Management of Neurological Disorders Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.

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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.

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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 .

Course

PTHA-2431-001 Management of Neurological Disorders

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: PTHA 1260, PTHA 1301, PTHA 1405, PTHA 1413, PTHA 1431, PTHA 2301, and PTHA 2409. Corequisites: PTHA 1321 and PTHA 2435.

Course Description

Comprehensive rehabilitation techniques of selected neurological disorders.

Student ResourcesStudent 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

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Physical Rehabilitation: Assessment and Treatment by O’Sullivan, Schmitz, and Fulk, 7th ed.

Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques by Kisner, Borstad, and Colby, 8th ed.

Neurologic Interventions for Physical Therapy by Martin and Kessler, 4th ed.

Supplies

 Laptop computer

Student Performance

COURSE DESCRIPTION:    Advanced course integrating previously learned and new skills/techniques into the comprehensive rehabilitation of selected long-term neurological pathologies. In order to successfully complete the Amarillo College Physical Therapist Assistant Program, the student must achieve a score of 600 (out of a maximum score of 800 points) on the Capstone exam. Successful completion of the Amarillo College PTA Program and achievement of a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination allows the graduate eligibility for licensure as a physical therapist assistant in all 50 states of the United States.

PTHA 2431 Management of Neurological Disorders

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 accuracy of 76.0% or higher as evaluated by faculty of the department:

1. Outline the impairments, activity limitations, and participation limitations utilizing the ICF model for a patient with a neurological diagnosis.
2. Demonstrate the ability to perform muscle strength and muscle tone assessment techniques for a patient with a neurological condition.
3. Develop a physical therapy treatment session and progression for a scenario study utilizing interventions from within the physical therapist's plan of care, supported by at least one peer-reviewed journal article.
4. Assess the statistical and clinical significance of peer-reviewed journal articles regarding treatment interventions for neurological patient populations.
5. Demonstrate appropriate teaching strategies for a patient with a neurological diagnosis regarding disease/condition, treatment interventions, and home exercise program in a role play situation.
6. Identify stages for exercise progression within the established physical therapy plan of care for a given example of a patient with a neurological diagnosis..
7. Identify situations where the supervising physical therapist should be consulted due to change in status or lack of progress of a neurological patient.
8. Recognize when the direction to perform an intervention for a patient with a neurological condition is beyond that which is appropriate for a physical therapist assistant.
9. Describe the safety, status, and progression of patients with neurological conditions while engaged in gait, balance, wheelchair management, and mobility activities.
10. Identify methods to produce or relieve trauma to the skin that may be caused by assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective, supportive or prosthetic devices and equipment for a patient with a neurological diagnosis.
11. Compose a home exercise program for a patient with a neurological disorder utilizing interventions from within the supervising physical therapist's plan of care.
12. Demonstrate the ability to perform NDT techniques related to basic neurodevelopmental sequencing and identify abnormal patterns of movement
13. Demonstrate the ability to perform common PNF interventions for patients with neurological conditions
14. Demonstrate the ability to modify treatment from within the physical therapist’s plan of care due to changes in patient status and accurately document these changes for a patient with a neurological diagnosis
15. Demonstrate appropriate education techniques for a patient with a neurological disorders while addressing safety and functional issues
16. Compose a clear and concise SOAP format note documenting various physical therapy interventions from within the physical therapist’s plan of care
17. Recognize orthopedic disabilities common to pediatric and adult patients with neurological conditions
18. Recognize the common use of orthotic devices and assistive devices for pediatric and adult patients with neurological conditions
19. Recognize common balance, gait, and functional instruments used by physical therapists to assess patients with neurological conditions.
20. Recognize common strategies for the treatment of a patient with a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
21. Demonstrate the ability to progress a mock patient through a basic treatment progression as stated in the physical therapist’s plan of care for a patient with a CVA
22. Identify the eight levels of recovery following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as identified in the Ranchos Los Amigos Cognitive Rating Scale and how these levels effect physical therapy treatment
23. Recognize common strategies for the treatment of a patient with a TBI
24. Recognize common strategies for the treatment of a patient with a spinal cord injury (SCI) including therapeutic exercise and activities of daily living training.
25. Demonstrate the ability to educate a patient with a spinal cord injury on balance, bed mobility, home exercise, transfers, range of motion, skin care and respiratory management
26. Compare the different theories of treatment related to upper and lower motor neuron lesions
27. Recognize common assessment techniques and treatment interventions used for patients with neurological conditions
28. Recognize activities, positioning, postures, assistive devices, and adaptive devices that can produce associated skin trauma in patients with neurological conditions
29. Identify changes in a patient’s arousal, attention, mentation, and cognition
30. Demonstrate the ability to assess arousal, orientation, cognition, attention, and memory.
31. Identify common pediatric conditions treated in physical therapy
32. Recognize common physical therapy assessment tools and interventional strategies used for the treatment of pediatric patients
33. Given a case scenario, create a functional training program for domestic, education, work, community, social, and civic life
34. Outline the disabilities associated with lesions at various segments of the spinal cord
35. Identify characteristic signs/symptoms of various mental health disorders
36. Identify characteristics and physical therapy implications of dementia

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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

Students shall read the Amarillo College "Student Rights and Responsibilities" information with emphasis placed on the Academic Information, Student Conduct and Responsibilities, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education/Prevention Program sections.

Students will not use cell phones in the classroom unless the instructor allows use for a specific activity. All such devices must be placed on silent mode and kept stored. If a student expects that there may be some type of emergency, the student should inform the instructor prior to the beginning of class. Unauthorized use of cell phones in class will result in the student being asked to leave the class and being counted absent for the lecture/lab.

