AACPDM President’s Message
AACPDM First Vice President's Message
AACPDM Treasurer Message
AACPDM Philanthropy Task Force Update
Past President’s Reflection: Archives of the AACPDM Village
IAACD Update
Introducing the AACPDM Emerging Leaders Program
AACPDM Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Updates
Mac Keith Press Highlights
Letter from the Editor
 
 
 
 

2025 Annual Meeting

Spring 2025 Follow us on:   Facebook Instagram  

AACPDM President’s Message

Laurie Glader, MDDear AACPDM Members,

Spring is always a busy time for the AACPDM. We identify scholarship winners, review research grant applications, learn which abstracts have been accepted to the Annual Meeting, and the AACPDM Board of Directors holds a series of mid-year meetings. We run full tilt on behalf of individuals with childhood-onset disability and sow the seeds for the upcoming year. In the words of Lady Bird Johnson, “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.”

In recent years, the President’s address in the Spring Newsletter has outlined engaging opportunities for Academy members and thanked each of you for your continued membership and dedication to our vision and mission. This year, in the midst of a world that sometimes feels uncertain or unpredictable, that message rings particularly true.

The AACPDM Executive Committee met in Chicago in March to explore and create plans of action on a broad range of Academy business and needs. We always appreciate that the timing of the mid-year meeting aligns with CP Awareness Month. During the meeting we had the occasion to meet with specialists from the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab to better understand their mission as well as to identify opportunities within the AACPDM.

Reviewing and supporting the work of the Committees is an important responsibility of the Board and often a highlight of Board meetings. This winter/spring was no exception. The work of the Committees continues to reveal itself to be energetic and creative. Thank you to those of you serving on Committees and for the time that you volunteer to move innovation (and the work it requires!) forward in the Academy. 

AACPDM continues to expand member benefits and opportunities for engagement:

  • The first cohort of the AACPDM Emerging Leaders Program launched in February and is flourishing. This program aims to provide early career members with exposure to leadership skill development within the AACPDM and beyond. Please keep reading to learn more from some of the Emerging Leader participants themselves.
     
  • We will announce our 2025 Community Scholars Program recipients and 2025 Annual Meeting Travel Scholar winners soon!
     
  • The third Annual Spring Symposium, "A Lifetime of Transitions: From Diagnosis to Adulthood and Beyond" was held on May 7. The morning session focused on counseling and support for families receiving a diagnosis of a developmental disability for their child, with particular emphasis on cerebral palsy. The afternoon sessions focused on issues related to neurodevelopmental disabilities through adolescence and adulthood, including capacity building for adult neurodevelopmental disability clinics, counseling on sexual health and sexuality in developmental medicine, and concluding with the final transitional conversations in end-of-life care from a palliative care perspective.

This is a summary, the 30,000 foot view of what has been transpiring in our Academy over the last few months. The abundance of activity would not be possible without the commitment of our amazing membership. The passion across disciplinary fields fosters connections across the vast geography of North America and, indeed, around the world, promoting research, education and evidence based clinical care for individuals with childhood onset disability. This network of professionals makes us strong and unique. Please invite your friends and colleagues to join the AACPDM. You can promise them a professional society like no other.

In closure, I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve as President of the Academy this year. It is an honor that I am reminded of almost daily. Please feel free to reach out with thoughts or concerns. I am happy to hear from you.

Laurie Glader, MD
AACPDM President (2024-25)

AACPDM First Vice President's Message

Registration is Open! Join us for the 2025 AACPDM Annual Meeting, “Celebrating Resilience,” taking place October 15–18 in vibrant New Orleans, Louisiana!

This year’s theme was chosen to shine a light on the strength our community. Our members represent a powerful intersection of identities—caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and individuals with childhood-onset disabilities—who consistently rise to meet challenges with compassion and courage. The Annual Meeting is more than an educational event; it’s a chance to invest in yourself and your community. Register now to take advantage of early bird rates!   

We know there are many factors that influence your decision to travel to meetings each year. I’d like to highlight some of the features of this year’s meeting that reflect the tremendous efforts that are being undertaken to bring value to each attendee’s trip:

  • Accessibility of the meeting is core to our vision and soul as an organization. This year our planning team worked with a local consultant during our site visit and is proud to announce Access Navigators - a group of dedicated individuals that will enhance accessibility at our host hotel and support attendees to fully engage in the conference experience. So that we can best support you, please share any personal accommodations when you register. Onsite, look for the Navigators should any issues arise, and/or consider becoming a Navigator. In support of this overall goal, staff have been collaborating with other national organizations to prioritize accessibility in selection of future meeting venues.
     
