Implementing Evidence-informed Interventions for Young Children with Cerebral Palsy at High Risk to Be Non-ambulant

PTs and PTAs have been increasingly encouraged to promote participation for all children. Participating (including involvement and attendance) in relevant life activities is a right that is often denied to young children with cerebral palsy (CP) who are non-ambulant and their families. The study team consisted of professionals with expertise in CP from Brazil, Spain, and USA and included a sibling of two brothers with CP. In this session, we will describe the ingredients of early interventions provided to children with CP from 0 to 5 years of age that function at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) IV and V. The recommendations are based on the results of a recently completed scoping review that mapped interventions across all ICF domains and sorted them by the "f-words" (not yet published). We will share case stories illustrating the implementation of evidence-informed strategies specific to this group of children. The examples will emphasize promoting participation for children living in low-and middle resource areas. The lived experience of a family member will further illustrate what these ingredients can look like from the perspective of a sibling who is also an OT student. This session is appropriate for all PTs and PTAs who work in early intervention (private practices, schools and other settings) with children 0-5 years. Attending this section will support the delivery of evidence-informed practices to the group of children who are most likely to receive the least amount of evidence-based interventions.