Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Alpha
HLTH Number
122
Course Title
Introduction to Physical Therapy Support Skills
Credits
3
Department
Allied Health Author Donna Haytko-Paoa, Caryl Hitchcock, PhD, &
Katherine Ratliffe, PhD, PT
Date of Outline
02/02/2010
2. Course Description:
Effective Date Spring 2011
5-year Review Date 2016
Provides a theoretical understanding of working with adults and children with
disabilities or neuropathologies in home and community settings; supports
families, parents and caregivers. Students learn to perform scenarios of
therapeutic interventions and learn to work with therapists and allied
health professionals who provide assessment, planning, and delivery of
appropriate related services. Values that will be promoted include a)
family-centered care, b) cultural sensitivity, c) age-appropriate activities,
d) functional skills, and e) collaborative teamwork. Prepares Therapeutic
Activity Aides to work under the supervision of a registered Physical
Therapist.
Cross-list
Contact Hours/Type
3. Pre-requisites
3 hrs lecture
Certificate of Competence for Therapeutic Aide Aide I
Pre-requisite may be waived by consent
Co-requisites
yes
no
none
Recommended Preparation
4. Function/Designation
AS Program
AA LE - Elective
Category
Additional Category
List Additional Programs and Category:
______________________________________________________
______________________
Chancellor
Approval Date
Revised 6/28/2016
Course Outline, page 1
2
AAS Program
BAS Program
Category
Category
Developmental/Remedial
List Additional Programs and Category:
List Additional Programs and Category:
Other/Additional: Explain: Therapeutic Activity Aide II
Certificate of Completion
See Curriculum Action Request (CAR) form for the college-wide general education student learning
outcomes (SLOs) and/or the program learning outcomes (PLOs) this course supports.
This course outline is standardized and/or the result of a community college or system-wide agreement.
Responsible committee:
5. Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): List one to four inclusive SLOs.
For assessment, link these to #7 Recommended Course Content, and #9 Recommended Course
Requirements & Evaluation. Use roman numerals (I., II., III.) to designate SLOs
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
I. Demonstrate theoretical knowledge of appropriate physical therapy skills needed for activity aides to
be effective in community-based settings that involve individuals and groups who require intervention
services.
II.
III.
IV.
6. Competencies/Concepts/Issues/Skills
For assessment, link these to #7 Recommended Course Content, and #9 Recommended Course
Requirements & Evaluation. Use lower case letters (a., b.…zz. )to designate competencies/skills/issues
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
a. Explain conduct that reflects the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Guide to Physical
Therapist Practice, practice standards that are legal, ethical, and safe in professional interactions, client
interventions and employment setting as appropriate for the role of the Therapeutic Activity Aide.
b. Demonstrate knowledge of the scope of practice of the Therapeutic Activity Aide within the
ethical/legal context in the promotion of health and the prevention of disease and disability and/or
neuropathology for the individual, family, and society.
c. Describe relevant characteristics of disabilities including traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord
injury (SCI), cerebral vascular accident (CVA), Guillain-Barre syndrome, Parkinson's disease,
Alzheimer's disease, polio and post-polio syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple
sclerosis, cerebral palsy, various dystrophies and other neuropathology, as they would affect practice of
the Therapeutic Activity Aide.
d. Describe therapeutic interventions used for individuals with neuropathologies such as traumatic brain
injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), cerebral vascular accident (CVA), Guillain-Barre syndrome,
Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer’s disease, polio and post-polio syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS), multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, various dystrophies and other neuropathology.
e. Learn to work with therapists and allied health professionals who provide assessment, planning, and
delivery of appropriate services.
f. Observe the implementation of a plan of care developed by the PT to achieve the short and long-term
goals of treatment and intended outcomes in a community based setting.
Revised 6/28/2016
course outline
3
g. Practice appropriate activities, strategies and techniques in the areas of posture, mobility, and gross
and fine motor skills to meet the needs of the individual.
h. Learn how to assist parents and care-givers to develop routines and activities to facilitate selfdetermination and inclusion of adults and children with special needs at home.
i. Describe the effects of the disability and/or neuropathology on the individual within the cultural
context of the family and society.
7. Suggested Course Content and Approximate Time Spent on Each Topic
Linked to #5. Student Learning Outcomes and # 6 Competencies/Skills/Issues
2-3 weeks Introduction to field of physical therapy (I, a-i)
a. Ethics
b. Code of conduct
c. Interpersonal communication
d. Limitations of practice for Therapeutic Aides
e. Common neurological terms
2-3 weeks Key steps in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders (I, a-i)
a. Documentation and records.
8-9 weeks Intro to neurological anatomy and physiology as it relates to neuropathology (I, a-i)
a. Characteristics and treatment of major neurological disorders:
1. Muscles, nerves, and the spinal cord
2. Cerebrovascular system and higher cortical function
3. Brain tumors and seizure disorders
4. Traumatic brain injury, pain and headache
5. Vestibular system
6. Developmental disorders
7. Alcoholism and withdrawal
2-3 weeks Treatment plan implementation within the context of the family and cultural settings. (I, a-i)
a. Role of the Therapeutic Activity Aide in providing care to individuals with these diagnoses8. Text and Materials, Reference Materials, and Auxiliary Materials
Appropriate text(s) and materials will be chosen at the time the course is offered from those currently
available in the field. Examples include:
Pierson, Frank M and Sheryl L. Fairchild. (2008)
Principles and Techniques of Patient Care, 5th Edition. St. Louis, Missouri: Elseview/Saunders ISBN:
9781416031192
O'Sullivan, Susan B. and Thomas J. Schmitz. (2006) Physical Rehabilitation: Assessment and
Treatment, 5th Edition. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis.
Davis, Larry E., King Molly, Shultz, Jessica. (2005) Fundamentals Of Neurologic Disease
(Paperback). NY: Demos Medical Publishing
Text(s) may be supplemented with articles and handouts prepared by the instructor.
Revised 6/28/2016
course outline
4
Appropriate reference materials will be chosen at the time the course is offered from those currently
available in the field. Examples include: Magazines, Journals, Websites and other peer-reviewed,
evidence-based media appropriate to the course.
Appropriate auxiliary materials will be chosen at the time the course is offered from those currently
available in the field. Examples include: Articles from magazines, journals and newspapers.
Appropriate audio visual materials: Guest speakers and site visits.
9. Suggested Course Requirements and Evaluation
Linked to #5. Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and #6 Competencies/Skills/Issues
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the course is being offered.
Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to:
Activities (I, a - i)
Assignments (I, a - i)
Projects/Presentations (I, a - i)
Other appropriate assessment methods (I, a - i)
50 - 70%
10 - 30%
20 - 30%
0 - 30%
10. Methods of Instruction
Instructional methods will vary considerably by instructor. Specific methods are at the discretion of the
instructor teaching the course and might include, but are not limited to:
Lectures and demonstrations, group discussions, student participation, role play, projects, field trips, and
other appropriate emerging modalities
11. Assessment of Intended Student Learning Outcomes Standards Grid attached
12. Additional Information:
Revised 6/28/2016
course outline