Pre-Conference Sessions

Sunday, September 27, 2026

 

Pre-Conference Registration Pricing:

1.75 Hour Long Sessions:
$65.00 (Member)
$99.00 (Non-member)
$40.00 (Member student)

4 Hour Long Sessions:
$125.00 (Member)
$199.00 (Non-member)
$75.00 (Member student)

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Morning Sessions (8:00am - 12:00pm ET)
4 Hour Long Sessions

 

PC1: Translational Research in Cerebral Palsy: How Emerging Science Will Transform Clinical Care

Speakers: Robert E. Akins, PhD, Lauren L. Jantzie, PhD, Sudarshan Dayanidhi, PT, PhD, Katharina A. Quinlan, PhD, Adam Marsh, PhD, Mona Batish, PhD, Elizabeth Wright-Jin, MD, PhD, Bhooma R. Aravamuthan, MD, DPhil, FAAN, FCNS

Purpose: This course is designed to help practicing clinicians and members of the AACPDM community understand emerging developments in translational research and their implications for patient care.

Target Audience: The course will be valuable for pediatric neurologists, developmental pediatricians, physiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, neonatologists, rehabilitation professionals, and members of the AACPDM community interested in emerging science. No prior research experience is required. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how basic science discoveries are being translated toward clinical application and how to engage with research opportunities.

Background and Summary: Translational research in cerebral palsy and early onset developmental disorders is rapidly advancing. Discoveries in epigenetics, RNA biology, muscle physiology, and neural circuit function are poised to transform how we diagnose, treat, and counsel patients and their families. This course is designed to help practicing clinicians and members of the AACPDM community understand these emerging developments and their implications for patient care. Through a series of lectures, case discussions, and interactive workshops, participants will gain practical knowledge about how current translational research efforts may soon change clinical practice and understand how they can engage with emerging translational research programs.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain how perinatal brain injury is associated with \changes in muscle and motor circuits that contribute to the evolving clinical picture in CP.
• Describe emerging biomarkers (epigenetic, RNA-based) that may enable earlier diagnosis and risk stratification in CP.
• Discuss with families and colleagues how current research on muscle stem cells and contracture biology may lead to new treatments.
• Identify opportunities to participate in or refer participants to translational research studies
• Apply standardized assessment approaches for dystonia that translate directly from research to clinical practice.

 

PC2: AACPDM Care Pathway Creation and Implementation in the Real World

Speakers: Jilda Vargus-Adams, MD MSc, Roslyn N. Boyd, Laurie Glader, MD, Kelly Pham, MD, Stacey D. Miller, BSc(PT), MRSc, Sruthi P. Thomas, MD, PhD

Purpose: This preconference course will introduce the AACPDM Care Pathways, describe pathway development, and guide participants through implementing them in their daily practice.

Target Audience: physicians, therapists, and other providers who care for children with disabilities.

Background and Summary: The AACPDM facilitates the development and dissemination of Care Pathways, supporting clinicians by providing clinical recommendations for the care of individuals with childhood-onset disabilities. Seven Care Pathways have been developed and endorsed by the AACPDM. This course will share information on how Care Pathways are developed, describe how they have evolved since their inception, outline current Care Pathway content, and describe ways in which Care Pathways are currently being utilized in different practice settings. Participants will identify and pursue opportunities for implementation of the Care Pathways to improve care delivery including discussion of barriers and facilitators to implementation. Presenters, representing diverse disciplines and practice locations, include those who have developed Care Pathways, evaluated Care Pathways, and/or been a part of unique implementation initiatives at their own centers.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the purpose and structure of care pathways and compare them with clinical practice guidelines, using existing examples (e.g., Early Detection of CP, Dystonia) to highlight similarities and differences.
• Describe the process of developing a care pathway, including the role of systematic reviews, evidence grading (e.g., GRADE), and common methodological challenges encountered during development.
• Identify the scope and intent of current AACPDM care pathways, recognizing how different pathways address distinct clinical conditions across the continuum of care.
• Apply care pathways to real-world clinical scenarios by working through case examples and implementation stories across diverse conditions and resource settings.
• Analyze barriers and facilitators to care pathway implementation and outline practical steps for adopting and integrating a care pathway within their own clinical or institutional context.

