Episode 206 (Professor Nick Gottardo)
BRAIN TUMOUR RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Reflections on this episode (Dr Pool)
Professor Nick Gottardo co-leads the Brain Tumour Research Programme at The Kids Research Institute Australia. He is also Head of the Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology/Haematology Department and the Stan Perron Chair in Paediatric Oncology and Haematology at Perth Children’s Hospital.
Nick is also the Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Children’s Haematology/Oncology Group, the peak professional body for paediatric oncologists and health professionals who care for children with cancer and the national cooperative clinical trials group for childhood cancer.
He leads several international clinical trials, including the front-line clinical trial for WNT subgroup medulloblastoma patients for the US based Children’s Oncology Group. He also sits on the Executive and Steering committees for the COllaborative Network for NEurooncology Clinical Trials (CONNECT) Collaborative, an international paediatric Neurooncology clinical trials group.
Episode 205 (Dr Ashleigh Thornton and Dr Dayna Pool)
KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION
Reflections on this episode (Dr Pool)
A special episode with our illustrious hosts before we catch up with Professor Nick Gottardo, Professor Alicia Spittle, Professor Andrew Whitehouse, Dr Gareth Baynam, Assoc. Professor Nikki Milne and Assoc. Clinical Professor Anita Gross amongst many others!
Episode 204 (Professor Roslyn Boyd)
RANDOMIZED COMPARISON TRIAL OF REHABILITATION VERY EARLY FOR INFANTS WITH CONGENITAL HEMIPLEGIA
Reflections on this episode (Dr Pool)
The REACH trial is the largest randomised comparison study to date, investigating Baby-CIMT (constraint-induced movement therapy) and Baby-BIM (bimanual therapy) in infants as young as 3 to 9 months of corrected age. The study found that both therapies significantly improved early hand function, but neither was superior—challenging assumptions about unimanual versus bimanual approaches in early neuroplasticity.
Interestingly, there were signals in the data that infants who commenced therapy before 6 months of age showed greater functional improvements, reinforcing the importance of early intervention. With direct clinical implications for therapists, this study provides crucial insights into therapy selection, dosage, and parental engagement in infant rehabilitation.
Episode 203 (Assoc Prof. Brian Hoare and Dr Sue Greaves)
UPPER LIMB THERAPY FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN WITH UNILATERAL CEREBRAL PALSY: A CLINICAL FRAMEWORK
Reflections on this episode (Dr Pool)
The core of our discussion revolved around two major therapeutic approaches: Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Bimanual Therapy.
One of the most important takeaways for me, and I believe for our listeners, was the shift away from normalising movement towards focusing on effective and efficient strategies for achieving functional goals.
Dr. Greaves and Dr. Hoare also provided valuable insights on the appropriate use of physical guidance, emphasising a "hands-off" approach as much as possible to promote active learning and avoid creating dependency. They stressed the significance of careful selection of toys and activities to provoke desired actions and the importance of grading the environment
Finally, we touched upon navigating the landscape of different therapies, with a strong emphasis on setting clear, explicit, and specific goals and actively involving and supporting families in the therapy process. This episode truly underscored the critical need for therapists to move beyond simply applying techniques and instead deeply understand the principles behind effective early intervention for children with unilateral cerebral palsy .
Episode 202 (Dr Stacey Cleary)
EXPERIENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN DAILY LIFE OF ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY: A SCOPING REVIEW
Reflections on this episode (Dr Pool)
The adolescent and young adult stage of life is a critical transition, moving away from structured environments and towards greater autonomy and independence, which presents unique complexities for this population. This work helps to illuminate these experiences and underscores the vital importance of understanding participation not just as attendance, but also as the subjective experience of involvement.
The central theme that emerged from the review, "claiming adulthood and doing life," really resonated with me. It highlights the strong desire of young people with CP for autonomy, inclusion, and meaningful engagement across all life domains, including healthcare, relationships, and social activities. However, the review also revealed the significant barriers they encounter, such as inaccessible environments, systemic inadequacies, and societal misconceptions. The crucial role of a close circle of support, encompassing family and peers, in facilitating participation was also emphasised. Importantly, the transformative impact of peer connections and mentorship among young adults with CP was particularly striking, offering encouragement and expanding perceptions of their own capabilities.
Moving forward, this research underscores the urgent need for tailored interventions and structural supports to enhance participation. As clinicians and researchers, it's imperative that we shift our focus to participation as a starting point rather than just an outcome. Stacy provided valuable advice for families and young adults, emphasising the importance of autonomy and seeking out supportive providers.
I'm hopeful that this paper will encourage more CP-specific training for professionals, improvements in accessibility, and the fostering of inclusive attitudes within communities. Future research should prioritise understanding the participation experiences of individuals with more complex disabilities and in diverse global contexts to inform more effective and equitable supports.
Episode 201 (Dr Rainer Blank and Dr Sebastian Schroeder)
A SPECIAL PRE-EACD 2025 EPISODE!
To round off 2024 and as an extra special lead-in to a stellar 2025 ahead, we have a holiday special - all about the EACD & IAACD 2025 Conference to be held in Heidelberg Germany! 🇩🇪
It's going to be a very unique conference this year as a combined EACD/IAACD event - so join with Dr Sebastian Schroeder and Dr Rainer Blank as they speak with our very own Dr Dayna Pool!
From a behind the scenes look, to what you can expect from the conference this year, the pre-conference sessions at the breathtaking UNESCO Monastery Maulbronn (FREE shuttles included in the conference registration!), be sure to join us for a brilliant conversation with some of Germany's very finest!
Also - are you curious about what a German Christmas looked like? Or what handy german phrases you should be working on before arriving, we've got you covered! 😉
Season 5!
This week, we catch up with Professor Nick Gottardo!
Co-lead of the Brain Tumour Research Programme at The Kids Research Institute Australia, he is also Head of the Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology/Haematology Department and the Stan Perron Chair in Paediatric Oncology and Haematology at Perth Children’s Hospital.