Arbeit.inklusiv is an innovative three-year pilot project designed to build sustainable, person-centred pathways from protected settings into the primary labour market for young adults with disabilities. Addressing the limited permeability of traditional workshops and day structures, the project introduces a structured transition model combining activation, supported employment, and long-term integration in real working environments. The programme is implemented across three phases. The Preparation Phase (3–6 months) focuses on psychosocial stabilisation, case management, skills development, and practical orientation within a dedicated transition facility. Participants receive diagnostic clarification, social-work support, and targeted competence-building through modular workshops and trial work sessions tailored to individual strengths. In the Integrated Employment Phase, participants are formally employed by ITA GmbH and work in Inclusive Work Units embedded in partner companies including IKEA , UNO City GmbH, and SDPRO GmbH. These Inclusive Work Units provide small-scale, supported teams where participants work alongside trained mentors who offer structured guidance, adaptation of tasks, and daily stabilisation to ensure safe, productive engagement in real economic settings.
The Transition Phase prepares participants for long-term employment—ideally within the company where the Inclusive Work Unit was implemented. This includes ongoing coaching, gradual reduction of support, coordination with labour-market services, and structured referral to external assistance such as job coaching or Arbeitsassistenz.
Arbeit.inklusiv strengthens companies’ capacity for inclusive employment through workplace adaptation, staff training, and financial incentives. It offers a scalable model demonstrating how structured support, real work experience, and strategic partnerships can create lasting employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Introduction: Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) demonstrate impaired motor planning and performance. Motor imagery, the ability to create a sensory representation of movement without moving, is commonly assessed via mental rotation tasks like the Hand Laterality Task (HLT). However, evidence regarding performance of HLT in children with CP is inconclusive and HLT scoring HLT varies across studies.
Objective: To examine motor imagery performance in children with CP compared to typically-developing (TD) children, and develop a composite motor imagery score to differentiate between the groups.
Methods: 37 participants (17 CP, 20 TD, age 10-20y) completed the HLT, judging hand laterality at various rotation angles. Mixed-effects models were used to compare HLT outcomes (reaction time [RT] and accuracy) across groups. A composite score was developed, and logistic regression models were applied to differentiate between the groups. Model performance was evaluated using internal validation with 100 random 70/30 train-test partitions. Classification metrics (area under the curve [AUC], accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, F1-score) were averaged across iterations.
Results: Children with CP exhibited lower accuracy (p=0.002) and higher RT variability (p<.001) than TD children, with no differences in RT (p=0.46). A composite score combining accuracy and RT variability achieved the best between-group separation. Across 100 random splits the model demonstrated AUC=0.89±0.09, accuracy=81%±11%, sensitivity=81%±19, specificity=84%±18).
Conclusions: The composite score identified RT variability as a distinguishing feature for motor imagery performance in children with CP, consolidating previous literature. Further research using the composite motor imagery score can assist in developing targeted rehabilitation strategies for children with CP.

Introduction:The medial gastrocnemius (MG) of children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) is characterized by increased tissue stiffness and reduced muscle size and intrinsic quality compared to typically developing (TD) children. However, the relationships between these muscle properties remain unclear. This study used muscle imaging to compare stiffness, size, and quality between groups, and explored how stiffness relates to muscle size and quality.

Participants and methods:Twenty-two children with SCP (median age 8.6±4.0 years; GMFCS I/II/III:12/5/5) and 18 TD children (median age 10.7±4.1 years) were included. Passive stiffness (shear modulus (SM), kPa) of the mid-MG muscle belly was measured using shear wave elastography at neutral ankle position. Three-dimensional freehand ultrasound quantified MG size and quality, including normalized muscle volume (nMV, ml/m*kg), belly length (nML, mm/m), cross-sectional area (nCSA, mm²/kg), and echo-intensity (EI, gray-scale; indicator of intrinsic quality). Group differences were tested using the Mann–Whitney U test, and associations were assessed using Spearman’s rho (ρ).