Student participation is a required element during Lecture and Lab classes. If a student refuses to participate actively or is disengaged in a discussion or activity, the student may be asked to leave class and will be counted absent for the day. Students do have the right to refuse the application of any specific treatment or activity for medical or personal reasons. This does not constitute a reason for absence from class. Alternate activities or assignments will be required.

Dishonesty in the classroom or in completing any assignment will not be tolerated. Students demonstrating academic dishonesty as defined in the "Student Rights and Responsibilities" publication will receive a grade of "F" in the course and will be subject to all PTA Program policies regarding course failure.

Dress Code

Students in the PTA Program are expected to dress conservatively and professionally, as expected in the clinic. The student will attend class in clothing that is clean and neat. At times the student may be required to wear business professional dress including black, navy, or khaki pants and polo-type shirts. Closed-toe, closed-heel shoes with non-slip soles in good, clean condition should be worn during all class and lab activities. Amarillo College Badge/ID's should also be worn during all off-campus class and clinical activities. Student’ hair must be clean, secured back off the face, and styled in a manner that is professional in appearance. Hair color must be a naturally occurring color. All jewelry and cologne should be conservative and limited to a minimal amount. Hats must not be worn at any time in the practicum setting. Fingernails should be short and clean. Facial hair must be kept neatly trimmed to the standards required by the clinical setting. Students will always maintain good hygiene, with daily bathing/showering, oral hygiene, and use of antiperspirant required. The student's professional dress is subject to approval by the course instructor. If professional dress code is not followed, the student may not be able to participate in the scheduled activity, may receive an attendance penalty for the day, and/or may not have the option to makeup the assignment

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria

Assignments/Quizzes                     10% 

Neuro Project                                    10%

Lecture Exams                                   45%

Final Exam                                          20% 

Lab Practicals                                     15%

• The class average must be at least 76.0% for the student to successfully pass the course. The student must successfully complete all assignments and meet course objectives in order to pass the course.
• Students who do not meet minimum proficiencies during a lab practical, scoring a 75.9% or below, will be given one opportunity to re-test before the course is completed. If the practical is repeated to achieve competency, the highest grade that can be achieved is 76.0%. Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in ALL critical safety elements before being allowed to pass the course. If a student is absent on the day of a practical exam, the highest grade that can be achieved is 76.0% except in extenuating circumstances as determined by the instructor. 
• Assignments may be in the form of a quiz or submission and may be graded on a check-mark system for satisfactory completion. If unsatisfactory work is submitted, the assignment is returned to the student for correction and edits. FAILURE TO COMPLETE ANY SINGLE ASSIGNMENT TO A SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE WILL RESULT IN A ZERO FOR ASSIGNMENTS GRADE TO BE CALCULATED INTO THE FINAL GRADE AS WEIGHTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR. 

Any student scoring a 79 or lower on an exam or practical is REQUIRED to contact the instructor to discuss remediation. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO SCHEDULE THIS SESSION. The student will be required to schedule and attend tutoring at one of AC’s tutoring centers. Locations for tutoring can be found at https://www.actx.edu/tutoring/. The required number of tutoring sessions will be determined at the discretion of the instructor. The student will be required to bring verification of attendance at tutoring to the instructor.

GRADING SCALE:
A = 100 - 92.0
B = 91.9 - 84.0
C = 83.9 - 76.0
F = 75.9 - 0

Note: A grade of C or better is required to complete the PTA major.

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. The course instructor may not grant an extension of the due date. 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. The granting of permission or the imposition of any point penalty is at the discretion of the instructor. 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”.The student should expect to take the make-up exam on the day the student returns to class, unless otherwise notified by the instructor.

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 76.0%. Failure of a practical exam retake
will result in an “F” in the course

LAST DATE TO DROP/WITHDRAW:  November 21, 2023. Any student not withdrawn by November 21, 2023 will receive the grade earned.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the
student to attend class in accordance with the requirements of the course as 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 roll for each class and note absences for each student. Students who are not
present at the beginning of class are counted absent. A student will receive TWO bonus points to the
final grade for perfect attendance for all lecture and lab classes with a prior passing minimum average of 76%.

Students are expected to be present for the entire class/lab time. Students must report any anticipated
class/lab absence to the instructor. Habitual late arrivals after the scheduled start time of class, extended breaks during class, or early departures are disruptive to the class. The student must directly report the reason for any tardiness to the instructor. For each unexcused absence or for every 3 instances of missing class time, the student will be required to complete an additional assignment that will be included in the grade calculation.

If a student is asked to leave a class due to disruption or lack of participation, the student will be
counted absent for that entire class and will have an additional assignment.

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.

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

Instructional Methods include: lecture and Lab activities.  

LAB DRESS CODE: Appropriate dress is required during scheduled lab times.

Females: shorts, sports bra, halter, or swimsuit top (fasteners need to be in the back), athletic clothing as a cover-up

Males: shorts, T-shirt, athletic clothing as a cover-up

SAFETY PROCEDURES: In case of an emergency, the student needs to call the Safety and Security department at 9-371-5163.  In an emergency situation, use the nearest phone that is available.  The student should also know in case of a medical emergency, the following procedure should be performed and in the order written:

1. call 9-911 for an ambulance
2. call safety and security

THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THE SYLLABUS AS NEEDED DURING THE SEMESTER.  ANY MODIFICATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS.