Workshop Descriptions

  • Adapting Mobility Equipment for Children under 3

    Speaker: Dr. Ginny Paleg

    • Explore how therapists can support on‑time mobility for children under three through evidence‑based adaptation of supported stepping devices and early power mobility.

  • Allyship for People with Cerebral Palsy         

    Speakers: Ashley Whaley, Rachel Byrne

    • Learn practical allyship skills and gain practical strategy to support inclusion, access, and equity for children with disabilities in their daily lives.

       

  • Assessment and Treatment of Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)

    Speakers: Dr. Karen Harpster, Dr. Rebecca Hommer

    • Learn about assessing and treating CVI and children with cerebral palsy, with a focus on functional vision and explore evidence-based strategies to improve visual processing, participation, and quality of life.

       

  • Assistive Technology in Children under 3      

    Speaker: Lauren Tooley

    • Explore how therapists can support on‑time communication for children under three through evidence‑based adaptation of communication tools.

       

  • Behavioral Psychology Principles: Support at home and community           

    Speakers: Dr. Ariel Sheltry, Dr. Emma Cole

    • Gain an understanding of behavioral psychology principles used to support children with cerebral palsy at home and in community environments, and learn practical strategies to build independence, emotional regulation, and participation in everyday activities.

       

  • Bench to Bedside - Discoveries that Impact Care      

    Speakers: Dr. Sujatha Kannan, Dr. Lauren Jantzie, Dr. Joseph Scafidi

    • Be inspired by recent research in cerebral palsy that can be translated from laboratory and clinical trials into real-world care for children.

       

  • Best Practices for Complex Cerebral Palsy Care        

    Speakers: Dr. Mark Gormley, Dr. Alison Miles

    • Gain insight from an overview of best practices for providing comprehensive, coordinated care for children with complex cerebral palsy that supports function, health, participation, and quality of life while addressing the unique needs of children and their families.

       

  • Biomechanical Development of Early Movement

    Speakers: Dr. Colleen Peyton

    • Explore the biomechanics of early movement in children, focusing on how typical and atypical motor patterns emerge in the context of cerebral palsy.

       

  • Body Weight-Assisted Motor Learning- Implementation into practice

    Speakers: Dr. Laura Prosser, Dr. Barbara Sargent

    • Explore how dynamic weight support can increase motor learning opportunities for young children with neuromotor impairments.

       

  • Cerebral Palsy and Congenital Heart Disease

    Speaker: Dr. April Sharp

    • Gain insight about relationship between cerebral palsy and congenital heart disease, including common health considerations and the impact on development, mobility, and overall well-being in children.

       

  • Comorbid Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Speakers: Dr. Bethany Schwandt, Dr. Kelly Shepard

    • Learn about common presentations of ASD and cerebral palsy in the domains of sensory, executive, language function and differences. Understand conditions that may lead to co-occurring diagnoses.

       

  • Comorbid Epilepsy

    Speakers: Dr. Siddarth Gupta, Dr. Archana Nelliot

    • Gain insight of comorbid epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy, including its impact on development, daily function, and overall health outcomes. Understand current approaches to identification, medical management, and interdisciplinary care.

  • Creating Communities of Practice for CP

    Speakers: Valerie Pieraccini, Dr. Gavin Colquitt

    • Be introduced to communities of practice as a practical strategy for supporting early Cerebral Palsy detection in real-world settings. Learn how to implement in your own community.

       

  • Dosage in Early Cerebral Palsy Motor Therapy         

    Speakers: Dr. Stacey Dusing, Dr. Barbara Sargent

    • Review recent evidence surrounding intensity of therapy and dosage of gross motor and upper extremity interventions therapy for early Cerebral Palsy.

       

  • Early Detection in Rural Settings- Partners, Adaptations and Trainee Pathways      

    Speakers: Dr. Nathalie Maitre, Dr. Gavin Colquitt

    • Gain strategies for early detection of cerebral palsy in rural settings and explore trainee pathways and workforce development approaches that support sustainable early identification and intervention in underserved communities.

