Pediatric Pelvic Health: CSM learning and connecting opportunities
Pediatric pelvic health physical therapy plays a vital role in identifying and addressing bowel and bladder challenges early in a child’s development. These conditions can influence far more than physical function—they may affect confidence, emotional well-being, family routines, and a child’s ability to fully participate at school and in peer activities.
Whether you are a pelvic health clinician hoping to broaden your skills with pediatric populations or a pediatric therapist eager to learn how to screen and treat pelvic health concerns, CSM offers an excellent opportunity to begin building that expertise. With so many topics and sessions available, it can be difficult to know where to begin. We’ve hand-picked some learning opportunities that may help you as a new or experienced pediatric pelvic health PT.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- 8am-5pm (pre-conference course): Guided By Growth: Age and Diagnosis-Based Manual Therapy and Joint Mobilization in Pediatric Physical Therapy
PD-25031 (https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2026/meetingapp.cgi/Session/25031)
This session equips PTs with the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively perform lower extremity joint mobilization for pediatric patients, tailored by age, developmental stage, and diagnosis. As a pediatric pelvic health PT, you know the importance of lower extremity, hip and pelvic movement. Manual skills can help you to boost your evaluation and treatment toolbox when working with kiddos with pelvic health needs. This event requires a separate registration.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
- 9:30am-10:30am | Hilton Anaheim: Pediatric SIG Meet & Greet
🎟️ RSVP (https://www.aptapelvichealth.org/events/pedsig-meet-2026)
Connect with our Pediatric Special Interest Group (PEDSIG) directors and network with fellow PTs, PTAs, and SPTs interested in pediatric pelvic health! Learn about the PEDSIG's latest projects, and share your ideas for upcoming webinars and resources focused on pediatric pelvic health. Be sure to register in advance for this exciting event!
Thursday, February 12, 2026
- 2pm-3:30pm: Think Outside the Pelvis: Top Down and Bottoms up!
PH-23536 (https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2026/meetingapp.cgi/Session/23536)
The Pelvic Core Neuromuscular System (PCNS) is a complex biomechanical chain reaction that is influenced by structures and movements outside of the pelvis. Integrating biomechanically efficient movement, breathing and the pelvis is a core tenant of pediatric pelvic health PT. In this interactive session, the focus will be on integrating pelvic health and breathing with functional patterns of movement across the lifespan.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
- 2pm-3:30pm: What’s New in the 2026 Developmental Coordination Disorder Clinical Practice Guideline?
PD-23735 (https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2026/meetingapp.cgi/Session/23735)
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) remains one of the most under-diagnosed and under-resourced neurodevelopmental conditions worldwide. In addition, we know that many of our kiddos with DCD have bowel and bladder issues. This session will present what’s new in the upcoming Physical Therapy Management of Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder Clinical Practice Guideline from APTA Pediatrics (2026 DCD CPG). By the end of this session, attendees will generate a strong understanding of evidence-based management of children with DCD that will immediately impact their clinical practice and improve their clinical outcomes.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
- 2pm-3:30pm: Building New Pathways for the Treatment of Pediatric Somatic Symptom Disorders
PD-24506 (https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2026/meetingapp.cgi/Session/24506)
Somatic symptom disorders (SSDs) such as Functional Neurologic Disorder (FND) and Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) are increasing in the pediatric population, yet patients with these symptoms continue to experience delayed diagnosis resulting in increased healthcare costs and delayed onset of treatment. Pelvic pain, constipation and incontinence can be seen in children and adolescents with these conditions. This session provides an opportunity to share your experience with pelvic health conditions and to learn from others working with this population.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
- 7pm-10pm | Morton's The Steakhouse: Academy of Pelvic Health Elevate and Celebrate Social
🎟️ RSVP (https://www.aptapelvichealth.org/events/celebrate2026)
It only happens once a year! Be part of Celebrate & Elevate, the Academy’s must-attend CSM social gathering for members, leaders, and friends. Please register in advance.
Friday, February 13, 2026
- 2pm-3:30pm: Stronger Together: Collaborative Strategies for Managing Hypertonia and Enhancing Participation in Children
PD-24078 (https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2026/meetingapp.cgi/Session/24078)
Children with cerebral palsy and similar conditions often experience lower extremity hypertonia that progresses to contractures, bony deformities, and participation restrictions. Children with hypertonia of the lower extremities may also experience hypertonia in the pelvic region impacting bowel and bladder function. Attendees will learn about interventions from both a medical and rehabilitative perspective. Particular focus will be placed on evidence-based strategies that may minimize the need for interventions such as serial casting, neurotoxins, and surgery. Application of these strategies to the pelvic region can help therapists to provide evidence-based care to improve bowel and bladder function.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
- 8am-9:30am: Bowel and Bladder Issues in the Neurologically Involved Child
PD-24010 (https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2026/meetingapp.cgi/Session/24010)
For children with neurologic concerns, bowel and bladder concerns may be some of the last things addressed in both their medical and therapy plan of care. However, as children age, bowel and bladder concerns can take center stage from a quality-of-life standpoint for both the child and caregiver. This session will explore the common bowel and bladder issues experienced by children with neurologic issues such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, and Down syndrome. After this presentation participants will come away with the ability to assess general bowel and bladder issues, determine the need for pelvic floor physical therapy interventions, and give general recommendations to parents to improve toilet training, constipation and incontinence in their patient population. If you are new to pediatric pelvic health, this is a great session to jump-start your new practice.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
- 10:30am-12pm: Bendy but Not Broken: Supporting Pelvic and Sexual Health in Patients with Hypermobility
PH-23887 (https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2026/meetingapp.cgi/Session/23887)
This session, presented by a physician expert in hypermobility and a pelvic floor physical therapist, will focus on helping clinicians better understand hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), commonly linked comorbidities including Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and their relationship to pelvic and sexual health. Research indicates that patients with IhEDS, HSD, MCAS, and POTS experience higher prevalence of pelvic floor symptoms compared to the general population. And these symptoms may start at a young age. As a pediatric pelvic health PT, you may be uniquely qualified to address these issues at an early age to minimize bowel and bladder concerns later in life.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
- 2pm-3:30pm: The Value of Ultrasound Imaging in Pediatric Pelvic Health. Is It Worth It?
PH-24019 (https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2026/meetingapp.cgi/Session/24019)
Ultrasound is an increasingly valuable tool in pelvic health physical therapy, offering non-invasive visualization of deep musculature for assessment, biofeedback, and patient education. This intermediate-level session will introduce physical therapists to the clinical applications of ultrasound in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction, including bowel and bladder disorders such as enuresis, encopresis, and functional constipation.
Author: Andrea Branas PT, DPT, CLT
Author Bio: Andrea Branas is one of four directors of the new Pediatric Pelvic Health SIG. Andrea has been working in the pelvic health space for over 25 years, in both adults and pediatrics. With the development of the pediatric SIG, Andrea envisions opportunities for connection, collaboration and learning that will benefit our littlest patients.
