Positioning 365 - Beyond Seating

Standing and Spina Bifida

Maryann Girardi and Doug Levine spend time with Larissa Bomberger on this podcast, a physical therapist out of Oregon who specializes in working with children with spina bifida. Together, they explore the benefits of supported standing for children with spina bifida, highlighting musculoskeletal gains, social–emotional impact, and the importance of making standing programs fun while fostering independence. They also discuss funding challenges and encourage clinicians to advocate and appeal when denials occur.

Standing Devices and the ICF Model

In this episode, Altimate Medical, Inc. clinical education specialists Kristen Cezat and Britta Schwartzhoff are joined by Cara Masselink, PhD, OTRL, ATP, HPCS—Associate Professor in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Western Michigan University and Executive Director of the Clinician Task Force (at the time of recording). Together, they explore the collaborative position paper developed by RESNA and the Clinician Task Force on the use of supported standing devices. The conversation highlights how supported standing aligns with multiple domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model, with Cara offering insight into its broad clinical impact.

Clinical Insights for Supported Standing in Outpatient SCI Rehab

In this episode, Altimate Medical, Inc. clinical education specialists Maryann Girardi and Kristen Cezat sit down with Pauli Selimo, a physical therapist from an outpatient neuro facility in Atlanta. Pauli shares her expertise on integrating supported standing into therapy for individuals with spinal cord injury. She discusses key clinical decision-making factors, real-world experiences, and the impact of standing interventions for her clients.

Stand Up for Recovery: An OT’s Perspective

In this episode, Maryann Girardi, PT, and Kristen Cezat, PT, sit down with Jason Roth, an Occupational Therapist at an acute rehabilitation hospital in California. Jason shares his experiences integrating supported standing into his therapy sessions with neurologically impaired individuals during their acute rehab stay. He discusses why supported standing is crucial for various neurologic impairments and highlights the significant goals his patients have achieved using this innovative OT intervention. This conversation offers valuable insights into the benefits and practical applications of supported standing in acute rehabilitation.

Standing with Multiple Sclerosis

Almost 1 million individuals in the United State have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis affects one’s motor skills including the ability to stand. Not being able to stand has effects on many body systems as well as an individual’s Quality of Life. Join Maryann Girardi, PT, DPT, ATP, Clinical Education Specialist at Altimate Medical, Inc as she talks with Clarissa Luzuriaga-Perez, PT and Lawrence Harding, MS, PT about the challenges and rewards of supported standing programs for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.