PP14       Title: Activity-Based Therapies: Going Above and Beyond Date: Thursday, June 19, 2008 Time: 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM Type: POSTER Level: ADVANCED Track: - Sponsor(s): - Speaker(s): Candace Rae Tefertiller In recent years the search for the “cure” and “lifetime recovery” has grown significantly for clients with neurological injury and disease, such as spinal cord injury, brain injury, and multiple sclerosis. Current research suggests the potential for more plasticity in the central nervous system than was previously accepted in the medical community, and new developments in rehabilitation technology and innovative medical procedures make it possible to facilitate this plasticity.  Quite often, the acute rehabilitation process focuses on regaining a level of independence through compensatory techniques, in an effort to quickly return individuals with neurological deficits to “functional” and productive lives. Shortened rehabilitation stays and the lack of focused neuromuscular training can affect the client’s potential for full recovery, and limit functionality, independence and health. These clients often complete rehabilitation feeling as though they were not provided with an adequate opportunity to explore their full potential for healing and recovery.  To answer their demands and expectations, innovative, intense, post-acute treatment programs are being established all over the world to push neurological recovery beyond the scope of traditional expectations. However, unless identifiable functional goals can be documented, third party payers will generally not reimburse for these services. Therefore, many clients have to pay “out of pocket” for these programs until they can demonstrate that their recovery process has elevated them to their next set of functional milestones, or has improved their health and decreased potential secondary complications. This fact often limits participation in these programs to clients who have the financial means to afford them, and not necessarily to the vast number of clients who may benefit from these programs.  This presentation will provide case managers with evidence suggesting that participation in a specialized activity based program can result in neural or functional improvements, as well as health benefits, in individuals with neurological dysfunction due to traumatic injury or disease. It is imperative that case managers be knowledgeable about these types of programs and the benefits that can be provided to their neurologically impaired clients in order to take the rehabilitation process above and beyond. (Abstract/Presention Co-Author: Deborah Backus) Objectives: Define Activity Dependent Neural Plasticity.   Describe the components of a current Activity Based Therapy Program.   Analyze three case studies.