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Morning Sessions (8:00am - 9:45am ET)
1.75 Hour Long Sessions

 

PC3: Upper Extremity Surgical Care for Patients with CP/Stroke including Hyperselective Neurectomy

Speakers: Carley Vuillermin, MBBS MPH FRACS, M Claire Manske, MD

Purpose: To provide an in-depth understanding of current surgical practices, innovations, and assessments for upper extremity care in patients with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Stroke, incorporating traditional tendon transfers, lengthening’s, joint stabilization and hyperselective neurectomy.

Target Audience: Physicians, surgeons, allied health professionals, rehabilitation specialists and other healthcare providers involved with the care of patients with childhood onset disabilities.

Background and Summary: Upper extremity dysfunction significantly impacts quality of life in individuals with CP and stroke. Traditional surgical treatments focus on muscle lengthening, tendon transfers and joint stabilization, but innovations like Hyperselective Neurectomy are entering practice, providing new hope through targeted nerve interventions that improve function while minimizing unwanted spasticity. This pre-course, led by Dr. Carley Vuillermin from Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, alongside Dr. M Claire Manske from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, will emphasize the importance of collaboration and multiple perspectives ensuring personalized, effective care. Content experts from multiple institutions will offer evidence-based instruction infused with experiential insight.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify patients who may benefit from surgical consultation
• List aspects of function for assessing upper extremity disorders in CP/stroke patients.
• Describe benefits and limitations of traditional upper extremity surgical treatments.
• Define the role of hyperselective neurectomy in modern upper extremity surgical care.
• Demonstrate knowledge of patient selection for surgical interventions

 

PC4: Letting Go Without Letting Down: Rewriting the Transition to Adulthood in Cerebral Palsy

Speakers: Jensine Clark, MD, Melissa Villegas, MD, Mary Schmidt, DO, Heidi Haapala, MD, Caitlin Cassidy, MD

Purpose: Transition from pediatric to adult care must be considered as a longitudinal, community-embedded process, rather than as a single handoff between pediatric and adult systems. In this session, the process of transition will be examined, with consideration given to the interaction of individual-level factors (e.g., functional variability, self-management capacity, evolving health needs) and system-level factors (e.g., access to adult providers, care continuity, environmental and structural barriers). A disability and health disparities framework will be presented and applied to concepts in transition, leading to improved understanding of why inequities persist during transition and how they can be addressed through intentional program design.

Target Audience: pediatric and adult physicians, allied health professions, social workers, program administrators, researchers, persons with lived experience

Background and Summary: Transition from pediatric to adult care remains a persistent challenge for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), often resulting in fragmented care, unmet medical needs, and reduced participation in adult life. These challenges are amplified by the intersection of disability-related factors, healthcare system limitations, and social and structural determinants of health. As a result, many transition services focus on the transfer of care rather than the broader goal of supporting adults with CP to thrive in their communities.

In this session, three core domains of effective transition will be presented, and strategies to effectively include these care concepts in transition program design will be discussed. The domains include: a) Medical management (continuity of rehabilitation and preventive care, management of pain, spasticity, fatigue, and secondary conditions), b)Participation and community integration (centered on adult outcomes such as employment, education, living arrangements, and social engagement), and c)Environmental facilitators influencing healthcare engagement and meaningful participation (including transportation, insurance, neighborhood context, and access to community resources). Throughout the discussion, participants will be encouraged to consider how disability and health disparities influence each element of effective transition and how inequities can be addressed.