Results:Children with SCP showed higher muscle stiffness and reduced muscle size and quality compared to TD children (SM:p<0.001, nMV:p<0.001, nCSA:p=0.008, nML:p<0.001, EI:p=0.040). In children with SCP, SM was weakly associated with nML (ρ=-0.462,p=0.046). In TD children, SM correlated weakly with EI (ρ=0.476,p=0.030).

Conclusion:This study confirmed increased MG stiffness and reduced muscle size and quality in children with SCP. The weak correlations between stiffness and either muscle length or quality suggest partially shared underlying mechanisms, but also indicate that passive stiffness is influenced by additional factors. These findings highlight the multifactorial nature of muscle stiffness in SCP and TD.

Introduction
Automated ICF coding using large language models (LLMs) remains an unexplored approach in childhood disability research. This study investigates whether an LLM can reliably interpret parental descriptions of children's functioning by examining hallucination patterns in AI-generated ICF codes in a Swedish pediatric cohort.
Participants and Methods
We applied Gemini 2.5 to automatically code parental free-text responses from 108 Swedish children and adolescents with disabilities (ages 5-18 years) across 20 standardized questions describing functional limitations and participation barriers. Prompts explicitly instructed the model to use only official Swedish ICF codes. Hallucinations were conservatively defined as structurally invalid codes and identified through cross-referencing with the validated Swedish ICF codebook.
Results
Of 3,821 total AI-generated code instances, 184 (4.8%) were hallucinations across 18 unique invalid codes, while 3,637 (95.2%) were structurally valid codes. Under-specifications (codes truncated at chapter level) comprised 72% of hallucinations, while over-specifications (valid codes extended with additional digits) comprised 28%. Activities and Participation codes (d-codes) were most susceptible to errors, accounting for 61% of invalid outputs. Hallucination frequency varied substantially across questions, ranging from 0 to 26 per question.
Conclusion
AI-generated hallucinations were uncommon but followed systematic patterns, with under-specification errors predominating and d-codes showing highest vulnerability. Question characteristics appear to influence hallucination risk. This study used a conservative technical definition and did not evaluate semantic appropriateness of valid codes. Until AI decision-making becomes interpretable, robust validation frameworks combining automated verification and clinical expertise remain essential for ICF-based pediatric rehabilitation research.

Introduction:
Children and young people with autism, intellectual and/or physical disabilities participate less in physical activity than their peers, which negatively affects health and wellbeing. Sleep difficulties are also common and may be alleviated through increased physical activity. Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP) is a person-centred and evidence-based intervention shown to increase participation in physical activity. This research project aims to promote participation in physical activity and improve sleep routines among children and youth with disabilities by deepening knowledge about current practices and testing the feasibility of a person-centred intervention involving PAP.

Participants and Methods:
The study employs a mixed methods design across four sub-studies. (1) A national web-based survey will map knowledge, attitudes, and use of PAP, as well as perceptions of sleep and physical activity among professionals in schools and habilitation services. (2) Semi-structured interviews with children and youth aged 6–24 years will explore experiences of participation in physical activity, sleep, and rest. (3) Professionals within schools, habilitation, and student health services will be interviewed individually or in focus groups regarding their experiences promoting physical activity and healthy sleep. (4) A feasibility study will test a person-centred PAP-based intervention, including staff training and follow-up, to enhance participation and improve sleep routines. Quantitative data will be analysed descriptively and inferentially, and qualitative data by thematic analysis.
This research project addresses a clear knowledge gap and will generate new knowledge on how to support participation in physical activity and healthy sleep routines among children and youth with disabilities.

