Early Detection & Intervention
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is committed to creating a high standard for education and training as an element of our early detection & intervention network. We consistently provide opportunities for providers across disciplines to expand their knowledge base, gaining competency and confidence. We are committed to delivering the highest caliber of educational and training courses.
8th Annual Early CP Health Summit
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
The 2026 Health Summit will share new pathways for translating knowledge into practice for the Implementation of early detection and intervention of cerebral palsy from the best researchers and clinicians in the field.
Cerebral Palsy Foundation Education & Training Programs
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Basic Early Detection E-Course
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HINE Training
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GMA Training
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Early Intervention Training Courses
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Early Cerebral Palsy Health Summit
The Basic Early Detection E-course is a virtual, asynchronous course that provides clinicians with evidence-based tools to recognize early signs of cerebral palsy, promote timely diagnosis, and support families in their diagnostic journey. Each presentation aims to provide basic information that includes core knowledge of cerebral palsy, an introduction to early detection, the early detection pathway, conversation with families and implementation tools. This course is 6-hours of practical workshops that introduce early detection tools and assessments, and provides case examples to help the clinician translate knowledge into practice. The course will provide handouts, with an evidence table and references for each participant. A knowledge quiz will be required at the end of the course with a certificate of completion provided.
This course is highly recommended prior to attending the CPF Early Cerebral Palsy Health Summit for those who have not attended in the past. It is open to all, but targeted to pediatric providers who want to improve outcomes for high risk infants through early cerebral palsy diagnosis and intervention in a multidisciplinary setting including: Pediatricians, Family Practitioners, Neonatologists, Neurologists, OTs, PTs. Business Managers, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Researchers and Trainees.
Workshops
Introduction to Early Detection for Cerebral Palsy presented by Rachel Byrne, Dr. Nathalie Maitre
The Basics of Cerebral Palsy presented by Dr. Nathalie Maitre
High-Risk for Cerebral Palsy and Clinical Decision-Making presented by Dr. Faith Kim, Dr. Andrea Duncan
Neuroimaging in Cerebral Palsy presented by Dr. Joanna Burton, Dr. Betsy Ostrander
Genetics in Cerebral Palsy presented by Dr. Betsy Ostrander, Dr. Darcy Fehlings
Standardized Neurological Exams to Inform Early Detection for Cerebral Palsy presented by Dr. Joanna Burton, Dr. Betsy Ostrander
Standardized Motor Assessments to Inform Early Detection for Cerebral Palsy presented by Dr. Barbara Sargent, Lynn Boswell
Challenging Conversations with Families presented by Dr. Nathalie Maitre, Dr. Mary Lauren Neel
Implementation Tools to Rapidly Improve your Early Cerebral Palsy Practice presented by Dr. Nathalie Maitre, Rachel Byrne
The Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE), has been proposed as one of the early neurological examination tools for the diagnosis of CP. It is a simple and scorable method designed for evaluating infants between 2 months and 24 months of age. It includes 26 items that assess different aspects of neurological examinations such as cranial nerves, posture, movements, tone, and reflexes. The pro forma provides instructions for performing the individual items and diagrams to aid recording. The HINE is easily performed and accessible to all clinicians; it can be completed in 5 to 10 minutes. A good interobserver reliability has been reported, even in inexperienced staff.
The International Clinical Practice Guideline for the Early Accurate Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy recommends the use of the HINE, particularly in situations where the most predictive tools general movements and MRI) are not able to be used. This training course will provide standardized training and all items in the HINE will be presented with the correct approach to administration and scoring. Infants aged between 6-24 months will be used to train the participants in small groups in accurate scoring of the HINE. This training course is 4-hours long, including lecture, hands-on practical sessions, and Q&A discussions.
