Untangling Tone: Managing Spasticity in CP

Practical, evidence-informed guidance to support confident assessment, intervention, and goal-focused care in pediatric rehabilitation.

Designed for pediatric therapists seeking clarity, confidence, and practical application in tone and spasticity management.

Why Understanding Tone Is So Complex

Tone, spasticity, and movement control are among the most challenging and misunderstood areas of pediatric rehabilitation.  Clinicians are often required to interpret complex physiology, evaluate changing presentation over time, and make meaningful decisions about intervention—yet clear, clinically relevant guidance is difficult to find.

Families depend on therapists to explain options, guide expectations, and connect treatment decisions to real-world function.  Without a strong framework, tone management can feel uncertain, inconsistent, and disconnected from meaningful outcomes.

This course was created to bring clarity, evidence, and clinical reasoning together in one practical learning experience.

What you will learn to:

• The differences between spasticity, dystonia, and rigidity — and why they matter

• How to assess tone using tools like the MTS and MAS (and what those scores actually mean)

• The safety and effectiveness of BoNT-A — and how to prepare and follow up as a physiotherapist

• What to know about ITB and SDR — including selection, rehab roles, and parent education

• Non-medical options: casting, strengthening, orthoses, functional training

• How to communicate clearly with families, schools, and your team

• Evidence-based tools, checklists, and talking points you can download and use right away