Sandra Saavedra, M.S., P.T., Ph.D

University of Michigan
Developmental Neuromotor Control Laboratory
School of Kinesiology
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (January 2010-December 2012)

University of Oregon
Department of Human Physiology & Institute of Neuroscience
College of Arts and Sciences
Eugene, Oregon
Doctor of Philosophy in Motor Control
Dissertation: Contribution of Spinal segments to Trunk Control during Typical and Atypical
Development (March 2010)

University of Southern California
Department of Physical Therapy
Los Angeles, California
Master of Science and Certificate in Physical Therapy (January 1979)

University of Oregon
College of Arts and Sciences
Eugene, Oregon
Bachelor of Science in Biology (June 1975)

Licensure Information:

1979-current Licensed Physical Therapist, Oregon. (license # 01953)

1982-2010 Licensed Physical Therapist, Washington (license # 00002849)

2011-2013 Licensed Physical Therapist, Michigan (license # 5501 01 5935)

2013-2023 Licensed Physical Therapist, Connecticut (license # 009754)

Academic

2023–current
Chair, Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR

2022-2023
Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR

2018-2022
Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Director
Pediatric Balance Laboratory, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT

2013-2018
Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Director
Pediatric Balance Laboratory, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT

2011-2013
NRSA individual post-doctoral Fellow
School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

2010-2011
Postdoctoral Research Fellow. School of Kinesiology
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

2006-2009
NRSA individual pre-doctoral Fellow.
University of Oregon,Eugene, OR

2006-2010
Research Collaboration: Penelope Butler, PhD. Clinical studies

2014-current
examining effects of Targeted Training for Trunk Control.
The Movement Foundation, Oswestry, UK

2004-2006
Research Fellow. Postural Constraints in Children with Cerebral Palsy, Eugene, OR

Clinical

1997-2008
Private Practice, Pediatric Physical Therapy
Salem and Eugene, OR

1997-2000
Private Practice, Pediatric Physical Therapy
Synergy Dynamic Co-Therapy, Vancouver, WA

1995-2000
Staff Physical Therapist (Early intervention program)
Willamette Educational Service District, Salem OR

1992-1995
Staff Physical Therapist (Pediatric outpatient clinic)
The Children’s Guild, Salem, OR

1990-1992
Staff Physical Therapist (school age and early intervention)
Kelso School District, Kelso WA

1986-1989
Staff Physical Therapist (school age and early intervention)
Educational Service District, Spokane, WA

1982-1985
Staff Physical Therapist (Spinal deformities, Rheumatology & Rehab Clinics)
Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA

1979-1982
Staff Physical Therapist and Director of Physical Therapy
Grande Ronde Hospital, LaGrande, OR

PT 7115 Human Development Across the Lifespan (Fall 2023)

PT 8843 Research Project III (Fall 2023)

PT 7540 Evidence Based Practice (Spring 2024)

PT 8844 Research Project IV (Spring 2024)

PT 8841 Research Project I (Spring 2024)

PT 8842 Research Project II (Summer 2024)

PT 7540 Pediatrics (Summer 2024)

My research has four primary directions. First, I conduct studies aimed at understanding the sensory and motor mechanisms underlying the emergence of upright postural control. These studies rely on collaborations with engineers to assess and model changes in system dynamics as children gain trunk control. This research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

Second, translational studies regarding the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) and a segmental approach are in collaboration with a knowledge translation researcher and clinical partners who are exploring the challenges and paradigm shifts necessary to implement a segmental approach in clinical settings and across school districts.

My latest project in collaboration with OT faculty at Western University of Health Sciences -Oregon, is exploring segmental concepts of trunk control for adults with neurologic injury. First, we are attempting to develop and validate the SATCo for adults and secondly, we are examining the effects of optimal segmental trunk support on upper extremity function in adults with deficits in postural control.

Finally, I am dedicated to translating laboratory research for clinical application to enhance function and participation of children with the most severe postural dysfunction. These studies include collaborations with researchers in special education, neuromotor recovery and engineering. These are primarily proof of concept studies many of which involve device development to enhance postural contexts for participation.

Current/Active Research Activity (Internally funded):

Seed Grant Research Program, Western University of Health Sciences

Project title, “Segmental Assessment for Trunk Control Adapted for Adult Populations.”

Co-Principal Investigators-S. Saavedra, A Phillips,

$5,000(total costs) Funding period, March 2023-June 2024.

Major goals: To evaluate the feasibility and psychometric properties of the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) for adult populations and to examine the effect of external, segmental trunk support on upper extremity function in adults with neurologic deficits.