By centering equity, participation, and systems-level thinking, this session aims to equip clinicians, researchers, and program leaders with practical tools to develop transition models that support lifelong health, engagement, and belonging for adults with cerebral palsy.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe transition for adults with CP as a longitudinal, community-embedded process shaped by the intersection of disability, healthcare systems, and social context.
• Identify key individual-level and system-level factors that contribute to disparities during the transition from pediatric to adult care for adults with CP.
• Apply an equity-informed framework to analyze transition needs across three core domains: medical management, participation and community integration, and environmental facilitators.
• Develop practical strategies to support effective transition that are feasible across community-based, academic, and under-resourced settings.
• Integrate medical, participation, and environmental considerations into a cohesive transition program model that promotes lifelong health, engagement, and community belonging.

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Morning Sessions (10:15am - 12:00pm ET)
1.75 Hour Long Sessions

 

PC5: Orthopedic Surgery for Adults with Cerebral Palsy

Speakers: Garey H. Noritz, MD, FAAP, FACP, Hank G. Chambers, MD, Kevin P. Murphy, MD

Purpose: This course will present an overview of common orthopedic surgical procedures that adults with cerebral palsy (CP) may need. Specifically, the course will present the unique aspects of caring for adults with CP undergoing orthopedic surgery, including shared decision making, preoperative assessment, surgical management, medical co-management, and postoperative rehabilitation.

Target Audience: Physicians, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Nurses

Background and Summary: This course will provide a discussion of orthopedic surgical procedures that adults with CP may undergo. The impact of these surgical procedures on the patient and their family will be discussed within the context of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
Surgery of the foot, knee, hip, and spine will be discussed, including indications, patient selection, consent issues, surgical techniques, and postoperative care, including a discussion of the unique rehabilitation requirements for adults with CP. A discussion of the issues regarding medical co-management of this patient population will be presented.
Participants are invited to submit cases ahead of the session for discussion by the presenters and the audience.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe details of orthopedic surgical procedures that are performed on adults with cerebral palsy
• To modify and improve the patient’s experience of undergoing orthopedic surgery
• To discuss how pediatric providers set the stage for successful adult care
• To discuss how postoperative care and rehabilitation differs for adults with CP undergoing orthopedic surgery
• To discuss the complex issues requiring medical management of adults with CP undergoing surgery, including preoperative assessment, hospital management, and management of postoperative complications

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Afternoon Sessions (1:00pm - 5:00pm ET)
4 Hour Long Sessions

 

PC6: Musculoskeletal Surveillance in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Spine, Hip, and Knee

Speakers: Arianna Trionfo, MD, Alexa J. Karkenny, MD, FAAOS, FAAP, Brett Shannon, MD, Vedant A. Kulkarni, MD, Rachel Thompson, MD, Jason J. Howard, MD, Christina Herrero, MD

Purpose: To provide interprofessional clinicians with an evidence-based approach to musculoskeletal surveillance of the hip, spine and knee in children with CP.

Target Audience: Interprofessional clinicians involved in the longitudinal care of individuals with CP, including physiatrists, orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and trainees.

Background and Summary: Children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) are at high risk for progressive musculoskeletal deformities of the hip, spine, and knee, which can negatively impact activity, comfort, caregiving, and quality of life. While structured hip surveillance programs have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing late dislocation and improving outcomes, surveillance of the spine and knee remains variable across clinical settings.

There is a clear need for a comprehensive, integrated approach to musculoskeletal surveillance that extends beyond the hip and supports early identification, risk stratification, and timely intervention. This pre-course will focus on evidence-based surveillance strategies for the hip, spine, and knee, with an emphasis on how surveillance findings guide clinical decision-making, referral pathways, and treatment planning within an interprofessional care model.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe evidence-based surveillance protocols for the hip, spine, and knee in children with cerebral palsy.
• Identify risk factors for progressive deformity based on GMFCS level, age, growth, and neuromuscular characteristics.
• Interpret surveillance findings to determine appropriate monitoring intervals, referral thresholds and indications for intervention.
• Discuss nonoperative and operative treatment options based on deformity severity, functional goals, and patient- and family-centered considerations.
• Integrate surveillance strategies into multidisciplinary clinical practice using case-based decision making.

