2019 Prechtl’s Method of the Qualitative Assessment of General Movements- Basic Course

This three and a half day course provides an introduction into Prechtl’s Method on the Qualitative Assessment of General Movements in young infants. This new assessment method has shown its merit for the prenatal and postnatal evaluation of the integrity of the nervous system. Compelling evidence is now available that qualitative assessment of General Movements (GMs) at a very early age is the best predictor for cerebral palsy. This method has become a potent supplement to the traditional kind of neurological examination.

Who should attend? Medical specialists, neonatologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, registered nurses, and other professionals in the field of infant neurology

Date: 4 December - 7 December

Location: Marion Davis Lecture Hall, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand

Pathways and Resources for Engagement and Participation (PREP), 2019

The PREP approach is a new evidence-based intervention that aims to improve participation in any type of chosen activity. The intervention focuses on changing aspects of the child or youth’s environment and by coaching parents and other individuals involved in the young person’s everyday activities. PREP is applicable for children, youth and adults across various conditions and abilities. In this half-day workshop core elements of the 5 steps of the PREP will be introduced, as well as effective intervention strategies for improving participation will be demonstrated through ‘real life’ scenarios. A range of resources and tools to support the implementation of the PREP in practice will also be shared. Finally, evidence supporting the effectiveness of the PREP in improving participation will be outlined and its applicability to children and youth with various conditions (physical disabilities, acquired brain injury, younger children with a history of pre-term birth) will be discussed.

The workshop will be lead by Associate Professor Dana Anaby from the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University with substantial research experience in childhood-onset disability. Dana is the primary co-developer of the PREP approach and has led the examination of this intervention among children and youth with disabilities in Canada.

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Date: 12 October - 12 October

Location: The Australian Catholic University, Melbourne Campus, Room 403.7.02

2019 AusCP-CTN Hot Topics in Cerebral Palsy Research Forum

The AusCP-CTN CRE aims to foster and develop current and future leaders in cerebral palsy research and clinical practice. Our vision for the future workforce for children with cerebral palsy is national capacity building comprising individuals with expertise in more than one key area of research and/or training (basic science / neuroscience, epidemiology, clinical/health services initiatives, and translation / implementation).

Hosted at the Monash Health Translation Precinct, Clayton, Melbourne, AusCP-CTN invites you to join us at the “Hot Topics in Cerebral Palsy Research Forum – Monday 21 – Tuesday 22 October 2019” to hear some of the work being done to improve early diagnosis and intervention for children with, or at risk of, cerebral palsy.

Day 1:   Monday, 21 October

• Early Detection and Neuroimaging in CP:  Dr Jurgen Fripp (CSIRO), Dr Alex Pagnozzi (CSIRO), Dr Christian Redd (CSIRO)
• Pre-Clinical and Neonatal Clinical Trials:  Prof. Euan Wallace (Monash University), A/Prof. Michael Fahey (Monash Children’s Hospital), Dr Atul Malhotra (Monash Children’s Hospital), Dr Courtney McDonald (Hudson Institute of Medical Research), Yana Wilson (Cerebral Palsy Alliance), Dr Stacey Ellery (Hudson Institute of Medical Research)
• Higher Degree by Research 3-Minute Thesis:  Research students from Monash University showcasing their scientific findings.
• Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) Training:  details TBA.

Day 2:   Tuesday, 22 October

• Clinical Trials:  Prof. Roslyn Boyd (The University of Queensland), Prof. Yannick Bleyenheuft (Université Catholique de Louvain), Prof. Iona Novak (Cerebral Palsy Alliance), Dr Sarah McIntyre (Cerebral Palsy Alliance)
• Early Detection:  A/Prof. Alicia Spittle (The University of Melbourne), Prof. Arie Bos (University Medical Centre of Groningen)
• Infant Clinical Trials:  Prof. Roslyn Boyd (The University of Queensland), Dr Cathy Morgan (Cerebral Palsy Alliance), Dr Katherine Benfer (The University of Queensland), Dr Leanne Sakzewski (The University of Queensland), Dr Koa Whittingham (The University of Queensland)
• Child Clinical Trials:  Dr Leanne Sakzewski (The University of Queensland), Prof. Bernard Dan (Université libtre de Bruxelles)

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Date: 21 October - 22 October

Location: Monash Health Translation Precinct, 45 Kanooka Grove, Clayton VIC 3168

Understanding Normal Movement for Paediatric Therapists

This two-day course is designed to introduce participants to the concept of movement analysis in the assessment and treatment of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Participants will be able to describe key components relating to the analysis of postures and movement sequences and learn how to facilitate movement with the opportunity to practice handling skills.

It is a practical course with the focus on therapists developing their skills of observation of posture and movement, with the practice of facilitation of normal movement.

Date: 24 May - 25 May

Location: Geelong, Victoria (TBC)

Making a Difference – CRE-CP symposium

Early bird registrations are now open for the CRE-CP: Making a Difference Symposium in Melbourne this April. This event includes three exciting workshops, a community forum and a full-day meeting. Please note that workshop spaces are limited, so get in quick and take advantage of the excellent early bird discounts.

The two-day Symposium is aimed at Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Paediatricians, Neurologists and Neurosurgeons, Rehabilitation Physicians, Psychologists, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Disability Support Workers, Child Health Nurses, Special Educators, Researchers, and other professionals involved in the care of people with cerebral palsy. The technology forum on Thursday 4^th April is aimed at people with cerebral palsy and their families, technology developers and health professionals and support workers involved in the care of people with cerebral palsy.

Early Bird Registration – book before 22 February and save 20%:

• $180 general rate, $150 AusACPDM members (both days)
• $70 general rate for workshops 1, 2 or 3

Date: 4 April - 5 April

Location: Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Hand Assessments in Infants (HAI) Training

Hosted by the Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation & Research Centre (QCPRRC), the Hand Assessments for Infants (HAI) training will be held in Brisbane on the 4^th – 5^th March 2019.

The HAI, a new assessment of hand function, has been developed for infants at risk of developing cerebral palsy (CP) in the age range of 3-12 months. The HAI intends to measure the degree and quality of goal directed actions performed with each hand separately as well as with both hands together. The outcome of the test renders a separate score for each hand, illustrating possible asymmetric hand use as well a criterion referenced measure of general upper limb ability. Age norm references will be available. As a first step, the HAI has been validated for infants with clinical signs of unilateral cerebral palsy. The HAI is scored on 17 items (12 unimanual and 5 bimanual) each scored on a 3-point rating scale.

This course teaches the reliable use of the HAI in two steps:

(1) A two day workshop where participants will learn about the constructs underlying the HAI, test procedures, test objects used, and scoring of infants from video recordings. A HAI manual with detailed scoring criteria and a computer based scoring form will be provided.

(2) Following the course, participants will be able to create their own test kit according to instructions given during the course. Feedback on the selected toys will be provided during the certification procedure. Additionally participants will be required to achieve satisfactory scoring of test cases; two which are provided by videos, and two from self-produced HAI play sessions.

Course objectives

On completion of the course participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate how to select appropriate toys for a HAI play session
• Demonstrate the set-up and video-recording of the session and how toys are used to provoke active hand use in infants
• Produce reliable scores according to the criteria in the manual
• Understand the constructs upon which the HAI is based and describe early psychometric evidence
• Interpret and communicate outcomes from the testing procedures

Who should attend:

Paediatric occupational therapists and physiotherapists who provide assessment and intervention to babies aged 3 – 12 months of age who are at risk of cerebral palsy.

Date: 4 March - 5 March

Location: Queensland Centre for Children’s Health Research, Brisbane.