When Small Steps are GIANT LEAPS: Treating Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Program Overview

Raul’s mother insisted something was wrong, but the pediatrician assured her he was healthy and fine. After a few physical therapy sessions and testing, he was referred to a neurologist and diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Today we feature Raul, his mother, his neurologist, and an interprofessional panel to discuss SMA, its biomechanical and orthopedic complications, choosing between disease-modifying therapies, and how, when it comes to the interprofessional care of patients with SMA, it truly takes a village.

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Target Audience

This activity is intended for neurologists, pediatric neurologists, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, orthopedists, nurses (RN/NP/APN), PAs, and other clinicians involved in the care of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Implement evaluations and treatments for the complications of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
Select individualized disease-modifying therapy for patients with SMA
Integrate the unique roles of the interprofessional care team in concert with consensus guidelines and best practice recommendations for management of SMA

Activity Faculty

Diana P. Castro, MD

Associate Professor, Pediatrics and Neurology
University of Texas Southwestern
Children’s Health
Dallas, TX

Susan Apkon, MD

Fischahs Chair, Pediatric Rehabilitation
Chief, Department of Rehabilitation
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Aurora, CO