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.

Rehab for Kids conference

The Rehab for Kids conference is a national conference organised by the Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service (QPRS), Queensland Children’s Hospital, to provide the latest information and research relevant to paediatric rehabilitation.

Dedicated streams with a variety of presentation types, including key note addresses, short workshops and research papers, will provide you with opportunities to update knowledge and network with colleagues involved in the rehabilitation of children with brain injuries, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, limb difference, spina bifida and other low incidence conditions.

Who can benefit from attending?

• Health professionals
• Other professionals who work with children who have received rehabilitation
• Parents/carers of children who have received rehabilitation
• Students
• Researchers

Parents/carers of children who have received rehabilitation are invited to register and attend this conference. We value our parents and carers participation and would like to offer the opportunity to attend the conference at a reduced cost. Families are also invited to attend a parent/carer networking session at no cost. Some conference content may be limited to health professionals where applicable.

Pre-conference workshops (Wed 6th)

• AusACPDM Practice Update – Holistic classification in cerebral palsy  (Note: Discounted rate of $100 for AusACPDM Members, $130 Non Members) 

• Practical workshop on the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Assessment: $50

• Champion your child: How to be the voice your child needs in a complex system: Free

• Spotlight on concussion rehabilitation: $100

Full Programme (Thur 7th, Fri 8th)

• Rehab for Kids programme

NOTE: The AusACPDM AGM will take place on Thursday the 7^th March at ~1.10pm (AEST) during the lunch break (Queensland Children’s Hospital Level 7 seminar rooms 3/4.) Video conference links will be made available for the AGM. (more…)

Date: 6 March - 8 March

Location: Queensland Children’s Hospital

General Movements Training- 1 day Refresher Course

Prechtl’s Method of the Qualitative Assessment of General Movements Training

The Refresher Course will provide a 1-day additional intensive training in correct judgement. This training will deal with the details of the assessment, the proper terminology and technique as well as with the application of individual developmental trajectories. Participants should bring one case study.

Who should attend?

To attend the 1-day Refresher Course, participants must have attended and passed the Basic or Advanced GMs course.

Date: 1 March - 1 March

Location: Cairns (TBC)

Prechtl’s General Movements – Basic, Advanced, and Refresher Courses, QLD, Australia, 2020 

Did you know you can detect children at high risk of cerebral palsy in the first few months of life?

The Basic 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.

The Advanced Course will provide an additional intensive training in correct judgement. This training will deal with the details of the assessment, the proper terminology and technique as well as with the application of individual developmental trajectories.

Who should attend?

Medical specialists, neonatologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, registered nurses and other professionals in the field of infant neurology. Participation in the Advanced Course is possible only for individuals who successfully passed a Basic Training Course held under the auspices of the GM-Trust. The courses fulfil the standards specified by the GM-Trust (www.general-movements-trust.info).

Date: 25 February - 4 March

Location: The University Of Queensland, St Lucia

Generation Physio – Queensland Paediatric Physiotherapy Clinical Network 2019 Conference

The Queensland Paediatric Physiotherapy Clinical Network (QPPCN) is excited to invite all physiotherapists to attend our 2019 conference-‘Generation Physio’.

‘Generation Physio’ will showcase innovations in physiotherapy management for our youngest generations – Gen Z and Generation Alpha.

Join us to look at the past, present and future priorities for paediatric physiotherapy

With keynote Speakers:

Dr Kellie Stockton, Dr Craig McBride and A/Prof Alicia Spittle

Costs:

$80 Early Bird (closing 19th Dec 2018)
$90 Regular (closing 23rd Feb 2019)

Accepting abstract submissions

Presentation types: Oral presentations, poster display, case studies.

Abstract submissions close: 21st December 2018

Submit all abstracts via QPPCN@health.qld.gov.au

Date: 9 March - 9 March

Location: Queensland Children's Hospital