 

PC7: Palliative Care Across the Lifespan: Shared Experiences Informing Care

Speakers: Monica S. Cooper, MBBS, PhD, Irene C. Dietz, MD, Verena M. Schreiber, MD, Angela Harris, BS, Monica A. Blazek, MD, Debbie E. Thorpe, PT, PhD, Toni R. Benton, MD, Kimberly K. Rauch, DO

Purpose: To examine shared and differing experiences of conversations about dying and palliative care for persons with childhood-onset disabilities. The workshop will be informed by persons with lived experience and families from a range of cultural and community backgrounds, alongside clinical perspectives. We will review advance care planning, variation in practice across centres, and approaches to comfort-focused care in the context of medical complexity and prognostic uncertainty, using real-world narratives and syndrome-specific case scenarios. An updated review of the evidence and ethical frameworks will be presented

Target Audience: Persons with lived experience, parents, caregivers, and clinicians

Background and Summary: This workshop focuses on conversations about death and dying for persons with childhood-onset disability across the lifespan, with particular attention to adulthood and ageing. Discussions about death should begin early and be revisited over time.
Presenters bring international clinical and research expertise from community, palliative and complex care, neuromuscular, orthopaedic, and respiratory services, alongside strong representation from family members and persons with lived experience. Audience participation, in person and online, will be supported through a web-based response system with real-time results, and through moderated panel discussions and small- and large-group activities

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how persons with lived experience and their families have perceives and navigated conversations about risk of death and palliative care across the lifespan.
• Compare approaches to advance care planning and documentation across institutions and care settings.
• Apply ethical frameworks and shared decision-making tools to complex, high-stakes conversations involving families and multidisciplinary teams.
• Identify key medical morbidities and risk factors in persons with physical disability and syndrome-specific disorders that increase mortality, fragility, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal complications, pain/pain phenotypes, mental health disorders
• Demonstrate practical communication strategies for initiating and revisiting conversations about risk, goals of care, and palliative involvement, including in uncertain or challenging situations.

 

PC8: The state of early detection of CP and NDD - Implementation Around the World and Innovations That Will Expand Access

Speakers: Laura A. Prosser, PT, PhD, Alicia Jane Spittle, PhD, MPhysio, BPhysio, Rachel Byrne, PT, Roslyn N. Boyd, Carly Luke, PhD, BPT, Tatiana Ogourtsova, PhD, Ana Bedosivilli, MD, Colleen Peyton, DPT, MSCI

Purpose: To describe the state of early detection of CP and NDD around the world, including advancements in clinical tools to improve detection and technological innovations that will expand access to early detection.

Target Audience: All clinicians wanting to implement evidence-based Early Detection of Cerebral palsy (CP) and Neurodevelopmental Disability (NDD) in both high and low resource settings.

Background and Summary: This practical workshop presents feasibility of state-wide (Queensland, AUS, n>1200) and country-wide (CPF, USA, >3000; Georgia, EU, n>500;) networks for implementation of the evidence-based Early Detection (ED) of CP guidelines published in 2017. We will include efforts to not only screen infants with high risk of CP, but also other neurodevelopmental differences (e.g. autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and developmental delay). We will share international experiences to screen infants including training/implementation methods, feasibility of cultural adaptation in various communities, adaptation to low-resource and regional, rural and remote settings. We will also discuss advancements in clinical tools that are improving detection and technological innovations that will expand access to early detection.

