6E - Optimising the Neuroplasticity Window: From Evidence to Early Cerebral Palsy Intervention
| Friday, June 5, 2026 |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
| Large Lecture Theatre (Human Biology) |
Speaker
Prof Iona Novak
Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Optimising the Neuroplasticity Window: From Evidence to Early Cerebral Palsy Intervention
Abstract - Instructional Course
Objectives
This interactive and practical Instructional Course introduces the world’s first eLearning modules and decision-support mobile health (mHealth) application designed to translate evidence-based early intervention for infants with cerebral palsy (CP) into clinical practice. By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify and categorise barriers to early intervention practice change in their context, using knowledge translation determinant frameworks, and apply these to the design, selection, and implementation of knowledge translation strategies.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of current evidence and theoretical models underpinning knowledge transfer strategies that support decision-making and promote practice change.
Target Audience
People with lived experience, clinicians, researchers, policy makers, and educators interested in evidence translation, implementation, and innovation in early intervention, eLearning, or digital health.
Background and Summary
Accurate early diagnosis and access to earlier intervention for infants with cerebral palsy (CP) is now achievable. Groups that have implemented the evidence outlined in the international early diagnosis guidelines have successfully reduced the average age of diagnosis from 19 months to 6-9 months, bringing identification into the critical window of neuroplasticity.
Cerebral palsy is a heterogeneous condition with varied presentations, meaning optimal care must be tailored to each child and family’s strengths, needs, context, and environment. Some signs and symptoms are not always visible during infancy, so clinicians must learn to predict later functional outcomes based on early indicators. This makes early intervention both highly specialised and complex, requiring not only technical expertise but also compassionate care for families.
Given that early diagnosis and intervention represent an expanding and evolving area of practice for many clinicians, targeted training is essential to build confidence and implementation capability. To address these needs, we developed CPAdvance, an interactive, evidence-based eLearning program that integrates the latest treatment evidence and features a decision-support tool to guide best-practice clinical decision-making.
This Instructional Course will present the scientific evidence underpinning CPAdvance and the eLearning methodology used in its development, demonstrate the integrated digital platform, and engage participants in a case-based barrier mapping activity. The course will also teach clinical pattern recognition and reasoning for identifying cerebral palsy types and prototypical presentations in infancy, supporting clinicians to refine their prognostic reasoning and early intervention planning. Working in small groups, participants will apply a knowledge translation determinant framework to real infant case scenarios on video, identifying barriers and selecting evidence-informed strategies to implement best-practice early intervention within their own service contexts.
This session brings together global leaders in cerebral palsy early diagnosis and intervention research, digital innovation in eLearning and mHealth, and People with Lived Experience (PWLE) in co-design. Presenters will share insights into how eLearning paired with knowledge translation design can accelerate implementation, enhance child and family outcomes, and promote equitable access to evidence-based care worldwide.
Course Format
1. Iona Novak (Chair) | Welcome & demonstration of CPAdvance | 10mins
2. Catherine Morgan (Speaker) | Identification of prognostic trajectory | 10mins
3. Lynda McNamara, Jill Massey, Astrid Ferreira (Speakers) | Interactive case-studies| 30mins
4. All (Speakers) | Q&A | 10mins
This interactive and practical Instructional Course introduces the world’s first eLearning modules and decision-support mobile health (mHealth) application designed to translate evidence-based early intervention for infants with cerebral palsy (CP) into clinical practice. By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify and categorise barriers to early intervention practice change in their context, using knowledge translation determinant frameworks, and apply these to the design, selection, and implementation of knowledge translation strategies.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of current evidence and theoretical models underpinning knowledge transfer strategies that support decision-making and promote practice change.
Target Audience
People with lived experience, clinicians, researchers, policy makers, and educators interested in evidence translation, implementation, and innovation in early intervention, eLearning, or digital health.
Background and Summary
Accurate early diagnosis and access to earlier intervention for infants with cerebral palsy (CP) is now achievable. Groups that have implemented the evidence outlined in the international early diagnosis guidelines have successfully reduced the average age of diagnosis from 19 months to 6-9 months, bringing identification into the critical window of neuroplasticity.
Cerebral palsy is a heterogeneous condition with varied presentations, meaning optimal care must be tailored to each child and family’s strengths, needs, context, and environment. Some signs and symptoms are not always visible during infancy, so clinicians must learn to predict later functional outcomes based on early indicators. This makes early intervention both highly specialised and complex, requiring not only technical expertise but also compassionate care for families.
Given that early diagnosis and intervention represent an expanding and evolving area of practice for many clinicians, targeted training is essential to build confidence and implementation capability. To address these needs, we developed CPAdvance, an interactive, evidence-based eLearning program that integrates the latest treatment evidence and features a decision-support tool to guide best-practice clinical decision-making.
This Instructional Course will present the scientific evidence underpinning CPAdvance and the eLearning methodology used in its development, demonstrate the integrated digital platform, and engage participants in a case-based barrier mapping activity. The course will also teach clinical pattern recognition and reasoning for identifying cerebral palsy types and prototypical presentations in infancy, supporting clinicians to refine their prognostic reasoning and early intervention planning. Working in small groups, participants will apply a knowledge translation determinant framework to real infant case scenarios on video, identifying barriers and selecting evidence-informed strategies to implement best-practice early intervention within their own service contexts.
This session brings together global leaders in cerebral palsy early diagnosis and intervention research, digital innovation in eLearning and mHealth, and People with Lived Experience (PWLE) in co-design. Presenters will share insights into how eLearning paired with knowledge translation design can accelerate implementation, enhance child and family outcomes, and promote equitable access to evidence-based care worldwide.
Course Format
1. Iona Novak (Chair) | Welcome & demonstration of CPAdvance | 10mins
2. Catherine Morgan (Speaker) | Identification of prognostic trajectory | 10mins
3. Lynda McNamara, Jill Massey, Astrid Ferreira (Speakers) | Interactive case-studies| 30mins
4. All (Speakers) | Q&A | 10mins
Paper Number
441
Biography
Professor Iona Novak AM is the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Chair of Allied Health at The University of Sydney, Australia. Iona is a Fulbright Scholar. Her research aims to discover, test and translate new treatments, in priority areas identified by people with cerebral palsy.