Objective: Epidemiological data on cerebral palsy (CP) remain scarce across Latin America. The LATAM-CPR was launched in 2023 as part of the Global Registry of CP in LMCs (GLMCPR). This study presents preliminary LATAM-CPR results on motor characteristics and age at CP diagnosis in participating LMCs.
Participants and Methods: The LATAM-CPR project uses institutional and population surveillance to register individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) in participating registries. Registries in Argentina (2021), Brazil (2024), Colombia (2024), and Mexico (2023) contribute data. From October 2021 to September 2025, 1934 individuals with confirmed CP (n=1667 aged 0–18 years, n=1002 male) were registered. Essential variables were collected using validated forms. Descriptive and chi-square analyses were performed (p=0.05).
Results: Of 1934 individuals with CP, 526 (27.2%) were from Argentina, 1098 (56.8%) Brazil, 154 (8.0%) Colombia, and 156 (8.1%) Mexico; 1224 (63.3%) were under 10 years. Spastic CP predominated: Argentina 469 (89.2%), Brazil 801 (73.0%), Colombia 126 (81.8%), Mexico 101 (64.7%). Most cases were bilateral: Argentina 375 (80.0%), Brazil 644 (80.4%), Colombia 94 (74.6%), Mexico 122 (78.2%). Mobility limitations (GMFCS III–V) affected 7/10 children: Argentina 406 (77.2%), Brazil 754 (68.7%), Colombia 109 (70.8%), Mexico 112 (71.8%). Early diagnosis (<6 months) was 33.1% overall, varying by country (p=0.02).
Conclusion: Preliminary LATAM-CPR data indicate early diagnosis is common in individuals with CP attending rehabilitation institutions and with severe motor impairment

Introduction
Multi-level surgery (MLS) can improve motor function and gait in youth with cerebral palsy (CP) though muscle strength and motor abilities decline in the early post-op phase. Physical therapy (PT) is recommended to help children regain strength and function. In outpatient settings, high-intensity doses of PT (≥ 3x/week) can improve motor function during early recovery. The benefits of high-intensity outpatient PT (HIO-PT) are not well-described. We examined referral trends and outcomes for youth who participated in postoperative HIO-PT compared to those who did not.
Participants and Methods: This IRB-approved retrospective study examined youth with spastic CP, MLS, age 4-21, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-IV, and gait analyses. Outcome measures included the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), Gross Motor Function Measure Dimension-D (GMFM-D), gait velocity, and gait deviation index (GDI). Independent and paired T-tests and Fisher’s exact tests examined demographics and outcomes.
Results: The HIO-PT group (n = 58) group was older, had more osteotomies, lived closer, and included more youth at GMFCS III compared to a non-HIO-PT group (n = 233) (p < 0.01). Matched HIO-PT and non-HIO-PT groups showed significant one-year improvements in GDI (p < 0.01), and unchanged GMFM-D and gait speed, with no significant differences between-groups.

Conclusion:
Older youth with greater motor impairments and more surgical procedures were more likely to receive HIO-PT. Though not measured, we suspect this group had more severe acute decline, necessitating HIO-PT for equivalent biomechanical and mobility outcomes as the non-HIO-PT group at one year.

Introduction
The purpose of this pilot study is to actively involve parents in the promotion of the development of visual skills and eye-hand coordination in children with visual impairment, due to CVI or ocular pathologies, through an habilitation training with light table and adapted material.
METHODOLOGY
Children aged 18 and 36 months with visual acuity <2/10 were recruited in 2 groups: CVI or ocular disease.
The assessment was performed before and after 6 months of training. It included:
- Visual function assessment
- Comprehensive ophthalmological examination
- Griffiths Scales of Child Development 3
- Peabody motor development scale- 2
- Parent stress index- short form questionnaire
The protocol involved parents and children at home, with at least 15 minutes of structured playing activities. Meetings were organized every 14 days, alternating on-site and online, to check the work carried out and also provide the new activities and materials. The games and activities were organized, using trasparent or reflecting tactile materials, according to child’s skills and age.
RESULTS
Eight children, 6 female, have been recruited and underwent the habilitation training. Mean age at the enrolment 29 months. After the training all showed improvements in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, quality of ocular movements and eye-hand coordination. Parents reported a reduction of stress organizing daily activities for their children and more consciusness of their child’s abilities.
CONCLUSIONS
Playing with light table and adapted material improved children’s visual skills and eye-hand coordination. The involvement of parents in visual habilitation programs can enhance child-parent relationship.

