Early Detection and Intervention for Young Children with or at Risk for Cerebral Palsy

This course will cover early detection guidelines for cerebral palsy, clinical practice guidelines for young children (0-2 years) with cerebral palsy or high risk for cerebral palsy, and interventions for young children with cerebral palsy. Topics discussed will be grounded in an integrated ecological model and motor learning principles. The impacts of motor development on other domains of development, “On-Time” mobility, and the therapeutic use of play to create developmental cascades will be discussed. This course will be beneficial for occupational and physical therapists who are working with young children who are at risk for cerebral palsy or have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Following this course, participants will be able to:

1. List 2 risk factors for cerebral palsy.
2. Identify at least 2 components of contemporary early detection guidelines for cerebral palsy.
3. Explain 2 reasons why early detection is important through a neurodevelopmental lens.
4. Describe 3 key components of interventions for young children with or at risk for cerebral palsy.
5. Apply on-time mobility principles, motor learning principles, and therapeutic play to a case.