  • More than 70 education session offerings, exciting science in free paper podium presentations, dedicated poster times to discuss the science behind the work, a Welcome Reception and time reserved for interacting with our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) - all included in your registration.
  • Our excellent sponsors will bring energy and innovation to the Exhibit Hall showcasing products, services and tools to enhance your clinical practice. Complete a scavenger hunt through the exhibits to guide your exploration, and for the chance to win a 2026 AACPDM membership!
  • Six amazing Pre-Conference Sessions to begin the meeting with a deeper exploration of topics important to membership and in many cases cultivated by our Committees/SIGs.
  • Celebrating is in our theme and will be the goal of our Networking Celebration on Friday evening at the Fillmore New Orleans! This music venue is within viewing distance of the hotel (a short walk, roll, or dance away) and carries the legacy of the iconic Fillmore of the 1960’s in San Francisco. It will serve as our backdrop to connect with new and old friends.

Social connection is a powerful antidote to the feelings of stress and concern we know many of our members are facing right now. Join us in New Orleans to offer and receive the support of your colleagues, to share challenges, to brainstorm solutions, to find collective voice, to celebrate successes. The AACPDM is resilient because our members are resilient, and we hope to honor that spirit with you in October.

Theresa Sukal-Moulton, PT, DPT, PhD
AACPDM First Vice President (2024-25)

AACPDM Treasurer Message

Financial Resilience

As an Academy, we all work to support our vision to advance the health and well-being of all individuals with cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities.  There is no better time than now, as colleagues and friends to meet together at our Annual Meeting in New Orleans to celebrate comradery, reconnection and resilience this coming October.

The world has seen great changes in financial pressures in the past several years.  As we navigate through the current challenging financial times, it is crucial for us, as a membership organization, to ensure our financial soundness and resilience through embracing a culture of economic optimization. Our collective efforts are essential to maintain the stability and sustainability of our organization.

There are numerous ways any member can be a leader and help the AACPDM to remain strong so we can continue to serve our membership, and in turn, those with childhood-onset disability.

  • Renew your AACPDM Membership, and encourage a new colleague to join;
  • Participate in the 2025 Spring Symposium and other eCourses;
  • Provide a monetary donation to AACPDM; and
  • Register and attend the 2025 Annual Meeting.

AACPDM will not compromise the quality of our services or the satisfaction of our members. On the contrary, our focus on financial soundness and fiscal responsibility will enable us to build a stronger foundation and better serve our Academy and our members in the long run.

As we continue to navigate these current financial constraints, your support and dedication to AACPDM is the fundamental foundation of our Academy. If you haven’t attended the Annual Meeting in some time, reconnect at our robust Annual Meeting. If you are new to the Annual Meeting, we have extensive offerings to help you connect and grow in this Academy. And for those of you who are regulars, like myself, welcoming new members and those who haven’t attended in some time, exploring the vast educational offerings, connecting with friends and colleagues, and networking with experts are all activities I look forward to and value every year.  Not only does your engagement support the financial resilience of the Academy, it permits the Academy to support you throughout your career.  

Joline Brandenburg, MD
AACPDM Treasurer (2022-25)


AACPDM Philanthropy Task Force Update

The AACPDM Philanthropy Task Force would like to extend our gratitude to Member’s and Friends of the AACPDM for your continued support. So far in 2025, the Academy has raised $14,000 in donations! This is in part thanks to individual members selecting the AACPDM to be their tribute or an honorary donation organization. Thank you!

If you have an interest in this sometime in the future, please reach out to the AACPDM Office. For reference, there are three types of donations that AACPDM has received in recent years:

Tribute Giving: Provided in honor of or in memory of someone. It can be used for various occasions, including birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or to honor someone's passing.

Honorary Gifts: Donations made to honor a person's life, achievements, or a special milestone. They are often used in lieu of traditional gifts.

Memorial Donations: Made to honor someone who has passed away. They are a way to remember a loved one and support a cause that was important to them.

