Assessment of Complex Gait and Motor Patterning in Pediatrics

Overview

Complex Gait and Motor Patterning in Pediatrics is a comprehensive introduction to the principles, assessment frameworks, and clinical applications of pediatric gait analysis. Presented by Karen Davies, MSc, PT, from the Motion Lab at Sunny Hill Health Centre at BC Children’s Hospital, this course explores how to systematically evaluate and manage complex mobility challenges in children and adolescents.

Participants will develop a strong understanding of both observational and computerized gait analysis, physical and functional examination measures, and evidence-informed intervention design. The course explains the prerequisites of typical gait, structured observation techniques, and how to utilize clinical data to address multi-joint deviations, motor patterning, and evaluate pre- and post-intervention outcomes.

Through practical case studies and clinical reasoning, practitioners will be introduced to the concepts of:

• Incorporating functional scales (GMFCS, FMS) and physical exam measures into routine assessments.

• Distinguishing the clinical utility of qualitative observational analysis versus quantitative 3-dimensional computerized gait analysis (CGA).

• Building a practical toolkit for structured video observation and systematic gait evaluation.

• Utilizing gait data to guide decision-making for interventions like orthoses, casting, and surgical planning.

Pediatric gait assessment is presented not just as a diagnostic tool, but as a goal-oriented framework that addresses everything from activities of daily living and independence to body image, pain management, and long-term functional recovery.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the prerequisites of typical gait, including stance stability, foot clearance, and energy conservation.

• Apply practical strategies to incorporate functional scales and physical exam measurements in the assessment of pathological gait in children and adolescents.

• Distinguish between scenarios where specialized 3D computerized gait analysis (CGA) is indicated versus when observational gait analysis is appropriate.

• Utilize gait analysis data to assess common gait pathologies in children and formulate individualized management strategies (including bracing, tone management, or surgical referrals).

• Apply goal-oriented frameworks, such as the Gait Outcomes Assessment List (GOAL), to address patient-specific mobility and lifestyle needs.

• Set up and execute high-quality video gait observations using accessible technology and standardize findings using rating scales like the EVGS.

Audience

This course is designed for healthcare professionals who manage or assess pediatric mobility and gait patterns in clinical practice, including:

• Physical Therapists

• Occupational Therapists

• Orthotists and Prosthetists

• Kinesiologists

• Rehabilitation Assistants

• Pediatricians and referring physicians

Both clinicians working in community settings and those managing complex pediatric cases will benefit from building a stronger observational foundation.

Why This Course Matters

Pediatric gait analysis offers a vital framework for understanding and managing mobility challenges in growing children, enabling targeted interventions that improve independence, function, and quality of life.

Evidence strongly supports the use of 3-D CGA in pre-operative assessments. It provides objective data, has been shown to successfully reduce the number of surgeries in children, and results in better long-term management of children with ambulation challenges. However, because there are a limited number of specialized gait and motion labs in Canada, it is essential for community therapists and clinicians to be highly proficient in observational gait analysis and thorough physical examination.

A systematic approach allows clinicians to isolate specific deficits, such as equinus contractures or internal tibial torsion, and directly map them to functional impairments like tripping or fatigue. For patients and their families, a comprehensive gait assessment ensures that interventions align with their specific goals. For clinicians, it provides objective, reproducible data to evaluate the efficacy of interventions over time and facilitates seamless collaboration across community healthcare teams.

Instructor Biography

Karen Davies, MSc, PT

Karen Davies started her professional practice at BC Children’s Hospital in 1999, rotating in a new graduate position every six months through cardiology, general respirology, adolescent care, intensive care, oncology, and outpatients. Following this, she volunteered in a polio clinic in India for six months, training community rehabilitation workers in remote locations. She then worked at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in the neuromusculoskeletal, acquired brain injury, and spinal cord injury programs.

She returned to pediatrics in 2004 in the Acute Rehabilitation program at Sunny Hill Health Centre at BC Children’s Hospital. After spending time on the Positioning and Mobility team and providing early intervention and school therapy outreach services for North Vancouver Island, she joined the Motion Lab (previously Gait Lab) in 2007. In the Motion Lab, she has served as a knowledge broker, worked as a research assistant for a multi-centre research project, and completed her MSc degree examining the long-term outcomes of idiopathic toe walkers. She is currently leading a 3-year pilot project to determine the feasibility of implementing a community-based rowing program for adolescents with cerebral palsy.