Friday, September 19

7:30 - 8:00 AM - Registration Open

8:00 - 8:15 AM - Opening Remarks

Speaker: Patsy Tate, CCC-SLP, C/NDT

8:15 - 9:15 AM - Session 1: Early identification of infants with neuromuscular challenges.

Speaker: Talia Collier, MD

9:15 - 10:15 AM - Session 2: The prevalence of hearing loss in infants with Cerebral Palsy or other Neuromuscular deficits and current interventions.

Speaker: Joel Jones, MD, MBA

10:30 - 11:30 AM - Session 3: Discussion of the prevalence of congenital hip dysplasia and risk factors for hip complications due to neuromuscular impairments.

Speaker: Basel Touban, MD, FAAOS, FAAP

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Session 4: Common gastrointestinal complications and challenges in infants with Cerebral Palsy.

Speaker: Holly Breeden, MD

12:30 - 1:15 PM - Lunch

1:15 – 2:30 PM - Lab 1: Intervention strategies for the infant with a compromised respiratory system for improved participation and function.

Speaker: Rona Alexander, CCC-SLP, PhD, C/NDT

2:45 - 4:00 PM - Lab 2: Intervention strategies to enhance opportunities for in-home mobility.

Speaker: Debbie Evans- Rogers, PT, PhD, PCS, C/NDT

4:15 - 5:30 PM - Lab 3: Intervention strategies for addressing visual challenges in the infant during play and participation.

Speaker: Kim Westhoff, OTR/L, C/NDT

5:30 – 7:00 PM - Welcome Reception

Saturday, September 20

8:00 – 10:00 AM - Keynote Presentation: “Evolution and New Perspectives in Neonatal Therapy: The 50 year view” From the NDT basic course in London with sage advice from Mrs. Bobath, my journey began through the NICU doorway. Supported by the APTA Pediatrics Academy, the path led to developing guidelines and competencies in pediatric physical therapy and neonatal physical therapy followed by individualized / collaborative NICU care models, and Neonatology Fellowship education. In this presentation, new perspectives are emphasized on neonatal therapy ethics, risk management, and brain care. NICU culture, valued collaboration with NICU nurses, and collaborative development of neonatal hydrotherapy are highlighted.

Speaker: Jane Sweeney, PT, PhD, MS, FAPTA

10:15 AM – 12:15 PM - Demos: An OT, PT, and SLP will do a mini assessment and then treat an infant live to demonstrate key aspects discussed during the afternoon hands on labs.

Speakers: Kacy Hertz, PT, C/NDT, Melissa G. Smith, CCC-SLP, C/NDT, Mary Hallway, OTR/L, C/NDT

12:15 - 1:00 PM - Lunch

1:00 – 2:15 PM - Lab 4: Foundational handling principles for optimizing postural control and functional skill development in the infant.

Speaker: Kacy Hertz, PT, C/NDT

2:30 - 3:45 PM - Lab 5: Intervention strategies for feeding the medically complex infant utilizing neuro-developmental principles.

Speaker: Melissa G. Smith, CCC-SLP

4:00 - 6:15 PM - Lab 6: Intervention strategies addressing sensory regulation challenges in the infant during play and participation.

Speaker: Mary Hallway, OTR/L, C/NDT

Sunday, September 21

8:00 – 10:00 AM - Keynote Presentation: “Development of Postural Control in the Infant”.

Drawing from her depth of experience, Ms. Bly will discuss the importance of treating the infant as a whole in the context of foundational building blocks for participation. She will discuss the importance of postural control and stability within development and how it impacts functional skills.

Speaker: Lois Bly, PT, MA, C/NDT

10:15 – 11:15 AM - Panel Discussion/Q&A: The Wrap-Up session is a time to gather all the information presented throughout the conference and synthesize it, as well as apply it directly to clinical practice.  It is an interactive group discussion time where identified questions relating to the overall conference topic are discussed in detail within small groups.  Then the small groups pose questions to a panel of experts.

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM - Closing Session

CE credits available: NDT, ASHA, AOTA, and APTA (as applicable)

*Schedule is subject to change. Schedule as of June 5, 2025.