AACPDM is grateful to those who helped establish our reserve funds years ago. This investment in the future of the Academy has helped us in tangible ways over the years, including:            

  • Offering Research Grants to junior investigators; 
  • Investing in the start of the Care Pathways publications;
  • Creating and updating our Strategic Plan; and     
  • Providing Travel Scholarships to attend our Annual Meeting.

In 2024 the AACPDM Philanthropy Task Force sponsored a webinar to allow members to learn more and to kick off our exciting 2024 Fundraising Initiative. That recording focuses on general information regarding investments, which may be helpful for you in regard to your participation with AACPDM, or some other non-profit organization. Please watch the videos on the Members' Only Dashboard.

We are excited to report that the AACPDM will be providing another matching opportunity in the Fall during the 2025 Annual Meeting. More details will be released as we get closer to the event.

Make a Donation Today!

M. Wade Shrader, MD
AACPDM President (2023-2024)

Past President’s Reflection: Archives of the AACPDM Village

A project intended to preserve stories from the past to help shape the future of the AACPDM.

In 2021, to honor the 75th Anniversary of the AACPDM, the Academy introduced a new video series showcasing those who have significantly impacted its history: Archives of the AACPDM Village: Past Presidents and Trail Blazers. This series features Past Presidents, each of whom has uniquely shaped the AACPDM community. Their tales remind us of the diverse personalities and traits that form the AACPDM village and how each one supports the Academy's multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary vision. These individuals have played critical roles in advocacy, mentorship, cultural growth, women’s leadership, and research excellence.

Every Past President has learned from one another, matured together, and often forged enduring friendships. Their narratives intertwine, revealing their deep commitment to the Academy, their colleagues, and the patients and families the Village aims to assist.

We hope you find enjoyment in these interviews. To delve into the complete interviews from the AACPDM Archives, please visit the AACPDM YouTube channel, where you can engage with a past president and trailblazer.

IAACD Update

Submitted by: Sruthi Thomas, MD, PhD, IAACD Communications Committee Chair

The IAACD Executive Committee hopes to see you all at the EACD-IAACD meeting in Heidelberg, Germany from June 24-28, 2025. More information can be found on the IAACD website. Our Global Professional Education Committee (GPEC) is hard at work updating resources for our members, in particular our Listening and Sharing Sessions taking place November 7, 2025. Please checkout this committee's tremendous efforts on our webpage

Other recently published resources include:

Visit the Knowledge Hub Resource page for more information.

Introducing the AACPDM Emerging Leaders Program: Part 1

The AACPDM Emerging Leaders Program aims to provide early career members with opportunities to develop leadership skills within the AACPDM. The program aligns with the AACPDM strategic plan in the following areas:

  • Enhancing our Connected, Multi-Disciplinary Community by promoting a welcoming, engaging, and diverse network of multi-disciplinary professionals for early career members, and 
  • Increasing educational opportunities for early career members by prioritizing forums for the exchange and dissemination of information designed to enhance career development opportunities for early career members, and
  • Encouraging research and innovation through mentorship opportunities that increase capacity to generate, evaluate, and apply research to practice in the area of childhood-onset disability.

Meet a few of this year's Emerging Leaders Program Participants:

Nia Irene Mensah, PT, DPT, PhD
Board Certified Pediatric Physical Therapy Specialist (PCS) and Clinical Researcher
University of Southern California

I became an AACPDM member in 2020 as a PhD student and attended my first Annual Meeting in 2021, where I presented a poster on my pilot research. The feedback I received was invaluable and directly shaped how we refined our work moving forward. What struck me most about AACPDM was the global commitment to children with cerebral palsy, the inclusion of families, and the depth of expertise across disciplines. I rejoined as a postdoctoral fellow in 2024 and applied to the Emerging Leaders Program because the leadership aligns closely with my research in early intervention and in supporting children with severe motor impairments (GMFCS IV and V). AACPDM has significantly impacted my career by connecting me to a network of thought leaders and mentors. For early-career members, programs like Emerging Leaders offer guidance and structure. My advice for up-and-coming pediatric PTs or emerging researchers: seek connection, ask questions, and use this community to grow intentionally.


Helen Long, PhD, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathology, Assistant Professor
Case Western Reserve University  

I’ve been a member of AACPDM since 2019. I truly value the multidisciplinary networking opportunities especially through the Annual Meeting and my involvement with the Membership Committee. It's been incredibly rewarding to connect with professionals across a wide range of disciplines and people with lived experiences who are all committed to improving care for people with developmental disabilities.

