This week, members from our neurology research team are in Anaheim, California attending the combined 73rd American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) and 2nd International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability (IAACD) meeting. This four-day conference welcomes health care professionals from across the world to discuss the latest innovations dedicated to advancing the care of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities. 

As an institution committed to caring for complex neurological conditions, the team conducts ongoing research to provide the most innovative treatment to this patient population. As one of the many international meetings the Neurology research team attends, the AACPDM is an opportunity to showcase highly regarded research projects to other leaders in the field. Each year, Scottish Rite Hospital has a strong showing. With over 280 scientific posters selected, five projects from the neurology research team are being presented as well as two projects from the orthopedic/therapy services and movement science teams. Below is the research:    

• Identification of Common Bimanual Performance Goals of Children Participating in Constraint Induced Movement Therapy in a Group Setting
• Cerebral Palsy Camp: Psychosocial and Quality of Life Outcomes
• How different are Ambulatory Patients with Early-onset Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis and Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy?
• Botulinum Toxin and Casting May Delay or Prevent Surgery in Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
• The Observational Gait Scale is Highly Associated with the Gross Motor Function Classification System in Children with Cerebral Palsy
• StepWatch Activity Monitor and Actigraph use in Wheelchair Athletes 
• Does Function Improve After Hip Surgery in Children with Cerebral Palsy?
• Cultural Variations in the Implementation of Pediatric Constraint-Induced Therapy in Developing Countries

Former medical director of the department Mauricio Delgado, M.D., has an active role in the organization and was inducted as the President of AACPDM during the opening ceremony. Through his commitment, other staff have an impact within the group, including members from our Orthopedic, Neurology, Pediatric Developmental Disabilities, Therapy Services, Research and Movement Science departments. 

Medical Director of Pediatric Developmental Pediatrics (PDD) Richard Adams, M.D., and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Lane Wimberly, M.D., are also presenting information. Staff physician in PDD Veronica Meneses, M.D., is leading a workshop on transition planning for youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Our newest member of the Neurology and Rehabilitation department, Fabiola I. Reyes, M.D., is in attendance and will be the new provider at the hospital for the specialty clinic caring for children with childhood motor disorders.

Learn more about the hospital’s Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine department.