Update on evidence-based Early Detection & Early Intervention for Infants at risk of Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental disability

Update on evidence-based Early Detection & Early Intervention for Infants at risk of Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental disability 

Sonoma County, CA - 21st September 2026   |   Dupont, DE - 24th September 2026

This workshop will be delivered by Professor Roslyn Boyd and Dr Carly Luke, both internationally recognised leaders in early detection and neurodevelopmental research.

About the workshop 

Early Detection with Dr Carly Luke

Dr Carly Luke will provide an update on the latest evidence in early detection, including the use of the General Movements Assessment (GMA), Motor Optimality Score–Revised (MOS-R), Baby OSCAR and the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE). Participants will explore how these assessment tools can be integrated into clinical practice to support early risk stratification, prognosis and intervention planning for infants at risk of neurodevelopmental difficulties.

This course emphasises the use of the HINE, GMA and MOS-R not only for early identification of CP, but also for early prediction of functional outcomes and CP distribution, supporting earlier prognostic discussions with families and targeted intervention planning. Through clinical examples and emerging evidence, participants will learn how combined assessment findings can be used to interpret infant developmental trajectories and identify broader non-CP neurodevelopmental disabilities and delays.

Early Intervention with Prof Roslyn Boyd

Professor Roslyn Boyd will present the latest evidence from three cerebral palsy specific early intervention programs: REACH for infants with unilateral CP, LEAP for infants with CP living in resource-diverse settings, and VISIBLE for infants with cerebral palsy and cerebral vision impairment. These recent randomised clinical trials have demonstrated evidence to improve outcomes (manual ability, motor, vision and parent mental health) and can begin from as early as 0-6 months of age, harnessing critical periods of neuroplasticity to optimise developmental outcomes.

Drawing on findings from these trials, participants will learn the key principles of effective early intervention, including goal-directed and task-specific practice, active infant engagement, family-centred care, parent coaching, and the integration of intervention into everyday routines. Prof Boyd will discuss how intervention can be individualised to an infant's specific presentation and developmental profile, and how clinicians can use information from early detection assessments to guide treatment planning and clinical decision-making.

This session will provide practical insights into translating early diagnosis and risk identification into meaningful action, equipping clinicians with contemporary evidence-based strategies to support infants at high risk of cerebral palsy and their families during the earliest and most influential stages of development.

A key theme is moving beyond diagnosis alone, using early assessment tools to inform functional trajectories, clinical decision-making, and meaningful early intervention.

Workshop Details

Workshop Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the role of evidence-based early detection tools, including the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE), General Movements Assessment (GMA), Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R), and BabyOSCAR, in the early identification of infants at high risk of cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, and in informing developmental trajectories, including CP-specific prognostic indicators, and future functional outcomes.
2. Understand the key principles of effective early intervention for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy, including family-centred care, goal-directed intervention, active infant participation, and interventions that leverage early neuroplasticity.
3. Understand the evidence and emerging principles arising from the REACH, LEAP, and VISIBLE early intervention studies, including how information from early detection assessments can be used to guide targeted early intervention and support improved outcomes for infants and their families.

Schedule - Sonoma County, CA (21st September 2026)

Schedule - Dupont, DE (24th September 2026)

Who should attend?

Any individual interested in or currently involved in clinical practice and research for early identification and provision of early intervention for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy (including Physiotherapists, Paediatricians, Child Neurologists, Occupational Therapists).  This training is suitable for any level and there are no pre-requisites.

Pricing

Catering will be provided. Registration limited to 30 participants per in-person course. 
Continuing Education Units (CEU) will be applied for state therapists, but not guaranteed. 

*All prices are charged in AUD. USD prices are provided as an estimate only, based on current exchange rates at the time of quoting.

Registration will close 14th of September.

Contact

Please direct any enquiries to qcprrc@uq.edu.au.