AACPDM has greatly expanded my understanding of CP care across disciplines. It has helped me better understand other disciplines' scope of care, collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, and strengthened my commitment to advocating for early identification and intervention for speech and communication needs in young children with CP.

Early career mentorship programs are critical for helping build meaningful connections with others in related disciplines across career stages. Learning how to build leadership skills together and grow professional networks can really shape our careers for the better, as early as possible. All through a shared commitment to improving the lives of people with CP around the world, that is something special.

My advice to other early-career members is to get involved! Joining a committee early on in my membership was one of the best decisions I made. It's a great way to meet others, form collaborations (which I can attest to), and learn more about all the Academy has to offer. The welcoming and friendly spirit of this community has been so telling of how special this community really is.


Sonia Khurana, PT, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
Ellmer College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University

What I most enjoy being an AACPDM member is the sense of community and the professional growth it fosters. I joined AACPDM in 2019 while pursuing my postdoctoral fellowship and have served on the AACPDM Research Committee since then.  As an international student, AACPDM provided me the critical platform early in my career, and now, as a faculty member at an R1 institution, it continues to be my most valuable professional organization. Over the years, it has offered me opportunities to review grants, engage in meaningful mentorship relationships, exchange research ideas and build a strong professional network. AACPDM has played a significant role in my academic journey and continues to support my development as a researcher and educator.

Mentorship programs like Emerging Leaders Program are vital for early career members because they create structured opportunities to learn directly from those who have navigated similar career paths. These programs offer access to mentors’ experiences, insights and advice- lessons that are not found in textbooks or formal training. They also help emerging professionals to build confidence, expand their networks and feel supported as they take on new challenges in research, and academic careers.


Selamenesh Tsige Legas, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
Western University


I have been a member of AACPDM since 2022, starting as a clinical fellow and advancing to staff membership in 2025. I enjoy the rich opportunities AACPDM offers to connect with a multi-disciplinary community including Persons with lived experiences integrating evidence-based practice in childhood onset disabilities. AACPDM has enabled me connect with various mentors, enhance my personal development, and develop my leadership skills by involving in enhancing educational opportunities through presentations and fostering a culture of research and innovation in our field. I am honored to be part of the first cohort of the Emerging Leaders Program at AACPDM. Such mentorship programs are crucial for early career members as they provide guidance, support, and insights from experienced professionals in diverse settings. My advice to fellow early-career members is to be proactive and build supportive network by seeking mentorship opportunities, engaging in international collaborations, and staying committed to continuous learning and research.


Alexandra Santana Almansa, MD
Fetal and Neonatal Neurology
Boston Children's Hospital


I have been an AACPDM member for two years and what I love most about being a member is the interdisciplinary approach to caring for individuals with cerebral palsy and the opportunity to connect with a community of professionals who share a common passion. AACPDM fosters meaningful collaboration across specialties, which enhances both clinical care and professional development. Membership in AACPDM has been instrumental in shaping my professional development as a child neurologist with a focus on cerebral palsy. Participation in the annual meetings has allowed me to engage with leaders in the field and remain current with emerging evidence. Through my involvement in the Advocacy Committee, I have gained insights into health policy and learned to advocate more effectively. Moreover, being paired with a mentor through the mentorship program has provided invaluable guidance.

Mentorship programs are vital for early-career professionals as they provide guidance, support, and sponsorship at a crucial stage of career development. These help early clinicians identify opportunities that align with their long-term goals, all while enhancing the quality of care they provide. I strongly encourage early-career professionals to actively engage with professional organizations such as AACPDM. These platforms provide invaluable opportunities for scholarly development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship.


Jensine' Clark, MD
Assistant Professor
University of Cincinnati

 I joined AACPDM when I started my pediatric rehabilitation fellowship in 2019. What I enjoy most about AACPDM is making connections and being a part of the member community and special interest groups. Being a part of an organization that strives for high quality patient care, helps me review guidelines and connect with innovators in the field. Learning from an interdisciplinary group, like Emerging Leaders, helps me solve system issues and helps me continue to be motivated to keep up the hard work. My advice to early-career members is to always make a friend. These connections may seem random, but it is so helpful to find people who can help you in unexpected ways.