Completed Grant Activity (externally funded):

National Science Foundation

Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering (DARE) #1803714

Project title, “Unraveling posture control in severe cerebral palsy”

Co-Principal Investigators-AD Goodworth,S. Saavedra

$299,556 (total funds) Funding period July 2018-June 2023

Major goals: To identify functional implications, sensorimotor consequences and prognosis for segmental development of trunk control in typical infants and in children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy who have not yet achieved independent sitting.

National Institutes of Health- NIDCD

R03DC013858

Project title, “Sensory Contributions to Development of Trunk Control”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra

Co-PI: A. Goodworth

$435,000 (total funds) Funding period June 2014-May 2018

Major goals: To identify sensory reliance and sensory reweighting in typical infants during development of trunk control for independent sitting and in children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy who have not yet achieved independent sitting.

CT Space Consortium Graduate Research Fellowship

Title, “A longitudinal description of sensorimotor adaptations for postural control”

Principal Investigator- A. Kaminski, DPT student

Advisors:S. Saavedra and A. Goodworth,

$10,000 (total funds) Funding period May 21, 2015-May 20, 2016

Role: Co-supervise Alysha Kaminski (graduate student in DPT program) in experimental design and data analysis of an investigation of adaptions in typical infants learning about gravity and posture control.

Scoliosis Research Society-Small Exploratory Grant Proposal

Project title: Sensorimotor control of trunk posture in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Co-Investigator-Sandra Saavedra

Co-Investigator-Adam Goodworth, PhD

Co-Investigator-Howard King, MD

$10,000 (total costs) Funding period April 2014-September 2016

Major goals: to determine if there are growth or curve related differences in sensorimotor control of posture in different trunk segments in adolescents with and without idiopathic scoliosis.

National Institutes of Health- NICHD.

F32 HD068118

Project title, “Optomizing Locomotor Training for Children with Severe Cerebral Palsy”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra, sponsor B. Ulrich, co-sponsor J.A. Ashton-Miller

$152,766 total costs, Funding period September 2011- August 2014

(terminated, December 31, 2012 to accept tenure track faculty position)

Major goals: Evaluate the relation between level of trunk control and trunk inclination angle for optimizing stepping in typical infants and children with cerebral palsy during body weight supported treadmill stepping.

National Institutes of Health- NINDS.

R01 HD062745

Project title, “Spinal Segmental Contributions to Sitting & Reaching in Cerebral Palsy”

Principal Investigator- M. Woollacott, Postdoctoral Consultant: S. Saavedra

Funding period January 2011- December 2015

Major goals: To evaluate the contribution of segmental control of the trunk to unilateral and bilateral reaching during typical development and in children with cerebral palsy.

National Institutes of Health- NINDS.

F31 NS056726

Project title, “Contribution of Spinal Segments to Control of Posture”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra; Advisor, M. Woollacott

$103,020 (total costs) Funding period, September 15, 2006- September 14, 2009.

Major Goals: Explore typical and atypical development of trunk control using a novel, segmental approach.

Completed Grant Activity (internally funded):

Harrison Faculty Development Grant, Faculty Senate, University of Hartford

Project title, “Wearable sensor to monitor trunk posture and stage of control in non-ambulatory children”.

Co-PI: Patricia Mellodge

Co-PI: S Saavedra

$8000 (total funds) Funding period July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022

Major goals: To develop a trunk wearable sensor array and analysis software that can be used to document postural position and stages of control in non-ambulatory children in the laboratory and during full day monitoring at home.

ENHP Dean’s Scholarship Award

Project title, “I-Balance: Monitoring Postural Alignment and Development Using Wearable Sensors”.

Principal Investigator: S Saavedra

Co-PI: Patricia Mellodge

$5401 (total funds) Funding period March 15, 2021-June 30, 2022

Major goals: To support student workers in Electrical Engineering and Neuroscience to develop a wearable sensor system to be combined with segmental sway reverence protocol to study sensory augmentation for training trunk control.

University of Louisville NSF I-Corps Site grant. (during sabbatical 2021)

Project title, “I-Balance: Monitoring Postural Alignment and Development Using Wearable Sensors”.

Co-PIs: S Saavedra,P Mellodge, A Behrman

$2500 (total funds) Funding period March 15, 2021-June 30, 2022

Major goals: Technology and innovation funding to support PIs in learning about how to build a startup company through the Spring 2021 LaunchIt Program and for project to develop a wearable sensor system to monitor development of upright control.

Vincent B. Coffin Grant, Faculty Senate, University of Hartford

Title, “Enhancing Physical Activity and Participation Opportunities for Non-Ambulatory Children”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra

$3,000(total costs) Funding period, July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020.

