Virtual Pop-Up Proposals Due | Empowering Pediatric Toileting Success: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Bowel and Bladder Health

The Pediatric Pelvic Health SIG is seeking session proposals for their event Virtual Pop-Up Proposals Due | Empowering Pediatric Toileting Success: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Bowel and Bladder Health (Scheduled for June 2026).

This virtual pop-up event, hosted by the Pediatric Pelvic Health Special Interest Group, will focus on evidence-based assessment, intervention, and interprofessional collaboration in the management of pediatric toileting dysfunction. The event will highlight the unique role of physical therapists in the pediatric pelvic health space and their role in toilet learning and its impact on children and families. Through expert presentations, case studies, and interactive discussions, attendees will gain practical tools for promoting positive toilet learning and addressing toileting dysfunction in children across settings.

This topic is directly aligned with the Pediatric Pelvic Health SIG’s mission to advance clinical excellence, collaboration, and education in the specialized care of children with pelvic floor dysfunction. Toileting difficulties are among the most common yet under-treated pediatric concerns. These issues significantly affect children’s participation in daily life, school attendance, and psychosocial development. Despite the high prevalence, many providers and families are unaware of the role that physical therapists can play in addressing these conditions. This event seeks to bridge that gap by empowering PTs with evidence-informed strategies, strengthening interprofessional ties, and raising awareness of pediatric pelvic health within the profession and broader healthcare community.

Desired Abstract Topics

We are seeking proposals across the following topics:

• Innovative approaches to pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy for toileting dysfunction
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with GI, urology, and behavioral health
• Trauma-informed care in pediatric pelvic health
• Strategies for toilet learning in children with neurodevelopmental disorders
• Family-centered education and motivational strategies for treatment adherence
• Addressing the psychosocial impact of chronic toileting issues
• Case studies: fear of toileting and withholding

Speaker Eligibility

At least one speaker in the session must be an Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy member (preferred). The topic may be co-presented by one or multiple individuals (up to 3 max).

Proposal Expectations

1. Completion: Must include all the component requirements as listed on the call for proposals.
2. Duration: Presentation must be 45-min in duration
3. Topic Scope: Proposal topic must align with the event theme, APTA Pelvic Health mission, and scope of practice.
4. Originality: Session proposals should be informative, engaging, and relevant to pelvic health physical therapy in the aforementioned topic scope context. Must avoid presenting repetitive information that duplicates content previously shared at past symposiums. The proposed topic should not be identical or too similar to a CAPP course or an existing Collaborative Course. However, if the proposal is based on a similar topic, it should offer differentiation by exploring the subject in greater depth or approaching it from a unique perspective. Originality and avoiding redundancy are key considerations when preparing and submitting proposals.
5. Evidence-Based: Provides valuable, evidence-based insights and perspectives to the conference attendees.
6. Knowledge Transfer: Topics should include a section of the presentation that explains how clinicians can implement the course content into practice.

Proposal Components

Proposal submissions must contain the following components:

1. Title (15 words maximum)
2. Session description (200 words maximum).
3. Session learning objectives (four maximum).
4. Bibliography. Minimum of five to seven current bibliographic references (in AMA format), no more than 7 years old at the time of presentation.
5. Speaker information, including name, degrees, credentials, institutions, city, state, and speaker bios that highlight relevant experience of the presenter(s).
6. Keywords to help potential attendees search for the session topic.
7. Recommended content level (basic, intermediate, advanced).
8. Conflict of interest disclosures

Speaker Expectations if Proposal is Selected

1. Submission of Signed Contract: Speaker must complete and sign the Academy's speaker agreement within 7 days of proposal selection.
2. Submission of Pre-Recorded Session Video and Handouts: Speaker(s) agrees to submit a 45-minute session recording along with any handouts to the Academy at least 30 days prior to the virtual pop-up.
3. Live Q&A Participation: Speaker(s) agrees to participate in a live 15-minute question and answer session on the day of the pop-up immediately following their aired pop-up session.
4. Adherence to Speaker Guidelines: Speaker agrees to adhere to the Academy of Pelvic Health's speaker guidelines.

Speaker Honorarium

If selected, the speaker or speaker group will receive an honorarium total of $100. If there is more than one speaker for a session, the speaker team will split the honorarium by the number of speakers/presenters.

Inquiries

For inquiries, please contact hello@aptapelvichealth.org.