Taking a strengths-based approach to developmental disability: the F-words for child development

BMJ Paediatrics Open - Dr Olaf Kraus de Camargo

“When challenges exist, children and families may benefit from supports that are tailored to their individual strengths and support needs, irrespective of whether or not a child has one or more diagnosed condition(s).”

Strengths-based and client-centred approaches in t...

A shorter than usual episode about the future of the pod - 2026 and beyond. 

We will be continuing our support of the Oceania (formerly AusACPDM) conference, the EACD conference and the AACPDM conference in 2026 with in-person, on-site, live broadcasts from Australia, Europe and the Americas!

2025 has also seen the team behind the pod launch the ResearchWorks Academy - an entirely FREE online portal for clinicians and resea...

In 2024, a landmark review of the School Education Act 1999 was undertaken in Western Australia. Why? Because our education laws — drafted over 25 years ago — haven’t kept pace with modern understandings of disability, inclusion, or the rights of children and families.

This review, driven by an expert panel with deep experience in education, disability, and human rights, was driven by one clear question: Does our law suppo...

Early mobility and crawling: beliefs and practices of Pediatric Physical Therapists in the United States.

Kari S Kretch Stacey C Dusing, Regina T Harbourne, Lin-Ya Hsu, Barbara A Sargent, Sandra L Willett

• PMID: 38127897
• PMCID: PMC10873088
• DOI: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000001063

Abstract

Purpose: To characterize beliefs of pediatric physical therapists (PTs) in the United States regarding the role of crawling in infant d...

AACPDM special: Effects of Power Training combined with interval treadmill training on walking capacity versus performance in real world settings in youth with cerebral palsy.

This paper is a contender for the AACPDM’s highest abstract honour - the Gayle G Arnold Award - to be presented at The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) Conference - the 79th Annual Meeting!

“Celebrating...

Where’s the Evidence? Challenging Therapists to Stop Legitimizing Dynamic Movement Intervention and Cuevas Medek Exercises.

Paleg, Ginny PT, MPT, DScPT; Pool, Dayna PT, PhD; Hidalgo-Robles, Álvaro PT, MSc; Frumberg, David MD; Livingstone, Roslyn OT, MSc(RS); Damiano, Diane PT, PhD

Open Access!
https://journals.lww.com/pedpt/fulltext/9900/where_s_the_evidence__challenging_therapists_to.204.aspx

Dynamic Movement ...

Six-minute walk test reference values in ambulatory children with myelomeningocele

Karina A Zapata, Rosa H Cooksey, Daralyn K Fulton, Hayley B Shelton, Chan-Hee Jo, Richard C Adams

Affiliations Expand

• PMID: 40556501
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.16397

Abstract

Aim: To determine the baseline pediatric reference values of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance (6MWD) across spina bifida functional lesion levels, t...

Trajectories of Fidgety Movements in Infants with and without medical complexity.

This paper is a finalist for AACPDM’s highest honour - the Gayle G Arnold award, chosen and highlighted by the scientific review committee for it’s high quality.

We look ahead at The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) Conference - the 79th Annual Meeting!

“Celebrating Resilience” October ...

Continuing our AACPDM 2025 Preview series!

Effect of high-frequency, low magnitude vibration on physical activity and physical function in children with cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial

This paper is a contender for the AACPDM’s highest abstract honour - the Gayle G Arnold Award!

There is still time to register for the conference in beautiful New Orleans - Visit https://www.aacpdm.org/events/2025 for all the det...

The effect of immediate weightbearing after planovalgus foot reconstruction in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy

Background and Objective(s)

Planovalgus (PV) is a common foot deformity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Orthopedic surgery is widely established as an effective treatment for deformity correction though there is clinical variation in post-op therapy protocols. Immediate weightbearing (WB) after PV foot cor...

Mobility device use in children with cerebral palsy

Elizabeth Maus, Ben Reader, Jill C Heathcock

Abstract

Aims: To quantify the number and types of mobility devices used by children with cerebral palsy (CP) and explore the relationships between Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) level, age, insurance, income, and number and types of devices.

Method: This was a secondary analysis of a cohor...

Brain lesion extent, growth, and body composition in children with cerebral palsy

Stina Oftedal, Simona Fiori, Kristie L Bell, Katherine A Benfer, Leanne Sakzewski, Robert S Ware, Peter S W Davies, Roslyn N Boyd

• PMID: 40745624
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.16427

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the relationship between growth, body composition, and the extent of brain lesion measured using structural magnetic reson...

Our preview of the upcoming AACPDM Conference in New Orleans USA.

We look ahead at The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) Conference - the 79th Annual Meeting!

“Celebrating Resilience” October 15-18, 2025, to be held in New Orleans, LA. 

We catch up with AACPDM First Vice President Dr Theresa Sukal-Moulton and Scientific Program Committee Co-Chair Dr Paige Church.

You c...

Our annual wrap-up and summary of the combined EACD / IAACD 2025 Conference, live from Heidelberg Germany!

Be sure to catch up on our entire EACD / IAACD 2025 conference series, both audio and video casts!

For information on the ResearchWorks Academy, be sure to visit the academy website (www.researchworks.academy), register for FREE for the discussion forum and check out all the tools, apps, AI powered search and chat feat...