We have over 20 trainers who have trained over 2000 clinicians in the U.S. and around the world. If you are interested in holding a HINE training at your facility please contact kandace.poindexter@yourcpf.org
Upcoming
May 27, 2026 – Chicago, IL
June 8, 2026 – Albuquerque, NM
August 16, 2026 – Columbia University, New York, NY
September 26, 2026 – Philadelphia, PA
Recently Completed
2026
January 30, 2026 – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, GA
February 7, 2026 – Emory University, Atlanta, GA
February 28, 2026 – Renown Health, Reno, NV
March 14, 2026 – Early Detection in Early Intervention Conference, Palos Hills, IL
March 26, 2026 – University of Mississippi, Jackson, MS
March 27, 2026 – University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
April 3, 2026 – ChildServe, Des Moines, IA
April 17, 2026 – UK Galisano Children’s Hospital, Lexington, KY
April 17, 2026 – Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
April 20, 2026 – Grant Wood Area Education Agency, Coralville, IA
May 7, 2026 – Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
2025
January 10, 2025 – UCP of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
January 30-31, 2025 – Nemours Children’s Hospital, Wilmington, DE
February 28, 2025 – Bethany Children’s Hospital, Bethany, OK
March 8, 2025 – 10th Annual Congress of the Mexican Academy of CP and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Monterrey, Mexico
March 22, 2025 – Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
March 26, 2025 – Little Feet Therapy, Washington DC
March 29, 2025 – Unlimited Possibilities, Santa Ana, CA
April 4, 2025 – UCP of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
May 7, 2025 – University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis, MN
June 13, 2025 – Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
September 5, 2025 – Early Cerebral Palsy Health Summit, Atlanta, GA
October 12, 2025 – Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
October 28, 2025 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
November 7, 2025 – Baltimore City Schools, Baltimore, MD
October 29, 2025 – Salt Lake City, UT
December 15, 2025 – Hackensack, NJ
Prechtl’s General Movement Assessment: Basic and Advanced Courses Research conducted in the last 20 years has shown that the qualitative assessment of spontaneous movement in the fetus, newborn, and young infant is an early and reliable indicator for diagnosis and prognosis of neurological disorders. Compelling evidence is now available that qualitative assessment of General Movements (GMs)—a specific type of spontaneous movement—under the age of five months is the best predictor of cerebral palsy. These courses fulfill the standards specified by the Generalized Movement Trust. (www.general-movements-trust.info)
These 3.5 day courses consist of lessons, demonstrations, and discussion of video-recordings. Lectures will alternate with exercises in small groups with videos prepared by the tutors. At the end of the course participants will be required to take a final test in order to receive a certificate of reliability in this method of assessment. Participants for the advanced course must have completed the basic training course prior to attending the advanced course. Advanced course participants will learn more detailed scoring
systems and will have the opportunity to review their own recordings with the tutor.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the participants will be able to:
Basic Course:
- 1. Assess typically developing infants using the Qualitative Assessment of General Movements
- 2. Assess infants with brain lesions using the Qualitative Assessment of General Movements
- 3. Describe how to incorporate the Qualitative Assessment of General Movements technique into their clinical and research practices
4. Distinguish between typical and atypical general movements in developing infants using the Qualitative Assessment of General Movements
Advanced Course:
- 1. Discuss their own diagnoses of developing infants using infant movement assessment illustrated with their own recordings
- 2. Assess the components of general movements including speed, amplitude, intensity, and rotations during the preterm and term age
- 3. Evaluate the individual trajectory of developing infants using the assessment of components of general movements
4. Assess fidgety movements and the concurrent motor repertoire (movements and postures) in 3-5 month old infants
Upper Limb Intervention Therapy in Practice Course
(Multi-Sensory, Constraint Induced Movement & Bimanual Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy 3 months to 3 years)
This workshop will allow participants to learn to apply and practice best evidence protocols for bimanual and multimodal interventions that have been demonstrated to improve arm and hand function specifically for children with CP.
Participants will be trained in the science of the disorder and the mechanisms of the interventions, assessments to evaluate which protocol to use, delivery models, intervention exercises, the use of parent lesson plans and fidelity checks and self-monitoring. Workshops includes video and live demonstrations, skills checks, practice and self-assessments. Included in the course are manuals, a set of intervention materials and handouts.
- Objectives:
- 1. Learn and compare best-evidence upper extremity protocols for children 0-3 with and at high risk of cerebral palsy
- 2. Learn or refresh learning about the science of cerebral palsy and the mechanisms of the interventions used in selected protocols
- 3. Identify and discuss assessments used to help determine appropriate protocols
- 4. Learn to use a parent-led intervention plan, including applying therapist as a coach models, parent lesson plans, fidelity checks and self-monitoring
- 5. Practice applying protocols and discuss plan to implement protocols into practice
Join Us for the 8th Annual Early Cerebral Palsy Health Summit!
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation invites you to be part of a transformative learning experience focused on advancing early detection and intervention for cerebral palsy.
The 2026 Health Summit features a flexible hybrid format, offering:
– In-person implementation workshops
– Hands-on training courses (BabyOSCAR, HINE, HNNE, Upper Limb Intervention Training, and Basic and Advanced GMA)
– Virtual e-courses for remote participation
Who should attend:
Pediatric providers who want to improve outcomes for high risk infants through early cerebral palsy diagnosis and intervention in a multidisciplinary setting including: Pediatricians, Family Practitioners, Neonatologists, Neurologists, OTs, PTs. Business Managers, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Researchers and Trainees.
Objectives:
1. To disseminate best evidence on new developments in early detection and interventions for Cerebral Palsy. Including: applied and translational sciences, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and technology.
2. Increase awareness and learn implementation strategies for new and emerging treatments for individuals with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities.
3. Identify new modalities for the diagnosis of cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities.
4. Increase interprofessional collaboration and developing clinic-based frameworks to help coordinate and improve services across the continuum of care for individuals with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities across the lifespan.