Major goals: To test the effects of several custom support device prototypes on non-ambulatory children’s ability to remain upright and active in home or community settings.

Sprout Grant, Institute for Translational Research, University of Hartford.

Project title, “Effect of Optimal Trunk Support on Academic Engagement in Children with Moderate to Severe Disability”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra

Co-Principal Investigator-T Jagaiah

$7,000(total costs) Funding period, February 2018-June 2019.

Major goals: To use a segmental approach to identify level of trunk control and adapt children’s positioning devices for optimal function in the classroom. Outcome measures will be collected in and out of the classroom environment.

Sprout Grant, Institute for Translational Research, University of Hartford.

Project title, “Novel Media Technology for Online Collaborative Learning in Rehabilitation”

Principal Investigator-Danielle Bellows

Co-Investigators:S Saavedra, L. Schroeder

$7,000(total costs) Funding period, February 2017-June 2018.

Major goals: To support development of online continuing education course to teach the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) to pediatric therapists.

Sprout Grant, Institute for Translational Research, University of Hartford.

Project title, “Development of sensory function and postural control in infants with sensorineural hearing loss”

Co-Investigators:D Snowdon, S Saavedra

$7,000(total costs) Funding period, February 2017-June 2018.

Major goals: To examine the developmental trajectory of sensory function and postural control in infants born with sensorineural hearing loss.

Educational Technology Grant: Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation, U of Hartford

Project title, “Technology supported teaching of higher level clinical reasoning and practical skills in physical therapy”

Co-Investigators:D Bellows, S Saavedra, L. Schroeder

$9,800 (total costs) Funding period February 1, 2017- June 30, 2017.

Major goals: to expand the accessibility of an innovative web-based media player to facilitate interaction and collaboration around video content as a means of facilitating collaborative learning and higher level synthesis amongst DPT students

Strategic Plan #2: Growing Partnerships Award, University of Hartford

Project title,“Customized Support Devices in Electric Cars for Children with Disabilities”

Co-Investigator: A. Kwaczala, M. Arico, S. Saavedra, A. Goodworth, D. Felmlee

$10,700 (total costs) Funding period, July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017.

Major goals: To collaborate across departments (Biomedical Engineering, Prosthetics & Orthotics, Physical Therapy) and across institutes (University of Hartford, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center) to create modular trunk support units to optimize function for disabled children who are receiving electric cars through Go Baby Go events in Connecticut.

Vincent B. Coffin Grant, Faculty Senate, University of Hartford

Project title, “Certification course for physical therapy post-professional education about Targeted Training.”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra

$3,000(total costs) Funding period, July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017.

Major goals: To pay travel costs for Saavedra and Bellows to attend 10 conference in Oswestry UK to meet with international team of researchers to develop teaching materials regarding segmental assessment and treatment for postural control.

Greenberg Junior Faculty Grant, University of Hartford

Project title, “Effects of Targeted Training on sensory control of trunk posture: a clinical case series”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra

$9,150 (total costs) Funding period, July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016.

Major goals: To pay salaries for Clinical Experts and student Research Assistant’s to work on the Targeted Training Intervention Project.

Sprout Grant, Institute for Translational Research, University of Hartford.

Project title, “Effects of Targeted Training on sensory control of trunk posture: a clinical case series”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra and Danielle Bellows

$7,000(total costs) Funding period, March 2015-June 2017.

Major goals: To purchase supplies and equipment for building custom support devices for children enrolled in the Targeted Training Intervention Project and to pay travel expenses for Rehabilitation Engineering consultant from UK to travel to University of Hartford to supervise construction and fitting of devices.

Sprout Grant, Institute for Translational Research, University of Hartford.

Project title, “Clinical Test of Visual-Vestibular Interaction During Development of Sitting Postural Control.”

Principal Investigator-C. Certo, D. Snowdon, consultant-S. Saavedra

$6,000(total costs) Funding period, March 2015-June 2017.

Major goals: To develop a clinical test of visual/vestibular interactions with posture control in typical infants and children with CP who lack trunk control for independent sitting.

Seed Grant, Institute for Translational Research, University of Hartford.

Project title, “Normalization of the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control in Typical Infants”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra

$3,000(total costs) Funding period, March 2014-June 2015.

Major goals: to create normalized standards for development of segmental trunk control in typical infants.

Vincent B. Coffin Grant, Faculty Senate, University of Hartford

Project title, “A Dynamic Trunk Support System for Characterizing Sensory Feedback in Cerebral Palsy”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra

$2,500(total costs) Funding period, July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014.

Major goals: To design and build an adjustable trunk support unit that can be used for testing visual and vestibular contributions to trunk control for sitting in typical infants and children with cerebral palsy.

Sprout Grant, Institute for Translational Research, University of Hartford.

Title, “Contribution of Visual and Vestibular Systems to Development of Sitting Balance”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra

$5,000(total costs) Funding period, March 2013-February 2014.

Major goals: Purchase and install a barrier free ceiling lift for the Pediatric Balance Lab at University of Hartford. This lift will be used to safely transfer children with moderate-to-severe CP from their wheelchair to a seating system on a programmable tilt platform in order to evaluate sensory contributions to trunk control in non-ambulatory children.

Nick Leoni Endowment Fund (University of Michigan, School of Kinesiology)

Project title, “Relation between level of trunk control and trunk inclination angle for optimizing stepping in infants supported on a motorized treadmill”

Principle Investigator & advisor-B. D. Ulrich, Co-Investigator- S. Saavedra

$15,818 (total costs) Funding period, November 2010-November 2011.

Major Goals: To systematically evaluate the contribution of trunk control to body weight supported treadmill stepping in typically developing infants.

Betty Foster McCue Fellowship (University of Oregon)

Project title, “Efficacy of Targeted Training for trunk control in children with neuromotor disability”

Principal Investigator- S. Saavedra; Advisor, M. Woollacott

$5,000 Funding period, September 2008- June 2009.

Major goals: (see below)

The Movement Foundation (Oswestry UK)

Project title, “Efficacy of Targeted Training for trunk control in children with neuromotor disability”

Principal Investigator-S. Saavedra; Advisor, M. Woollacott

$15,000 Funding period, August 2007- June 2009.

Major Goals: The goal of this study was to conduct a collaborative, longitudinal study examining the effects of training specific spinal segments to improve postural control in children with neuromotor disability with Penelope Butler from The Movement Centre.

Patents

Apparatus and method of measurement of incremental changes in partial postural control. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number: 63/192041, Filed May 23, 2021

Floating physical therapy device, US Nonprovisional Patent Application Number 17/092,560. Filed November 20, 2020. Provisional Application Serial Number 62/933,097.

Invited speaker, Pediatric Neurorecovery Summit, Kosair Charities, Louisville, KY, May 2019

Excellence Through Relevance Faculty Research Award, May 2018

Women’s Advancement Initiative Junior Faculty Fellowship Award, August 2016

Greenberg Junior Faculty Award, July 2016

Invited speaker, 1st Annual MARC Symposium, Oakland, CA, November 2015

Invited speaker, 8th Pan-Pacific Rehabilitation Conference, Manilla, Philippines Nov. 2012

Toby Long Award: Best Manuscript in Pediatric Physical Therapy 2010, awarded during Combined Sections Meeting of APTA, Feb 2011

AACPDM student travel award June 2009 (for conference September 2009)

Invited speaker, Danish Fysiotherapy conference, Odense, Denmark, March 26-28, 2009.

Oregon Chapter Society for Neuroscience travel award. November 2007

Neuron Award, best student podium presentation, Oregon Society for Neuroscience Annual Chapter Meeting. March 2007

Invited speaker, Movement Centre annual conference, Oswestry, Shropshire, UK, April 24, 2007.

Finalist, Esther Thelen Award for “young and promising researcher” in the field of Developmental Posture Research, ISPGR Marseille, France. June, 2005

Membership in Scientific/Professional Organizations

American Council of Academic Physical Therapy

Member 2014-current

American Physical Therapy Association 1979-current

Section on Pediatrics

Research Committee 2016-current

Section on Research

Section on Neurology

Section on Education

Research Intensive Institutes for Physical Therapy Group 2016-2022

American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine

Member 2007-current

American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

Member 2014-2016

International Society for Posture and Gait Research 2004-2011

International Society for Infant Studies 2011-current

North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity 2011-2014

Society for Neuroscience 2006-2015

Toastmasters International 2013-2017

Vice-President Membership 2014-15

Vice-President Education 2015-16

Evaluation contest

1st place club, local, and division level contests 2013

2nd place District contest 2013

Consultative and Advisory Positions Held

Research Consultant

University of Louisville, Neurological Surgery, Louisville, KY 2018-2021

Independent PhD Thesis Reviewer:

University of Queensland, Australia 2020

Professional Service

National Institutes of Health

Peer reviewer:Member Conflict: Function, Integration, and Rehabilitation Sciences Study Section2023

