Q: Some states require PTAs to take continuing education courses in order to maintain licensure. These requirements vary from state to state, and may not be required in jurisdictions outside the US. Contact your state/local board to learn about the licensing requirements in your region. PTAs can find a list of continuing education courses offered by the American Physical Therapy Association by visiting http://learningcenter.apta.org/Student/Catalogue/Catalogue.aspx. PTAs work in a dynamic field, and the particulars of a PTAs work requirements will vary depending on the PTA's chosen work setting. Some common requirements of PTAs include:  working with physical therapists (PTs) and following a PT's orders  assisting patients with exercises and stretches  lifting or carrying patients as needed  massaging and/or bathing patients  applying heat/ice packs to patients  monitoring and recording a patient's progress  reporting all findings and results of patient care to the supervising physical therapist PTAs typically work in a clinical setting, but there are a number of work settings within hospitals, schools, and private PT offices.  Acute Care - PTAs work with short-term patients in a hospital setting. PTAs only work with the patient until he or she is capable of being discharged from the hospital.  Rehabilitation Hospital - PTAs work with patients for intense therapy lasting three or more hours each day with the goal of helping patients become able to administer self care at home.  Sub-Acute Rehabilitation - PTAs work with patients at a special hospital facility with similar goals to those of a rehabilitation hospital, but with less-intense sessions.  Extended Care/Nursing Facility - PTAs work primarily with elderly patients in a facility designed for long-term care.  Outpatient/Private Practice Clinic - patients visit a clinic or facility to work with PTAs, primarily focusing on orthopedic and neuromuscular problems.  School - PTAs work with students in an educational environment.  Wellness/Prevention/Sports/Fitness - PTAs work with patients with an overall focus on physical wellbeing and injury prevention.  Home Care - PTAs visit patients at the patient's home, residential facility, or even hospital room. Home care PTAs primarily work with patients who are senior citizens and/or patients who have significant disabilities.  Hospice - PTAs work with patients who suffer from incurable ailments, with a focus on managing pain and increasing functional abilities for as long as possible.  Occupational Environments - PTAs work to help improve safety and productivity in a work setting and help patients regain the strength to return to work.  Government Settings - PTAs work with both civilians and military personnel at local, state, and federal agencies, including the Veteran's Health Administration and the Indian Health Service.  Research Centers - PTAs may work with physical therapists and other medical professionals on research to increase knowledge of physical therapy and find ways to improve patient care outcomes in all settings.
A: Learn about continuing education requirements. Know the duties of a PTA. Choose a work setting.

Q: Understanding what how ADHD works in your body can inform you on how to live your life or choose activities. Knowing the science behind the disorder can help someone rationalize and explain their behavior.  Scientific analyses show the brains of persons with ADHD are slightly different in that two structures tend to be smaller.  The first, the basal ganglia, regulates the movement of muscles and signals which should be working and which should be at rest during given activities.  If a child is sitting at his desk in the classroom, for example, the basal ganglia should send a message telling the feet to rest. But the feet don't get the message, thus remaining in motion when the child is seated.  The second brain structure that is smaller than normal in a person with ADHD is the prefrontal cortex,  which is the brain's hub for conducting higher-order executive tasks. This is where memory and learning and attention regulation  come together to help us function intellectually. A smaller-than-normal prefrontal cortex with lower-than-optimal dopamine and serotonin means greater struggles to focus and effectively tune out all the extraneous stimuli flooding the brain all at once.   The prefrontal cortex influences the level of the neurotransmitter dopamine.  Dopamine is tied directly to the ability to focus  and tends to be at lower levels in persons with ADHD.  Serotonin, another neurotransmitter found in the prefrontal cortex,  impacts mood, sleep, and appetite. Eating chocolate, for instance, spikes serotonin causing a temporary feeling of well-being; when serotonin drops low, however, depression and anxiety result. The jury's still out on the causes of ADHD but it's well accepted that genetics play a large role, with certain DNA anomalies occurring more often in people with ADHD. In addition, studies show correlations between children with ADHD to prenatal alcohol and smoking as well as to early childhood exposure to lead. Neurology and behavioral science are discovering new facts about the brain every year. Consider investing in a consistent journal or magazine that reports on brain development, teens with mental differences, or brain research. Try to invest in peer-reviewed articles.   If you cannot afford a peer-reviewed journal, try other public or free sources of information. Other magazines include National Geographic, your government website, and nih.gov. Most news portals now also have a "Health and Fitness" section that might report on brain research. If you are truly at a loss of where to find current information, ask your local librarian, high school teacher, or college professor. Alternatively, if you have access to a smartphone, try to find a telemedicine app, ADHD information app, or medical textbook app.
A: Learn about the brain structures of individuals with ADHD. Learn how dopamine and serotonin affect individuals with ADHD. Learn about possible causes of ADHD. Keep up with current research.

Q: To begin, stand up straight with your arms extended by your ears. Then, sit back, like you're going to lean back in a chair. As you do this, swing your arms down and back behind you. Your knees should be directly over your feet, not positioned in front of your feet, or you won't generate enough momentum to land on your hands. Swing your arms forward until they reach over your head. Follow your hands with your eyes. At the same time, push through your toes to gain momentum and launch your body backward. Keep your legs together and your core muscles tight. Arching your back too much is called undercutting and will not only make your back handspring look less pretty, but it could also injure your back. As you fall, let your legs continue to drive you upward and backward. Point your toes and extend through your ankles. Make sure you keep your head back between your arms as they approach the floor. Reach for the floor as you fall backwards and make sure to keep your body arched. Keep your arms straight so you don't hit your head on the floor. Your fingers should be pointing up and away from your face with your palms flat on the ground. Let the momentum of your legs, with your lower body still following, carry you over. When your hands are planted on the floor, use the pads of your hands and fingers, your arms, and your shoulders for support. Don't put all of your weight and pressure on your hands. Snap your legs over your head and around to the floor, with  your feet together and your toes pointed. Don't lock your knees, but keep your legs almost straight. Keep your shoulders in line with your hands. Continue by swinging your legs and feet over and snapping them down firmly toward the floor. Keep your upper body straight as your toes approach the floor. To finish the back handspring, land with your legs slightly bent and pop up to release your momentum. Bring your arms straight in front of you and then raise them up over your head. Don't be discouraged if you don't get it right immediately. Work with a spotter until you feel comfortable enough to do it on your own. With enough hard work, you'll have a neat and smoothly-executed back handspring in no time.
A:
Bend your hips forward and swing your arms down. Push through your toes and lift your arms up. Continue to fall backwards without arching your back too much. Plant your hands on the floor. Swing your legs over your head. Plant your feet on the floor. Pop up.