Anna Jesus
Developmental Pediatrician
University of Virginia

My name is Anna Jesus and I'm a developmental pediatrician at the University of Virginia. I have been a member of AACPDM for about five years (since shortly before the pandemic hit!), and quickly joined the Complex Care Committee, for which I am now the Chair. I love being able to meet and learn from colleagues, advocates, and leaders around the globe both within and outside of my field. And I love dancing like no one is watching (really, don't watch!) at the Annual Meeting gala. I rely on mentors often for guidance on next steps in my career, and when to say "yes" or "no" to opportunities as they come about. Mentorship programs such as the Emerging Leaders Program are helpful at connecting early career members with those outside of their direct network – as someone who is scared of reaching beyond my home institution, this nudge is helpful!

AACPDM Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Updates

AACPDM Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are communities within the Academy, created around a shared interest in a particular area of focus, knowledge, learning, technology, or other characteristics of AACPDM membership. SIG meetings are held virtually 1-2 times per year as well as in-person at the Annual Meeting.

Adapted Sports & Recreation - sign up here

We are excited to share that our pre-conference workshop, "Fostering Inclusive Participation in Adapted Sports and Exercise Programs for Individuals with CP: Bridging the Gaps," has been accepted for the 2025 AACPDM Annual Meeting. This hands-on course, developed in collaboration with the Louisiana GUMBO Games, will provide attendees with strategies to align therapy goals with family priorities, prescribe evidence-based exercise dosing, and connect patients to community-based sport programs. In addition, the ASR SIG is planning an International Adapted Sport Town Hall this summer, designed to foster global dialogue among athletes, researchers, and clinicians. These efforts reflect the SIG’s continued commitment to education, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration in support of individuals with childhood-onset disabilities. We welcome all members and prospective partners to get involved and help advance inclusion and participation through sport and recreation.

Adults and Aging - sign up here

Please join us for the upcoming Adults & Aging SIG meeting on June 12, 2025 at 4pm ET, where we'll be treated to a discussion about Primary Care for Adults with CP.  We'll hear from Dr. Antoinette Benton, a Primary Care provider in New Mexico whose practice is focused on caring for adults with CP and other conditions, and from Dr. Mark Peterson, a researcher at the University of Michigan whose body of work focuses on influencers of health in adults with disabilities. We're looking forward to their excellent talks and for the discussion that is sure to follow, and hope we'll see you there! Click HERE to register in advance for this meet-up.

Complex Care - sign up here

This Fall the Complex Care SIG held it's first virtual meet-up which focused on optimizing complex care in the primary care setting and coding and billing pearls. SIG members continued this discussion during an in-person meet-up at the Annual Meeting in Quebec. They look forward to the next virtual SIG meet-up coming this Spring. Stay tuned for the date!

Technology - sign up here
If you are interested in joining this group of forward-thinking rehabilitation technology enthusiasts, please sign up. We welcome everyone from all specialties (MD, PT, OT, Eng and more), including those with lived experience, to join for educational opportunities, project planning, and setting the goals of this new group.

Visit the AACPDM SIGs page to learn more about the work of the SIGs and to sign up today!

Mac Keith Press Highlights

eBook promo

Featured Publications

Gait Problems in Cerebral Palsy: Identification, Patient Goals, and Surgical Treatment

We are excited to announce that Gait Problems in Cerebral Palsy: Identification, Patient Goals, and Surgical Treatment is out now in three formats: hardback with video access, eBook with video access, and an integrated online resource.

Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination Online Training Course

A new online training course developed by Dr Joanne George. Designed to provide clinicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to use the HINE.

Featured Podcast

Growing up together with young people with disabilities: Co-producing the future

In this podcast, Dido Green, Annette Zammit, Charles Zammit and Janine Naudé discuss their paper 'Growing up together with young people with disabilities: Co-producing the future'.

Read the Paper

Letter from the Editor

The Academy truly appreciates all the hard work of its dedicated members to advance the health and well-being of everyone with cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities. With Spring blooming around us, we’re excited to present several Annual Award opportunities for our members, including the Mentorship Award, the Corbett Ryan Pathways Pioneer Award, and the Fred P. Sage Award. We're also eagerly preparing for the 79th Annual Meeting, with registration opening soon.

There's always something wonderful happening at the Academy, and I hope you continue to enjoy all the fantastic benefits of membership!

Julieanne P. Sees, DO, MBA
AACPDM Newsletter Editor