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State Spinal Cord Injury Service

Spinal Seating Modules

How to use these modules

The Spinal Seating education modules have been developed as an educational series for therapists with limited experience in spinal seating or limited exposure to spinal clients. However they may also provide a useful clinical reference for more experienced clinicians, or depository of helpful resources that can support existing clinical practice. These modules may also inspire you to take a greater interest in spinal seating; a field that promises to always be challenging and rewarding.

The Spinal Seating Modules

Educational series

If you are using these modules to learn the basics of spinal seating we encourage you to read through them all and work through the case studies and quizzes to check your understanding of the material presented. The material in these modules is intended to contain a comprehensive overview of introductory spinal seating. Please feel free to provide feedback if the material is unclear or if there are topics which would benefit from greater detail.

Clinical Reference

These modules have been updated to reflect current research within the spinal seating community and the experience of active seating therapists. The modules will be maintained with a view to keeping them up-to-date and relevant, please contact us if you find inaccuracies in the information or have come across relevant research that should be reflected in the modules.

Assessment Forms and other Resources

Contained within the modules are a number of assessment forms and other resources that you are free to use in your practice. These resources include forms to aid in the process of client information gathering, links to instructional videos, case studies, quizzes, and information sheets which will all enrich your understanding of the course content and benefit your clinical practice.

Launch pad

If working through these modules inspires you to learn more about spinal seating we encourage you to pursue further education and training in the field. A range of options for further education include: structured academic courses, online courses, seating and spinal academic conferences, seating workshops, product expos, and product demonstrations organised by suppliers.

The anatomy of a module

The modules within this series use a common layout to make them easier to follow, and find specific information quickly. The main topics within the module will be outlined at the beginning of each module with quick links to each section. The sections of a typical module are explained below:

Module number
and title
Gives an overview of the topic to be covered and acts a reference for referring between modules.
Aim
The aim gives a broad idea of the subject matter that will be covered in the module.
Rationale
Each module gives a brief reasoning of why it has been included in the program. The rationale typically points to one of the essential learning outcomes.
Outcomes
The expected specific learning outcomes of each module are clearly stated at the beginning. Refer back to these to check that these outcomes are met after completing the module.
In this module
Each module contains a list of the main topics that are covered. Each topic is a clickable link that can be used to go directly to that section of the module.
Main topics
Each module is divided into topics that are intended to break the information into manageable blocks, while presenting the information in a logical and systematic progression.
Sub topics
Some topics are further divided into sub topics. This is typically done when a topic is very large but the information needs to be considered together to gain a clear understanding of the topic. There may be some repetition when the information overlaps between categories.
Key concepts
in this module
Some topics are further divided into sub topics. This is typically done when a topic is very large but the information needs to be considered together to gain a clear understanding of the topic. There may be some repetition when the information overlaps between categories.
Case study
or Quiz
Many of the modules finish with a case study or quiz that aids in consolidating the information presented.
Module references
Where the module quotes from other research sources these are referenced at the end of the module.

Resource icons used in these modules

A wide range of resources are suggested to support or consolidate the information provided in these modules. The resources have been grouped into different categories, with each category having a distinct icon to make it easier to keep track of the type of resource being presented. The different categories of resource are described below:

Downloadable Forms

Downloadable Forms

These forms have been designed to assist in clinical practice associated with the various assessments and stages of documenting a spinal seating intervention. They are freely available for download. Please reference this website if they are used in publications or presentations.

Further Your Knowledge

Further Your Knowledge

Links to research papers or articles which cover topics in greater detail. These links are a great way to learn more about issues which are specific to individual clients.

Handy Hints

Handy Hints

These guides offer helpful pointers that will be of assistance in the various stages of a spinal seating intervention.

Online Resources

Online Resources

These links are to websites which contain resources relevant to spinal seating.

Useful Equipment

Useful Equipment

These icons indicate a list of useful tools and forms that will facilitate the stage of assessment or review currently being discussed.

Instructional Videos

Instructional Videos

These video links provide excellent resources to clearly explain or emphasise the topic being discussed.

Case Study and Quiz Downloads

Case Study and Quiz Downloads

Case studies presented in these modules provide examples of how the information relates to actual practice. These case studies, as well as the questions and answers can be downloaded in print-friendly formats to enable them to be used offline if desired. Quizzes reinforce core concepts and knowledge emphasised in the modules.