        

  • Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy 

    Speakers: Dr. Stacey Suskauer, Dr. Beth Slomine

    • Benefit from understanding how early brain injury contributes to the development of cerebral palsy in children, including key mechanisms of neurological impact. Learn how early neural injury correlates with diagnosis and prognosis, and leads to targeted intervention strategies.

       

  • Family Roadmaps and Care Navigation -How to       

    Speakers: Dr. Nathalie Maitre, Allison McIntyre, Carol Shrader

    • Gain practical strategies to help families navigate therapies, medical care, education, and community resources for families living with cerebral palsy.

       

  • Genetics in Early Cerebral Palsy Detection    

    Speakers: Alexis Heidlebaugh 

    • Understand fundamental genetic concepts and how these relate to clinical genetic testing for cerebral palsy. Discuss how genetic testing may support early identification, guide individualized care, and help families better understand a child’s diagnosis and future needs.

       

  • Hip Surveillance in Early Cerebral Palsy         

    Speakers: Dr. Heather Riordan, Dr. Ranjit Varghese

    • Gain an overview of current evidence and literature related to early surgical decision-making and interventions for children with cerebral palsy and the role of allied health professionals in supporting hip surveillance, early identification, and care planning.

       

  • Implementation of Early Constraint-induced Movement Therapy and Bimanual Therapies

    Speakers: Dr. Kanishka Baduni, Valerie Pieraccini, Haley Holt, Nicole Andrejow

    • Explore implementation of early constraint-induced movement therapy and bimanual therapies to support upper extremity function in young children with cerebral palsy. Learn play-based activities and family-centered approaches that promote motor learning and functional participation.

       

  • Interdisciplinary Early Cerebral Palsy Care for High-Risk Cases         

    Speakers: Dr. Andrea Duncan, Dr. Deanna Johnson, Michele Hilberg, Brendan Russell, Dr. Ajoke Akintade

    • Focus on why interdisciplinary management is relevant to diagnosing and caring for young children with cerebral palsy and the academic mandates for interdisciplinary care and teaching in pediatric disciplines.

       

  • Measurement Tools for Unilateral CP

    Speakers: Dr. Laura Malone, Dr. Nayo Hill

    • Learn the need for assessment tools for cerebral palsy and the development of a novel motor assessment for children with hemiplegia and how they can inform therapies.

       

  • Measuring Neurodevelopment and Early Cognition 

    Speakers: Dr. Gwendolyn Gerner, Dr. Rachel Gilbert

    • Explore tools and strategies for measuring early neurodevelopment and cognition in children with cerebral palsy to support timely intervention, individualized care, and improved developmental outcomes.

       

  • Multidisciplinary Care to Feeding and Nutrition       

    Speakers: Dr. Gamze Ozsoy, Dr. Dorie Obertello, Dr. Jennifer Del Re

    • Know about the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to feeding and nutrition for children with cerebral palsy during early development. Learn strategies to support safe feeding, optimize nutrition, and improve health and growth.

       

  • Navigating a NICU Discharge Summary to Identify Risk for Cerebral Palsy   

    Speakers: Dr. Brittany Schwarz, Dr. Faith Kim

    • Understand how information in a NICU discharge summary can identify early risk factors for cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Learn how to use discharge information to support early monitoring, timely referrals, and intervention planning that promotes the best possible outcomes for children.

       

  • Neurodevelopmental Assessments in the NICU        

    Speakers: Dr. Joanna Burton Dr. Julie Patterson, Dr. Kerry Vela (virtual)

    • Learn the importance of neurodevelopment assessments 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.​

       

  • Pain and Sleep in Cerebral Palsy

    Speakers: Dr. Eric Chin, Dr. Valerie Paasch

    • Delve into the impact of pain and sleep on the health, development, and daily participation of children with cerebral palsy. Learn practical, family-centered strategies to recognize the correlation between sleep and pain.

