Focusing on three common neurological disorders in children, epilepsy, ADHD and autism, this course explores the prevalence, diagnosis, etiologies, and integrative treatment for these pediatric disorders. The prevalence of ADHD and autism have skyrocketed over the past couple decades. As of 2022, it's estimated that 7.1 million children in the US have been diagnosed with ADHD and data shows that from 2000-2022, autism has increased from 1 in 150 children (0.66%) to 1 in 31 children (3.2%). There is no biological explanation for such variation, indicating the very powerful effect of socioeconomic, political, educational, or other factors in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and Autism. Approximately 5% of children will experience a seizure during their childhood, a frightening event.

Families who are apprehensive about the side effects of medications for pediatric neurological disorders are turning to integrative medicine for options. Children with ADHD, autism and epilepsy can respond well to personalized care that emphasizes diet, nutrients, physical activity, sleep and mind body techniques in addition to environmental factors. Health professionals who treat these pediatric neurological disorders need to become familiar with the various integrative treatments which are available and to be able to counsel parents effectively concerning all evidence based treatments – both conventional and integrative.

Course objectives:

Integrative Pediatric Neurology: ADHD

• Define the current incidence, prevalence and neurobiology of ADHD, and the change in prevalence over time.
• Discuss the risks and benefits of conventional approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
• Discuss how physical/medical, social/emotional and environmental factors may contribute to ADHD symptoms.
• Differentiate ADHD from other psychosocial, psychological, and neurocognitive conditions.
• Identify the risks and benefits of integrative treatment approaches (including elimination diet, dietary supplement use, and lifestyle interventions) for ADHD in order to counsel families.
• Apply appropriate integrative treatment for children who have an ADHD diagnosis.

Integrative Pediatric Neurology: Autism

• Define the factors that may be contributing to the increasing diagnosis and prevalence of autism over time.
• Discuss the conventional treatment of autism.
• Identify the risks and benefits of integrative treatment approaches (including diets, dietary supplement use, and lifestyle interventions) for autism in order to counsel families.
• Apply appropriate integrative approaches for children who have an autism diagnosis.

Integrative Pediatric Neurology: Epilepsy

• Define incidence, prevalence and etiologies of different types of pediatric epilepsy.
• Discuss conventional approaches to Epilepsy diagnosis and treatment.
• Identify the risks and benefits of integrative treatment approaches (including diets, dietary supplement use, and lifestyle interventions) for epilepsy in order to counsel families.
• Apply appropriate integrative approaches for children who have pediatric epilepsy.

Completion Requirements

Complete all the course work, course evaluation, and the final test with a score of 70% or better. Upon successful completion you will be able to print your certificate of completion.

Curriculum

1. Introduction to ADHD: Discussion of ADHD diagnosis, neurobiology and increase in the diagnosis of ADHD
2. Integrative Approaches to ADHD: Integrative treatments for ADHD are reviewed (risks and benefits). Conventional treatments for ADHD are reviewed.
3. Introduction to Autism: Discussion of increase in diagnosis, genetics and environmental exposures as possible causes.
4. The Integrative Approach to Autism: Review of integrative treatments Conventional treatments are reviewed.
5. Introduction to Epilepsy: Discussion of incidence, prevalence and etiologies of different types of pediatric epilepsy.
6. Integrative Approaches to Epilepsy: Integrative treatments for pediatric epilepsy are reviewed. Includes a review of conventional treatments.
7. Patient Waiting Room: Neurology - Pediatric Focus: Apply your knowledge in 3 virtual patient cases.
8. Exam
9. Evaluation

Target Audience

Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses.

Enrollment

You can register and start immediately. If you register for the course and pay with a credit card you will have immediate access to the course. Once your registration is complete, logout and log back in and your course will be listed on the campus page. If you cannot remember your account information, click the Forgot Password link on the login page and it will be emailed to you.