Cerebral Palsy Scotland regularly runs and hosts training sessions and courses for allied health professionals.
Cerebral palsy information sessions
We regularly run virtual and in-person Cerebral palsy information sessions for health, education and social care professionals working with children, young people or adults who have cerebral palsy. Information sessions give an overview of the different types of cerebral palsy and principles for treatment using the Bobath Concept.
Annual conference
Held in early October, the Cerebral Palsy Scotland annual conference is for all those with experience of cerebral palsy – either directly, through family, or professionally. Speaker sessions provide an opportunity to learn about and discuss topical issues and hear from people with lived experience of cerebral palsy. The exhibition area showcases charities, services, and other organisations that support people with cerebral palsy.
Previous training courses
Advanced Bimanual Therapy
Run by Brian Hoare in October 2023, this two-day course for clinicians focused on the implementation of bimanual therapy for children with cerebral palsy. Participants gained insight into the mechanisms and essential ingredients for learning motor skills and how to drive neuroplasticity for long-term outcomes.
Switch technology and skills
For some people with cerebral palsy, the use of a switch, or multiple switches, can be a key aspect to facilitating active participation in activities and the world around them. Run by our therapists in August 2023, this webinar course introduced how single switches can be used with children and adults with cerebral palsy, and also explored the use of single switches beyond early level cause-effect towards ‘switch for scanning’ skills.
PODD communication books
In summer 2023 we held a two-day PODD course at our centre. Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD) books are a means of selecting and organising symbols so that people with complex communication needs and their communication partners can communicate more easily. The course supported attendees to understand the principles of PODD, learn how to use PODD, and how to customise it.
Bobath Foundation Course
Between March-September 2019, 18 Scotland-based NHS therapists came to our centre to undertake the Bobath Foundation Course training. The course was fully-funded by Cerebral Palsy Scotland and Baillie Gifford in order to increase the number of specialist therapists across Scotland with clinical expertise in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy. More information.
Both Hands Assessment (BoHA)
In October 2019, Cerebral Palsy Scotland hosted the Both Hands Assessment (BoHA) training course for Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists. This was the first time the course had run in the UK. The BoHA is an assessment of bimanual performance in children aged 18 months-12 years who have bilateral cerebral palsy (MACS level I-III).