Preliminary Program – Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Symposium
A Day Focused on Children and Adolescents with Acquired Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) 

Welcome to a unique and informative day centered on children and youth with acquired spinal cord injury.
We’ll take a deep dive into their needs, challenges, and opportunities – as well as the vital support their families require.

We’re proud to present a program that brings together both national and international expertise. Thanks to collaboration with some of the world’s leading specialists in this field, we gain access to extensive clinical experience and the latest research related to pediatric and adolescent spinal cord injury.

08.45 - 09.55 Registration and Coffee/Tea

09.55 Welcome 

10.00 - 12.00 Session 1: Introduction to Pediatric SCI

• Introduction to the Pediatric Spinal Cord injury: Worldwide demographics and etiology
  Lawrence Vogel
   
• KEYNOTE LECTURE:
  Fundamentals of Pediatric SCI Rehabilitation and the Need to Remain Pleasantly Persistent
  An overview of the current state of knowledge – evidence, assumptions, and research priorities in the field.
  MJ Mulcahey
   
• Case presentations
  Presentation of multiple clinical case studies highlighting challenges and insights from practice.
  Moderator: Randal Betz (along with several of the day’s speakers)

12.00 - 13.00 Session 2: Psychosocial Aspects of Pediatric SCI

• Developmental and Psychosocial Considerations in Growing Up with SCI
  Child development and the psychosocial aspects of growing up with a spinal cord injury.
  Kathy Zebracki
   
• Whose Voice Counts? A Child and Parent Perspective on Health Care Navigation
  Insights from lived experience, along with preliminary research findings from interviews and focus groups with parents of children with spinal cord injury.
  Samuel Jansson and Elin Salmiranta

13.00 - 14.00 LUNCH BREAK


14.00 - 15.00 Session 3: Neuromodulation in Pediatric SCI Rehabilitation

Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) in the U.S. and the Present and Future of Neuromodulation
A presentation on Acute Flaccid Myelitis in the U.S. and the use of neuromodulation for children with spinal cord injury.
Cristina Sadowsky
 

• Diaphragm Pacing in Children and Adolescents with SCI
  Sharing experiences with diaphragm pacing and long-term follow-up in his clinical practice in the U.S.
  Raymond Onders

15.00 - 15.15 Coffe/Tea



15.15 - 17.15 Session 4: Rehabilitation and Global Perspectives

• Pediatric SCI in Ireland: Epidemiology & Service Delivery
  A look into the epidemiology and healthcare system in Ireland.
  Eimear Smith
   
• Follow-up or Fall Behind: Small Course Corrections for Big Changes in Destination
  Emphasizing the importance of lifelong follow-up – what it should include and why it is critical.
  Alexander Rouse
   
• The Swedish Concept of National High Special Care (NHV)
  An overview of how Sweden’s highly specialized care is structured for children and youth with acquired spinal cord injury.
  Lisa Bondjers & Anna Gunnerbeck

• Scaling Active Rehabilitation and Peer Mentorship Through the First International Pediatric SCI Camp in Europe
  Introducing plans for an international camp in Europe for children with spinal cord injury.
  Marianne Holth Dybwad & Kristine Eide Sörland  - (Sunnaas Foundation)
   
• CLOSING PANEL DISCUSSION: Global Perspectives
  The day concludes with a panel discussion featuring several of the day’s speakers, reflecting on what matters most in care – today and into the future – to ensure children, adolescents, and their families receive the support they need.