Purpose: This study aimed to test a robotic supine gait training (RSGT) device's safety when treating children and adolescents with a variety of diagnoses, to ensure their safety and the standardization of clinical practices.
Methods: This retrospective observational study included 280 patients who underwent one or more treatment sessions with a RSGT device (DPA Med®) at the Nantes Regional Children's and Adolescent Health Care Center. These patients’
medical files, indexed in the digital medical file manager program, were examined in search of evidence of adverse events presumably associated with the treatment. The search also included when the adverse events took place, their severity,
the required treatment, and the clinical outcomes.
Results: From January 2, 2019, to June 1, 2021 (a 2.5-year period), no adverse events were logged, presumed, or definitively linked to the treatment, for any of the 280 patients included in this study (100% of the sample). Patients underwent
an average of 5.71 (standard deviation=7.06) treatment sessions, for a total of 1598 sessions during that period.
Conclusion: No adverse events linked to RSGTwere registered for the children and adolescents treated with the device in this preliminary study.

Introduction
For many people with lived experience of disability, their condition is just the way they are. As more medical responses to individual conditions become possible, we need to ask; where are we going in our discussions and how far have we bought into the historical and cultural understanding that “Disability is a Bad Thing” ?
Methods
The presenters will draw on surveys and discussions from the experiences of people with intellectual impairments in Kenya and those from Share Our Story (#SOS) - a forum of people with disabilities from Wales and 11 African countries who discuss their lived experiences and how they may effect change.
Results
Perspectives from people with lived experiences of disability describe the degree to which medicalisation of their conditions has helped or hindered the progress of their lives. Drawing from these perspectives, we ask how best the medical profession can engage with people with disabilities to address the concept of their condition being a tragedy.
Reflections
1. Is disability always a ‘bad thing’? and if so, why?
2. How does the direct experience of people with disabilities challenge the commonly held perceptions held within our modern society?
3. Why is this important for health professionals reframing their approach to people with disabilities?

Introduction: Children with disabilities and their families are more likely to live in poverty than those without a disability. However, little is known about their lived experiences and the circumstances that influence their socio-economic condition. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences and factors affecting poverty among families raising children with disabilities
Participants and methods: A scoping review was conducted while searching eight international databases (Embase, Healthstar, Medline, PsycINFO, Econlit, Scopus, Web of Science, and Sociological Abstracts). About 2351 articles were independently screened, and 48 studies met the inclusion criteria.
Results: The 48 studies included in the review involved 18 countries over a 26-year period. Our findings highlight the following key trends: (1) rates and extent of poverty, (2) types of poverty (i.e., material hardship, cost burdens, food insecurity), and (3) factors affecting poverty among children and youth with disabilities and their families (i.e., type and severity of disability, age, race/ethnicity, single-parent households, employment status, education, financial supports, type of health insurance, and community and societal factors).
Conclusion: There is an urgent need for anti-poverty policies, interventions and resources to help support families raising a child with a disability. Clinicians should consider the risk of exposure to poverty among families raising a child with a disability and the potential impact this could have on their access to health.

Introduction: Youth with disabilities often face many barriers in finding employment. A knowledge gap exists surrounding the experiences of racially minoritized youth with disabilities who arguably encounter multiple and complex forms of discrimination. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of ableism and racism in employment among racially minoritized youth and young adults with non-apparent disabilities.
Participants and methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 racially minoritized participants aged 17-30 (mean age 23.5 years; 13 women, 3 men, 3 non-binary) with non-apparent disabilities (e.g., autism, learning disability, hearing loss, other hidden disabilities). Participants were from a large urban, multicultural Canadian city. Data were analyzed using a deductive thematic analysis approach informed by an intersectional ecological framework.
Results: Themes that affected racially minoritized youth’s employment included: (1) microsystems (i.e., individual barriers and facilitators to employment); (2) mesosystems (i.e., peers, family, disability, race/ethnicity, and work); (3) exosystems (i.e., workplace policies, healthcare system, educational institutions, community organizations); (4) macrosystems (i.e., ableism, racism, gendered discrimination and intersectional forms of discrimination); (5) the chronosystem (i.e., timing of obtaining employment, diagnosis and discrimination); and (6) ecological niche, which involved the extent to which work environments were safe and inclusive.
Conclusion: Clinicians and service providers should develop and implement more tailored supports to optimize the employment outcomes and work experiences for youth with multiple minoritized identities. Clinicians should consider their own potential biases to help improve health delivery and outcomes for marginalized clients.