       

  • Prediction of Outcomes into Adulthood after an Early Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis: Can we do it?     

    Speakers: Dr. Nathalie Maitre, Jennifer Lyman

    • Review the literature on prediction of outcomes and factors that impact individuals with cerebral palsy from early diagnosis into adulthood. Reflect on principles of parent engagement in conducting conversations surrounding shared decisions and prognosis.

       

  • Principles for Early Cerebral Palsy Intensive Models of Therapy      

    Speakers: Teressa Reidy, Dr. Katlyn Billups, Dr. Elizabeth Wohlberg

    • Examine key principles of early intensive therapy models designed to support motor learning, participation, and functional development in children with cerebral palsy.

       

  • Principles of Motor Learning and Error         

    Speakers: Dr. Laura Prosser, Dr. Ryan Roemmeich

    • Explore the principles of motor learning and the role of self-Initiated movement, repetition and error in skill development for children with cerebral palsy. Learn how a play-based approach can maximize motor development during the early years.

       

  • The Mini SCALE

    Speakers: Dr. Barbara Sargent, Dr. Loretta Staudt

    • Explore the critical development of lower extremity selective motor control (SMC) and its role as a primary predictor of future motor function and participation in infants with spastic cerebral palsy. Learn the clinical administration of the Mini-SCALE.

       

  • The New Hot Topics of Basic Science

    Speakers: Dr. Shenandoah Robinson, Dr. Frances Northington, Dr. Nazil Kuter

    • Review evidence from 10 basic science papers from the past 3 years that have a profound impact on how we think about early cerebral palsy.

       

  • Therapies Incorporating the Senses in the NICU       

    Speakers: Dr. Carmina Erdei, Jamie Shegogue

    • Examine sensory-based therapies used in the NICU to support early development, regulation, and bonding for infants at risk for cerebral palsy. Learn how sensory experiences can promote positive early outcomes during critical stages of neurodevelopment.

       

  • Top 10 in Early Childhood Cerebral Palsy: Key Papers and Hot Topics          

    Speakers: Dr. Caitlin Kjeldsen, Dr. Theresa Moulton-Sukal

    • Review evidence from 10 published papers on hot topics from the past 3 years that have a profound impact on how we think about early cerebral palsy.

       

  • Transitions Phases of Cerebral Palsy Care

    Speakers: Dr. Heather Riordan, Ashley Whaley

    • Understand the long-term impact of cerebral palsy across the lifespan including muscle, bone, and metabolic changes. Gain proactive strategies to preserve mobility and quality of life

       

  • Trauma Care for Parents following the NICU and/or Diagnosis        

    Speakers: Erica Carroll, Sarah Miller

    • Look at the emotional impact that NICU experiences and a cerebral palsy diagnosis can have on parents and caregivers. Learn trauma-informed strategies to support caregiver well-being, strengthen resilience, and promote healthy parent-child relationships throughout early childhood.

       

  • Understanding Alternative and Complementary Medical Interventions      

    Speakers: Jennifer Lyman, Dr. Joanna Burton

    • Consider alternative and complementary medical interventions commonly available to children with cerebral palsy and their families. Learn how to evaluate the evidence, efficacy and safety of these approaches to make informed, family-centered care decisions.

       

  • Understanding Alternative and Complementary Therapies for Motor Therapy       

    Speakers: Valerie Pieraccini, Dr. Ginny Paleg, Jennifer Lyman

    • Consider alternative and complementary therapy interventions available to children with cerebral palsy and their families. Learn how to evaluate the evidence, efficacy and safety of these approaches to make informed, family-centered care decisions.

       

  • Upper Extremity Intervention for Cerebral Palsy Research   

    Speaker: Allison McIntire, Dr. Kanishka Baduni

    • Learn the evidence from systematic reviews and recent clinical trials examining upper extremity interventions for infants and toddlers at high risk for or diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Explore emerging approaches and delivery models.

       

It is the policy of CPF that no recordings are permitted in the workshop sessions. Audio or video recording is strictly prohibited