Learning Objectives:

• Review evidence-based screening tools with strong predictive validity, reliability and clinical utility.
• Understand key processes to ensure feasibility of implementing real-world application of evidence-based tools to screen infants for likelihood of CP and NDD (including training models, calibration, technological access, advanced scoring/interpretation).
• Understand barriers and enablers to implementing early screening in low resource and culturally unique settings.
• Describe advancements in clinical tools that are improving detection of CP and NDD.
• Describe technological innovations that will expand access to early detection of CP and NDD.

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Afternoon Sessions (1:00pm - 2:45pm ET)
1.75 Hour Long Sessions

 

PC9: How Do We Measure Up? Assessing Malnutrition in Children with Cerebral Palsy and Other Neurological Impairments

Speakers: Gina R. Rempel, MD, FRCPC, FASPEN, Richard D. Stevenson, MD, Sarah Vermilyea, MS, RD, CSP, LD, CNSC, Koen Huysentruyt, Jessie M. Hulst, MD, PhD, Jodi Wolff, MS, RD, LD, FAND, FAACPDM

Purpose: This session aims to advance the importance and recognition of malnutrition in children with neurological impairment (CNI) by operationalizing the multimodal, nutritional assessment strategies recommended by a consortium of experts.

Target Audience: Physicians, Surgeons, Dietitians, Therapists, Researchers

Background and Summary: Children with neurological impairment (CNI) face functional, medical and social drivers of health that increase their susceptibility to malnutrition compared to their peers without NI. Challenges in acquiring reliable anthropometric data, as well as severity-specific variations in body composition, restrict the applicability of conventional nutrition indicators. Yet nutritional status remains critically important for health, quality of life and surgical outcomes among CNI.

Due to the complexities in diagnosing malnutrition among children with NI, an international expert panel consisting of developmental paediatricians, paediatric gastroenterologists, dietitians and researchers from 10 countries was formed to establish standard criteria for identifying malnutrition in this population. Over the past five years, the group—called "Promoting International Collaboration for Nutrition in Children with Neurological Impairment" (PICNNIC)—conducted a thorough literature review, extracted data, and had domain experts synthesize the main findings. These findings were then used to develop recommendations, which were evaluated through a modified Delphi process with consensus among panel members achieved during the first round of voting.

This preconference session showcases the work of the PICNNIC group in exploring malnutrition, its causes, impacts and strategies for assessment. Utilizing a case study and experiential learning, participants will be systematically guided through methods for identifying malnutrition risk factors, screening for critical concerns, selecting and performing anthropometric measures and growth charts, applying a nutrition-focused physical examination (NFPE) and employing the subjective global nutrition assessment (SGNA) to refine evaluations using the PICNNIC algorithm.

Adoption of these consensus recommendations aims to improve early detection of malnutrition and enable comprehensive, individualized nutritional assessments. In turn, this approach supports effective monitoring and development of tailored nutrition plans to advance health outcomes for CNI.

Learning Objectives:

• Articulate the importance of good nutritional status in children with NI and elements of a comprehensive nutrition assessment
• Identify red flags for malnutrition in children with NI on history and clinical evaluation
• Demonstrate the appropriate use of anthropometric tools needed to assess children with NI
• Apply the elements of a nutrition assessment to a child with NI for whom surgery is anticipated and why the are important
• Explain the importance of the SGNA as an assessment tool in children with NI

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Afternoon Sessions (3:15pm - 5:00pm ET)
4 Hour Long Sessions

 

PC10: Optimizing Use of Technology for Individuals Living with Childhood Acquired Disability : From Clinic to Community and Assessment to Participation

Speakers: Helly Goez, M.D., FRCPC, Claire Shrader, MSOT/OTR/L, Elizabeth G. Condliffe, MD, Adam Kirton, MD, Ashley Pigford, MFA, Ashlee Jaffe, MD, MEd, Sarah H. Evans MD, Brittany Resnick, CCC-SLP

Purpose: Our multicenter, international, multidisciplinary rehabilitation specialists will share up-to-date clinical experience and research data regarding technology poised to optimize clinical care and participation for individuals living with childhood acquired disabilities. Technology to be explored will include AI, robotics and brain computer interface. Following clinically relevant, research supported presentations, attendees will be invited to look to the future and participate in interactive panel discussion regarding the pros and cons of use of technology in rehabilitation.