Introduction: Children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) can find it difficult to access equipment that allows them to exercise effectively, potentially impacting their quality of life (QOL).
This study explored whether the Innowalk Pro, could influence QOL in children with CP, measured by the CPCHILD questionnaire, alongside range of movement and spasticity of the lower limbs, and functional goals, measured by goniometry, modified Tardieu scale and goal attainment scoring (GAS). This presentation evaluates how a special school now implements the Innowalk-Pro alongside education.
Participants and Methods:
Twenty-seven participants aged 5-18 years with a diagnosis of CP GMFCS IV/V. The Innowalk-Pro was used four times a week for 30-minutes alongside routine physiotherapy in a school setting over a six-week period. Outcomes were evaluated immediately pre/post intervention and at six-weeks and three-months post intervention. Analysis further explored differences between primary and secondary age participants. REC reference: 19/LO/1721.
Results: QOL improved in 36% of participants, the majority being secondary-aged. GAS improved in 88% of participants immediately post-intervention, with 21% declining by two or more units after three months. This has shaped how we prescribe the Innowalk-Pro positively within school.
Conclusions: A six-week course of the Innowalk-Pro can improve QOL and GAS for children with CP aged 5-18years. After a break of 6-12 weeks, goals tend to return to baseline. Given the known benefits of exercise this research has now shaped how we utilise the Innowalk-Pro in an education setting and how it benefits the service users with a block on/block off approach.

Introduction: Differences in early infant neuromotor behaviours may serve as key biomarkers for neurodiverse outcomes, including autism. We investigated the transdiagnostic potential of Prechtl’s General Movements Assessment (GMA), with associated optimality scoring (MOS-R), and the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) to predict a high likelihood of autism at 12 months.

Participants and methods: A prospective cohort of 127 infants (57% male; mean gestational age 33.6 weeks) were screened using GMA and MOS-R (3–5 months) and/or HINE (4–9 months).Infant 12-month outcomes were classified according to development (PDMS-2, BSID-III, ASQ-3) and likelihood of autism (Social Attention Communication Surveillance-revised) as developmentally ‘on track’ (TD) or confirmed/high-likelihood of (i) autism or (ii) CP. Logistic regression and Fisher’s exact test evaluated associations between screening and outcomes. Infants with non-specific delays (n=30) were excluded.

Results: Infants were classified as TD(n=55), high-likelihood of autism(n=33) and CP(n=13, 4 co-occurring autism). Total 84(87%) completed MOS-R, 87(90%) HINE and 77(80%) both. Each 1-point decrease on MOS-R and HINE increased odds of high-likelihood autism (MOS-R:OR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.06–1.69; HINE:OR=1.18, 1.09–1.28) and CP (MOS-R:OR=1.71, 1.34–2.17; HINE:OR=1.47, 1.22–1.79). Lower HINE subsection scores on ‘movements’(OR=1.78, 1.06-2.91) and ‘reflexes and reactions’(OR=1.22, 1.02-1.45) were associated with high-likelihood of autism. MOS-R features were significantly associated with specific neurodevelopmental outcomes, stiff, tremulous and circular arm movements (CP, p<0.01), flat posture (autism, p=0.03) and smiles, hand-to-hand, variable finger movements and head midline (TD, p<0.001-0.04).

Conclusion: MOS-R and HINE demonstrate promising transdiagnostic potential for identifying high-likelihood of autism, promoting equitable, timely access to therapy for infants with neurodevelopmental differences or neurodiversity.