Paediatrics 2026

This in-depth course will enable you to expand your practice to treat the whole family.  It will fully equip you to treat babies, children and teenagers for a wide range of physical, mental and emotional conditions. 

 

KEY THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 15 days over a period of 7 months
• 9 days on zoom (always Wednesday), 9.30am-3pm
• 6 days in college (2 lots of 3 consecutive days – Wed / Thurs / Fri), 9.30am – 5pm
• No exams!
• 90% attendance required to gain a Diploma of Paediatric Acupuncture

 

 

 

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WHAT SETS THIS PAEDIATRIC COURSE APART FROM OTHER COURSES?

• It has an extensive practical component – 6 days learning and practising a wide range of treatment modalities, ensuring you have a way of treating every child that comes to your clinic!
• The theory taught via Zoom is all live teaching (no pre-recorded sessions). We create a classroom atmosphere, with ample opportunity for questions and discussion, without the need for travel.
• However, all the Zoom classes are recorded so you will have the opportunity to re-listen to them after if you would like to.
• The class size is kept small – a maximum of 20 people, meaning you will get the time and attention that you require.
• The lead teacher is Rebecca Avern who has more clinical experience treating children than anybody else in the world we are aware of!
• The course is taught by 4 different teachers, so you will gain a variety of perspectives.
• You will have a day with a Western paediatric consultant, so you feel confident to recognise red flags in your clinic and communicate with doctors.
• Discussion and questions between lectures via the forum on our Virtual Learning platform.
• The course is comprehensive – you will leave equipped to treat children of all ages for a wide variety of conditions.

 

You will be part of a small class - maximum 20 places available on this course. An emphasis is placed on making the classes not only fascinating and informative, but also enjoyable, collaborative and supportive.

 

All course materials and recordings of the live zoom lectures will be accessible on an online learning platform, which will also host a group forum where participants are encouraged to share ideas and ask questions.

 

This is a modular course. On completion of both modules, you will be awarded a Diploma in Paediatric Acupuncture. 90% live attendance over both modules is required:

 

• Module 1: Paediatric Theory
• Module 2: Paediatric Practical

 

Module 1 – Chinese medicine paediatric theory

9 days which will be taught as live lessons via zoom.

Zoom days will be from 9.30am to 3pm.

 

These days will cover:

• TCM and 5 Element paediatric basics
• Key paediatric pathologies
• Aetiology of childhood illnesses
• Diagnosis and treatment of most commonly seen paediatric conditions
• Western medical paediatric conditions and red flags

 

 

Module 2 – Chinese Medicine Paediatric Practical skills

6 days, all taught at the college

 

These days will cover:

• Paediatric tui na
• A basic Shonishin treatment
• Laser acupuncture
• Moxa, cupping and gua sha for children
• Child-friendly needle technique
• Essential oil acu-therapy
• Tuning forks
• Cutaneous electrical stimulation
• Patients in class

 

Course Dates

 

Day 1 - Zoom - 16th September 2026

 

Day 2 - Zoom - 30th September 2026

 

Day 3 - Zoom - 7th October 2026

 

Day 4 - Zoom - 21st or 28th October 2026 (depending on half term)

 

Days 5/6/7 - at CICM - 18th, 19th & 20th November 2026

 

Day 8 - Zoom - 9th December 2026

 

Day 9 - Zoom - 13th January 2027

 

Day 10 - Zoom - 27th January 2027

 

Day 11 - Zoom - 10th February 2027

 

Day 12 - Zoom - 24th February 2027

 

Days 13/14/15 - at CICM - 10th, 11th & 12th March 2027

 

Assessment

There are no written exams. Assessment will take place as the course progresses, in the following way:

• Short answer questions, done online, between each theory day to check your understanding of the previous day
• Keeping an ongoing portfolio based on what you see, read and listen to in your daily life that is related to children
• Assessment of practical skills will take place during the 6 practical days.

 

You will also be asked to carry out pre-reading before each theory day.

 

Entry Requirements

A recognised qualification in acupuncture.  Pre-reading will be suggested for those who have not studied either five element or TCM as both are covered on the course. 

Cost & How to apply

The course is £2800.

Payments can be made in instalments by monthly direct debit.

£100 non-refundable application fee secures a place on the course and is offset against the fees. 

Download an application here and email to Jo Brown, Registrar. To pay the £100 application fee please click here.

Teachers

Rebecca Avern (course director and principal teacher)

Rebecca is one of the world’s leading authorities on paediatric acupuncture.  She teaches paediatrics both at undergraduate and post-graduate level, in the UK, online and internationally.  Her clinical work is solely with children, both in her private paediatric practice and a low cost community clinic for children, the first of its kind.  She is the author of the textbook Acupuncture for Babies, Children and Teenagers, which is now used in colleges all over the world.   She has also written a book for parents and practitioners called Chinese Medicine for Childhood Anxiety and Depression.  Rebecca is known for her clear and warm teaching, which is based upon her experience of working with hundreds of children and their families.

Danny Blyth (teacher)

Danny practices acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine on adults and children in Cheltenham.  Graduating from CICM in 1998, he has post-graduate diplomas in Chinese language (Mandarin), Chinese herbal medicine, academic practice (PGCAP), and a certificate in paediatric acupuncture from Julian Scott.  He has undertaken further studies at Guangdong second provincial Chinese medicine hospital, and clinical training with Ken Lloyd over a seven year period.  He has taught acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition at graduate and post-graduate level since 2001, and taichi and qigong since 1995.  

Lynn Diskin (Conventional medicine teacher)

Lynn is a mother of two, has worked in paediatrics for nearly 20 years and has been a consultant paediatrician in Bath since 2013.  She manages children with a range of general paediatric problems in both acute and outpatient settings and specialises in managing young people with diabetes and renal problems.  She is a firm believer in acupuncture and has seen its benefits on her own children.

Julian Scott (guest teacher)

Julian has been treating children for 40 years.  He first qualified at ICOM and then studied further in China.  He is the author of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Children, which transformed the perception and practice of paediatric acupuncture in the West.  He has co-founded children’s clinics in England, Israel and the USA.  He lectures on paediatrics as well as other topics internationally.