Target Audience: Clinicians including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, assistive technologists, physicians, engineers, patients and families with lived experience with childhood acquired disabilities including cerebral palsy, policy makers, and educators.

Background and Summary: Use of technology is rapidly progressing within medicine and the field of rehabilitation. How can these powerful tools be best utilized and the power harnessed to improve precise assessment, diagnosis and facilitation of participation within the clinic and community? Our multi center, multidisciplinary clinicians will explore the use of AI, robotics and computer systems including brain computer interface using this lens.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain awareness of new and evolving use of technology in rehabilitation in clinic and community .
• Acquire new knowledge pertaining to clinical use and research in the fields of robotics, AI, AAC and BCI.
• Be aware of new AI based tools that capture content during visits in rehabilitation.
• Be introduced to evolving use of robotics in rehabilitation from feeding to moving. At home and at school.
• Participate in meaningful discussion regarding the direction of evolution of technology use in rehabilitation for individuals living with childhood acquired disabilities.

 

PC11: Exploring Identity AND Discovering Ability through Adapted Sports and Recreation

Speakers: Thomas E. Moran, Ph.D., CAPE, Gavin Colquitt, EdD, Jennifer Lyman, MS, Aura Aura. Shoval, MD, Dynai Eilig, MD, MBA

Purpose: The session will offer pre‑conference registrants and community forum participants the opportunity to:
1. Actively participate in the adapted sports and recreation activity alongside community members and athletes from a variety of local, regional, and national organizations; and/or
2. Attend mini presentations in which speakers and adapted sports and organization staff describe the sport or activity, the development of their organization, their implementation model, and the evidence‑based practices they use to maximize ability and access through sport.

Target Audience: Persons with lived experience and Caregivers, Physicians and Allied Health Professionals, Researchers

Background and Summary: Adapted sports and recreation provide critical contexts through which children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and other developmental disabilities can explore identity, develop competence, and recognize their abilities beyond disability‑focused narratives. Participation in adapted physical activity has been shown to support physical, social, and psychological development while fostering autonomy, self‑determination, and social connection across the lifespan. Qualitative research indicates that engagement in adapted sports and recreation functions as an “opportunity structure” that allows individuals to negotiate stigmatized identities, experience success, and develop a sense of normalcy and belonging. For youth with CP, inclusive and disability‑specific sport environments promote social identity development by facilitating peer connection, shared experience, and positive self‑comparison. Adults with CP similarly report that participation in disability sport contributes to the reconstruction of a “healthy self,” emphasizing ability, agency, and resilience rather than limitation. Moreover, peer‑group and community‑based adapted sports interventions are associated with increased confidence, enjoyment, and sustained participation, reinforcing identity development through repeated experiences of mastery and choice. Collectively, the literature underscores the power of adapted sports and recreation as vehicles for identity exploration and ability discovery, positioning sport as a meaningful pathway to empowerment, inclusion, and lifelong participation for children and adults with CP and other developmental disabilities.

Learning Objectives:

• Share a variety of adapted sports and recreation opportunities with the individuals and families they serve
• Explain how adapted sports and recreation support identity development, self‑determination, and ability recognition among children and adults with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities.
• Analyze how community‑based and peer‑group adapted sports models function as “opportunity structures” that challenge deficit‑based narratives and promote ability‑focused participation.
• Identify evidence‑based practices used in adapted sports and recreation programs that facilitate autonomy, mastery, and sustained engagement across the lifespan.
• Apply principles from adapted sports and recreation research to inform inclusive program design, instruction, or advocacy efforts within educational, clinical, or community settings.