National Science Foundation

Peer reviewer for pre-panel reviews of proposals for Emerging Frontiers in Research & Innovation: Brain-Inspired Dynamics for Engineering Energy Efficient Circuits and Artificial Intelligence. January 2022

Field Initiated Program Grant Review, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research peer reviewer (May 23-25, 2017; May 19-21, 2020)

International Congress of Infant Studies

Peer reviewer for conference abstracts, January 2022

Invited Participant, Cerebral Palsy Research Workshop Chicago, IL (June 7-18, 2017)

Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy

Peer reviewer for mentorship grants 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022

Peer reviewer for research grants 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Peer reviewer for APTA Combined Sections Meeting abstracts 2018, 2021

Reviewer Scientific Manuscripts:

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Assistive Technology

BMC Pediatrics

Brain Sciences

Child Development

Children

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology

Developmental Neurorehabilitation

Developmental Psychobiology

Disability and Rehabilitation

Early Human Development

Experimental Brain Research

Frontiers of Rehabilitation

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

Gait and Posture

Journal of Biomechanics

Journal of Motor Behavior

Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine

Motor Control

Pediatric Physical Therapy

Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics

Physical Therapy Journal

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

PLOS ONE

Sensors

Sage Open

Somatosensory & Motor Research

Services to the University/College/School on Committees/Councils/Commissions

Western University of Health Sciences – Oregon Campus

CHS Northwest

Research Committee 2022-current

Search committee- Department Chair 2022-2023

University of Hartford

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Committee 2013-2018

Strategic Planning Committee Spring 2014

Graduate admissions committee 2014-2022

Development of Pediatric Balance Laboratory 2013-2022

College of ENHP

Academic Affairs Committee 2013-2016, 2018-2022

Advisory Council for Research Fall Semester 2013; 2014-2020

Member-rehab engineer search, Rehabilitation Sciences 2014-15

Member- tenure track faculty search, Rehabilitation Sciences 2015-16

Chair- tenure track faculty search, Rehabilitation Sciences 2016-17

Chair- tenure track faculty search, Rehabilitation Sciences 2019-20

Co-Chair, 6-member faculty search, Rehabilitation Sciences 2021-2022

Promotion and Tenure Committee, ENHP 2019-2022

University Service

Faculty advisor: Student Yoga Club 2018-2020

Interviewer: Undergraduate Scholarship Competition 2018, 2019, 2022

Member-tenure track faculty search, Mechanical Engineering 2014-15

Marshall Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement 2016, 2017

Provost’s Committee “Common Times” Taskforce 2017

Special Provost’s “Academic Integrity Committee”, 2019

Greenberg Grant Selection Committee 2019

Book Chapters

• Saavedra S, Goodworth AD (2020), “Posture control therapy in children and youth with cerebral palsy” in Cerebral Palsy, edited by Dr. F. Miller, S. Bachrach, N. Lennon and M. O’Neil.

Peer Reviewed Publications

• Jogaiah, T., & Saavedra, S. (2023). Facilitating Student Engagement Using Optimal Trunk Support for Children with Postural Dysfunction. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 72, 94.
• Mellodge, P., Saavedra, S., Tran Poit, L., Pratt, K. A., & Goodworth, A. D. (2023). Quantifying States and Transitions of Emerging Postural Control for Children Not Yet Able to Sit Independently.Sensors,23(6), 3309.
• Breighner J, Snowdon D, Saavedra S. (2021) Special Report: Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Aquatic Device for Children with Postural Dysfunction. J Aquatic Physical Therapy, 29(3): 67-72
• Goodworth, A., & Saavedra, S. (2021). Postural mechanisms in moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy.Journal of Neurophysiology,125(5), 1698-1719.
• Goodworth AD, Kratzer A, Saavedra S. (2020) Influence of visual biofeedback and inherent stability on trunk postural control. Gait & Posture (80):308-314
• Goodworth AD, Tetreault K, Lanman J, Klidonas T, Kim S, Saavedra S. (2018) Sensorimotor control of the trunk in sitting sway referencing.J Neurophys 120(1):37-52.
• Duncan K, Goodworth A, Da Costa C, Wininger M, Saavedra S. (2018) Parent handling of typical infants varies segmentally across development of postural control. Exp Brain Res,236(3), 645-654.
• Santamaria V, Rachwani J, Saavedra S, Mansell W, Woollacott MH. (2017). The impact of segmental trunk support on posture and reaching while sitting in healthy adults. J Motor Behav pp 1-14.
• daCosta CSN, Saavedra SL, Rocha ACF, Woollacott M. (2016) The effect of biomechanical constraints on neural control of head stability in children with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy. Physical Therapy Journal 97(3):374-385.
• