. (7A2)

14. Select and perform appropriate cardiopulmonary, vascular, and lymphatic tests and measures to monitor patient status and response to physical therapy intervention. (7D2)

15. Implement and appropriately modify PT-directed interventions for cardiovascular, pulmonary, vascular, and lymphatic conditions based on clinical data and patient response. (7D1, 7D3)

16. Explain wound healing, wound characteristics, burn classifications, precautions, contraindications, and factors affecting tissue healing. (7A2)

17. Select and perform appropriate integumentary tests and measures for patients with wounds and burns. (7D2)

18. Safely implement PT-directed wound and burn interventions, including positioning, mobility, therapeutic exercise, and appropriate wound-care techniques. (7D1, 7D3)

19. Explain the physiological and functional effects of cancer and cancer-related treatments and their implications for physical therapy rehabilitation. (7A2)

20. Explain biological, psychological, and social factors that influence pain and the pain experience. (7A2)

21. Select appropriate pain-related tests and measures and implement PT-directed therapeutic exercise, education, and pain-management strategies based on patient presentation and response. (7D1, 7D2, 7D3)

22. Explain anatomical, physiological, psychosocial, and sociocultural considerations related to sex and gender that may influence physical therapy care. (7A2, 7C3)

23. Provide culturally responsive education and resources addressing health promotion, wellness, and primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention for individuals, groups, and communities. (7D10)

24. Demonstrate patient-centered verbal and nonverbal communication appropriate to the needs of patients, caregivers, and other health care professionals. (7C2)

25. Apply evidence-informed practice principles when selecting and implementing rehabilitation interventions within the physical therapist-established plan of care. (7C1, 7D1, 7D3)

26. Demonstrate safe, ethical, patient-centered rehabilitation practices that integrate clinical data, patient goals, cultural considerations, and appropriate communication across rehabilitation settings and populations. (7B1, 7C2, 7C3, 7D1)

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

TECHNOLOGICAL USE

Students will be required to bring a Wi-Fi compatible laptop for all PTHA coursework for testing and academic purposes. Students shall come prepared for lab and lecture with the laptop.

REQUIRED TUTORIAL SUPPORT

If the student scores below 75% on any course exam or practical, they are required to schedule a planning meeting with the course instructor.  At this meeting, the student will be expected to develop an action plan for successful completion of the course. This action plan should identify any areas of weakness in understanding course content and must include methods/strategies that will be used to correct the learning deficit. Failure to meet with the instructor or to complete the action plan may result in a 10-point deduction from the final course grade.  IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO SCHEDULE THE MEETING WITH THE COURSE INSTRUCTOR AND TO COMPLETE THE ACTION PLAN.

As part of the action plan, the instructor may assign the student a task of attending general instructional tutoring from the Amarillo College Tutoring Center or program-specific tutoring from the designated peer/professional tutor. The student may be required to complete both types of tutoring. In addition to the Verification of Tutoring in the Student Engagement Portal, official verification of tutoring must be uploaded by the student into the appropriate course drop box.

LATE WORK/MAKEUP POLICY

Late work will not be accepted without written permission specifying a new due date from the course instructor following a written request by the student. Extensions of the due date are at the discretion of the course instructor. There will be no rescheduling of quizzes. Missed lecture or practical exams may be rescheduled under all the following conditions:  the student must request a makeup exam in writing; the student must provide verification of the reason the exam was missed; and written permission is received from the instructor. Granting permission or imposing any point penalty is at the instructor's discretion.  Makeup exams will be scheduled based on the availability of the instructor. If permission for a makeup exam is not granted, the student will receive a grade of “0”.

Exam grades or practical grades may be dropped at the discretion of the instructor. In the event a student fails to pass a practical exam, the student will be given the opportunity to retake the practical exam one time; however, the maximum earned grade will be 75.0%. Failure of a practical exam retake will result in an “F” in the course.

Grading Criteria

Grade Breakdown

• This or That Article Reviews (3) - 5%
• Quizzes - 5%
• Practicals (2) - 25%
• Tests (2) - 25%
• Final Exam - 40%

Grading Scale

• A = 100-92.0%

• B = less than 92-84.0%

• C = less than 84-75.0%

• F = less than 75%

• Important Note: You need a grade of C or better to successfully complete the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) major.

Attendance

PTA PROGRAM ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the student's responsibility to attend class in accordance with the course requirements established by the instructor. (Amarillo College Student's Rights and Responsibilities Publication). Absences and tardiness will be monitored and evaluated in the Student Engagement Portal to determine a student's final course grade.

The instructor will take attendance for each class and note absences for each student.  Students are expected to be present for the entire class/lab time. Students must report any anticipated class/lab absence to the instructor.

An excused absence is granted at the discretion of the instructor. Verification documentation may be required. A period of extended absences may be considered for approval upon submission of a written request by the student. This will be determined by an ad hoc committee of the 3 faculty members.  

Following an absence, the student is responsible for obtaining missed notes, assignments, copies of handouts, etc. from classmates. The student is also responsible for obtaining any needed clarification of missed information from the course instructor.  After 2 absences in a course, the course instructor will implement an educational contract with the student.

If there is a period where remote access to classes is required because of public health situations, the attendance policies will be revised.

Calendar

Additional Information

Last Day to Withdrawal is November 24, 2026 by 11:59 pm