Assistive Technology in the First Three years: Expanding Participation and Development in Infants and Toddlers with Cerebral Palsy
Speaker: Lauren Tooley
Identify AT interventions appropriate for infants and toddlers with CP across developmental domains.
Describe the role of assistive technology (AT) in supporting motor, cognitive, communication, and social development during the first three years of life.
Recognize clinical indicators for early referral to AT services and interdisciplinary assessment
Recognize barriers and facilitators to successful AT adoption by families.
Behavior Matters: Supporting Young Children with CP in Everyday Settings
Speakers: Dr. Aerial Sheltry, Dr. Emma Cole
List 3 Common emotional or behavioral concerns in young children with CP.
Identify one antecedent and consequence for a problem behavior in a young child with CP
Describe 2 interventions to address a common behavioral, anxiety, or coping difficulty in a young child with CP
Understand the behavioral support process in a school system
Bench to Bedside - Discoveries that Impact Care
Speakers: Dr. Sujatha Kannan, Dr. Lauren Jantzie, Dr. Joseph Scafidi
Critically evaluate interventions that target brain energy metabolism, neuroinflammation and neurorepair
Describe at least 3 cellular or intracellular processes that are being targeted as novel therapies for cerebral palsy
Define translational hurdles to the approval of new therapies and key variables to overcoming these challenges
Beyond Awareness: Building Meaningful Allyship for People with Cerebral Palsy
Speakers: Rachel Byrne, Sarah Philbin
Define allyship and explain its importance in improving experiences and outcomes for people with cerebral palsy across healthcare, research, education, employment, and community settings.
Recognize barriers, biases, and systemic challenges that people with cerebral palsy and their families encounter throughout the lifespan.
Apply practical strategies to foster authentic partnerships with people with cerebral palsy and families, including shared decision-making and co-design approaches.
Identify actions they can take within their own professional roles to advance inclusion, equity, and disability justice.
Beyond the NICU: Trauma-Informed Support for Caregivers Following Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
Speakers: Erica Carroll, Sarah Miller
Identify common presentations of perinatal mental health disorders among caregivers following NICU hospitalization and/or cerebral palsy diagnosis.
Describe the impact of NICU hospitalization and cerebral palsy diagnosis on caregiver functioning, parent-child dyad, and the family system.
Apply trauma-informed interdisciplinary strategies to support families within medical and early intervention settings.
Beyond Training: Building Communities of Practice for Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy
Speakers: Valerie Pieraccini, Dr. Gavin Colquitt
Define the core elements of a community of practice and explain how they apply to early detection of cerebral palsy.
Identify key building blocks of an effective early CP detection community of practice, including shared referral pathways, standardized assessment tools, interdisciplinary case review, family-centered communication, and feedback loops.
Describe practical strategies for sustaining early CP detection after formal training, including peer learning, mentorship, local champions, case-based discussion, and practice-to-practice learning cycles.
Apply lessons learned from real-world implementation efforts to begin developing or strengthening a local community of practice for early CP detection.
Building Safe Feeding Pathways in High-Risk Infants: Collaboration Between Medicine, SLP, and Nutrition
Speakers: Dr. Gamze Ozsoy, Dr. Dorie Obertello, Dr. Jennifer Del Re
Identify common feeding and swallowing challenges in infants and young children at high risk for cerebral palsy.
Describe the roles of pediatric medicine, speech-language pathology, and nutrition in interdisciplinary feeding management.
Apply practical strategies for safe feeding advancement, growth optimization, and caregiver education in complex feeding cases.
Develop actionable approaches for coordinating care across the inpatient, outpatient, and community-based feeding care continuum.
Care Maps, Road Maps, and Family Empowerment in Early Cerebral Palsy
Speakers: Dr. Nathalie Maitre, Allison McIntyre, Carol Shrader
Describe the role of care maps and road maps as complementary, family-centered tools that support communication, care coordination, and developmental planning for young children with cerebral palsy.
Recognize how providers can use care maps and road maps to strengthen family empowerment, build caregiver confidence and self-efficacy, and support families to navigate healthcare, educational, and community systems.
Identify strategies for integrating care navigation into clinical practice, including partnering with families to develop and maintain care maps and road maps that reflect family priorities, developmental needs, and anticipated transitions.
Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy
Speakers: Dr. Siddarth Gupta, Dr. Archana Nelliot
Define seizures and epilepsy, distinguish between seizure types and describe the role of EEG in epilepsy diagnosis
Recognize epilepsy syndromes seen in patients with CP
Identify risk factors for developing epilepsy in patients with CP, the impact on their quality of life
Discuss management strategies for epilepsy in patients with CP
Connecting the Dots in CVI: From Identification to Intervention
Speakers: Dr. Karen Harpster, Dr. Rebecca Hommer
Identify common signs of CVI and screening tools used to support identification.
Describe assessments and clinical strategies for working evaluating children with or suspected of having CVI.
Gain an understanding of how children with CVI access visual information and how intervention can support visual functioning.
Summarize CVI resources that support the clinician’s understanding of CVI.
Early Acquired Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy
Speakers: Dr. Stacey Suskauer, Dr. Beth Slomine
Understand etiologies of early acquired brain injury (ABI) the may result in CP
Describe the range of motor and cognitive outcomes after early ABI
Identify key features of rehabilitation care after AB
Early Detection in Rural Settings- Partners, Adaptations and Trainee Pathways
Speakers: Dr. Nathalie Maitre, Dr. Gavin Colquitt
Describe why rural settings require specific consideration in cerebral palsy surveillance and early detection efforts.
Identify key barriers faced by rural families and providers, including limited specialty access, transportation burden, fragmented referral systems, and workforce shortages.
Discuss practical adaptations to the CP early detection pathway, including community partnerships, standardized tools, regional access models, tele-mentorship, and family navigation
Explain how trainee pathways and workforce development strategies can support sustainable early CP detection and intervention in rural and underserved communities.
Early Diagnosis, Intensive Therapy: An Interdisciplinary Model of Care for Infants with Cerebral Palsy
Speakers: Teressa Reidy, Dr. Katlyn Billups, Dr. Elizabeth Wohlberg
Attendees will be able to describe at least 3 components of an intensive interdisciplinary therapy model and factors that result in referrals for infants diagnosed with cerebral palsy
Attendees will be able to identify 2-3 outcome measures used to track infants functional performance
Attendees will be able to apply a clinical decision- making tree to determine candidacy for intensive therapy bouts for infants with cerebral palsy
Attendees will articulate available evidence for early diagnosis of cerebral palsy and early intensive models
Early Mobility Matters: Adapting Equipment for Infants and Toddlers with Motor Challenges
Speaker: Dr. Ginny Paleg
Identify the developmental, cognitive, and participation benefits of on‑time mobility for infants and toddlers, and explain why early access to supported stepping and power mobility is clinically justified.
Analyze key features of supported stepping devices and early power mobility options, and determine how to adapt them to meet the postural, sensory, and motor needs of children under age three.
Apply evidence‑based decision‑making to select, modify, and implement mobility equipment in real‑world early intervention contexts, including coaching families and collaborating across disciplines.
Early Signs and Overlap in Autism and Cerebral Palsy: Screening, Clinical Application, and Family Referral Conversations
Speakers: Dr. Bethany Schwandt, Dr. Kelly Shepard
Attendees will identify early motor markers that may overlap among children later diagnosed with autism and/or CP.
Attendees will consider how to apply autism screening and assessment tools in their practice.
Attendees will identify practical application strategies within their clinic.
Attendees will be exposed to parent friendly language around how to have conversations about the autism referral process.
Emerging Tools for Assessing Movement in Cerebral Palsy
Speakers: Dr. Laura Malone, Dr. Nayo Hill
Motivate the need for precise and longitudinal assessment tools for cerebral palsy
Describe the development of a novel motor assessment for children with hemiplegia
Discuss the use of gamification for assessment of movement in cerebral palsy
Evidence of Upper Extremity Intervention Protocols in Early Cerebral Palsy
Speaker: Allison McIntyre, Dr. Kanishka Baduni
Review evidence from recent systematic reviews on upper extremity interventions for children ages 0–3 at high risk for or diagnosed with cerebral palsy
Discuss recent trials and emerging research and their clinical implications
Compare evidence levels, feasibility, and target populations across upper extremity interventions
Apply a clinical decision-making framework to select intervention protocols for specific patient presentations
From Neonatal Brain Injury to Cerebral Palsy: Emerging Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Neurorecovery
Speakers: Dr. Shenandoah Robinson, Dr. Frances Northington, Dr. Nazli Kuter
To enumerate mechanisms of ongoing injury that persist for months to years after early life brain injury. They will also be able to suggest how ongoing injury contributes to brain network dysfunctions that manifest in CP.
To define the biomarkers being investigated for early diagnosis of cerebral palsy and prediction of long-term outcomes.
To delineate how emerging biologic, gene and cell-based interventions may contribute to the care of individuals with CP.
Hip Surveillance in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Proactive Approach
Speakers: Dr. Heather Riordan, Dr. Ranjit Varghese
Describe the natural history of developmental hip dysplasia in children with CP.
Discuss exam signs concerning for hip subluxation.
Identify resources to help clinicians navigate hip surveillance in clinic.
Summarize the evidence supporting non-invasive and surgical intervention for hip dysplasia.
Review surgical options for the management of hip dysplasia.
Interdisciplinary Early Cerebral Palsy Care for High-Risk Cases
Speakers: Dr. Andrea Duncan, Dr. Deanna Johnson, Michele Hilberg, Brendan Russell, Dr. Ajoke Ajayi Akintade
Describe why interdisciplinary collaboration is specifically relevant to diagnosing and caring for young children with CP.
Demonstrate synergy between neurologists, physiatrists, neonatologists, nurse practitioners, occupational and physical therapists, pediatricians, and other health care professionals in approaching complex early CP cases.
Differentiate between the multiple pathways a patient may present to an early detection clinic and how an interdisciplinary approach plays a role in these pathways.
Mini-SCALE Training: Assessment of Selective Motor Control and Clinical Application in Early CP Care
Speakers: Dr. Barbara Sargent, Dr. Loretta Staudt
Characterize the development of lower extremity selective motor control (SMC) in infants with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and its influence on future functional performance and participation.
Describe the administration and scoring of Mini-SCALE, the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity for Infants and Toddlers.
Use Mini-SCALE to accurately evaluate lower extremity SMC from videos of infants and toddlers with typical development, CP, and high risk for CP.
Describe innovative, play-based interventions to actively promote SMC in infants and toddlers with CP.
Motor Learning Concepts and Application to Early Intervention
Speakers: Dr. Laura Prosser, Dr. Ryan Roemmeich
Familiarize the audience with different motor learning mechanisms
Identify motor learning principles (with associated tools and techniques) that could be applied in clinical practice
Discuss strategies for informing clinical decision-making when implementation of these principles can lead to competing priorities.
Motor Therapy: Understanding the World of Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Speakers: Valerie Pieraccini, Dr. Ginny Paleg, Jennifer Lyman
Advance your knowledge of alternative and complementary motor therapy interventions.
Learn how to evaluate the evidence, efficacy, and safety of these interventions.
Gain insight on shared decision-making with families who are considering alternative and complementary therapy interventions
Grasp the impact of therapeutic approaches on children and families through real-life stories.
Neurodevelopmental and Motor Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease
Speaker: Dr. April Sharp, Dr. Jacqueline Sanz, Dr. Sarah Winter
Participants will be able to describe mechanisms of altered brain development and brain injury in young children with congenital heart disease and identify modalities for neonatal neuromonitoring.
Attendees will reflect on their own experience and the speaker’s experience of motor impairment and standardized motor assessments in children with complex congenital heart disease.
Participants will explore the broad neurodevelopmental profile of children with congenital heart disease and the impacts of impaired motor functions.
Neurodevelopmental Assessment in High-Risk Neonatal Follow-up: Which Measures to Use and When
Speakers: Dr. Gwendolyn Gerner, Dr. Rachel Gilbert
Review and describe existing standardized and published neurodevelopmental measures.
Review the strengths and weaknesses of these measures.
Discuss considerations for use of these measures with individuals at high-risk for or diagnosed with CP and/or sensory impairments.
Neurodevelopmental Assessments in the NICU
Speakers: Dr. Joanna Burton, Julie Patterson, Kerry Vela
Explain the importance of neurodevelopment assessments, including its role in early developmental intervention, parental support, guiding medical decision-making, predicting long-term outcomes, and identifying at-risk infants for timely referral and care planning.
Describe commonly used neonatal assessment tools, highlighting their purposes, required training for use, and the current evidence supporting their reliability and validity in clinical practice.
Present and discuss a clinical case study to illustrate practical application of neonatal assessment tools, multidisciplinary collaboration, and implications for infant care and family outcomes.
Neurosensory Interventions for High-risk Infants Hospitalized in the NICU
Speakers: Dr. Carmina Erdei, Jamie Shegogue
Learn or refresh learning about the science of habilitation for hospitalized infants at high neurodevelopmental risk
Identify and discuss neurodevelopmental assessments that can be utilized in the NICU to help guide risk stratification and intervention
Learn to develop a parent-led neurosensory support plan, including utilizing a therapist as a coach, monitor adherence and infant /parent progress
Practice applying assessments and interventions to various clinical scenarios and implementation of protocols into practice
Optimizing Early CP-Specific Motor Intervention: Dosage Considerations
Speakers: Dr. Stacey Dusing, Dr. Barbara Sargent
Describe the components of a comprehensive dosage plan (i.e., frequency, intensity, time/session, total duration, type of intervention, caregiver involvement).
Summarize key evidence on dosage levels for CP-specific early motor interventions (e.g., BIM, CIMT, GAME, locomotor training, SPEEDI, START-Play).
Formulate an evidence-informed, comprehensive dosage plan for infants and toddlers with CP, recognizing current gaps and safety considerations.
Prediction of Outcomes into Adulthood After an Early Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis: Can we do it?
Speakers: Dr. Nathalie Maitre, Jennifer Lyman
Describe how early clinical tools such as MRI, General Movements Assessment, HINE, and functional measures can support prognostic decision-making after early diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
Interpret how prognosis may change over time by considering evolving motor, cognitive, behavioral, orthopedic, and participation outcomes across infancy, childhood, and young adulthood.
Apply family-centered principles to prognostic counseling by communicating likely outcomes, acknowledging uncertainty, and discussing how intervention and developmental plasticity may influence trajectory.
Reading Between the Lines: Identifying Risk for Developmental Delays and Cerebral Palsy in a NICU Discharge Summary
Speakers: Dr. Brittany Schwarz, Dr. Faith Kim
Identify key clinical findings associated with increased risk for developmental delays
Interpret clinical findings to stratify infants at risk for cerebral palsy
Develop a practical approach to using a NICU discharge summary to guide early developmental surveillance and early detection for Cerebral Palsy in high-risk neonates
Research Worth Understanding and Implementing in Early Childhood CP: Key Papers and Hot Topic
Speakers: Dr. Caitlin Kjeldsen, Dr. Theresa Sukal-Moulton
Have an increased curiosity about research topics in early cerebral palsy
Utilize a framework for reading and critically appraising a peer-reviewed research article.
Summarize key points of recent peer-reviewed research articles
Consider the perspective of different engaged parties that are impacted by the findings (families, clinicians, and researchers)
Should We Fix It? Complex Care for Cerebral Palsy
Speakers: Dr. Mark Gormley, Dr. Alison Miles
Gain insight to best practices for providing comprehensive, coordinated care for children with complex cerebral palsy.
Learn to support function, health, participation, and quality of life.
Address the unique needs of children and their families with hopeful but realistic conversations.
Starting Early! Implementing Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy and Bi- Manual Therapy
Speakers: Dr. Kanishka Baduni, Valerie Pieraccini, Nicole Andrejow, Haley Holt
Learn about recent scientific evidence in early constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and bimanual therapy (BT)
Name and describe the components of early CIMT and BT protocols to address asymmetrical upper extremity function.
Gain new treatment activities to facilitate bilateral coordination in infants.
Identify activities to be used by families in the child’s natural environment.
The Biomechanical Development of Early Movement: Understanding the Differentiation of Movement and Its Clinical Implications
Speakers: Dr. Colleen Peyton
Describe the biomechanical progression of early motor development as movement becomes increasingly differentiated throughout infancy.
Identify key biomechanical features of infant movement that reflect underlying nervous system development and may indicate probable cerebral palsy.
Apply a developmental biomechanics framework to interpret infant movement using video-based case studies and relate observed movement patterns to later functional development.
Discuss how quantitative assessment of developmental biomechanics can support earlier diagnosis, prognosis, and individualized intervention planning for infants with probable cerebral palsy.
The Ripple Effect: Lifespan Perspectives and Transitional Care
Speakers: Dr. Heather Riordan, Sarah Philbin
Discuss cerebral palsy as a lifelong disability
Consider how early care impacts future transitions
Reframe the transition to adulthood as a percent-centered process
Characterize how differing models of disability impact self-conceptualization and approaches to transitional care
The Role of Genetics in Supporting Early, Accurate Cerebral Palsy Diagnoses
Speakers: Alexis Heidlebaugh, Dr. Eric Chin
Review current knowledge on the multifactorial nature of cerebral palsy pathogenesis.
Discuss the role of genetic testing within established early detection frameworks.
Review the capabilities, limitations, and current clinical availability of genetic testing.
Discuss strategies for effectively communicating information and uncertainty from genetic results.
Understanding the World of Alternative and Complementary Medical Interventions
Speakers: Jennifer Lyman, Dr. Joanna Burton
Demonstrate simple tools for parents to evaluate safety, efficacy and “worth-it” of treatments for CP on the internet or in the media and provide resources to fact-check therapies.
Review the safety and efficacy for alternative treatments commonly proposed to help with aspects of cerebral palsy.
Provide key questions to ask when hearing about alternative treatments from parent communities
Weight-Assisted Motor Learning – In The Home and The Gym
Speakers: Dr. Laura Prosser, Dr. Barbara Sargent
Describe the unique potential of dynamic weight support to be a tool for facilitating motor learning opportunities in young children with neuromotor impairment
Demonstrate examples of increasing motor learning opportunities when using dynamic weight support
Discuss the selection of optimal levels of weight support
Describe innovative, play-based interventions using dynamic weight support for infants and toddlers with cerebral palsy
It is the policy of CPF that no recordings are permitted in the workshop sessions. Audio or video recording is strictly prohibited
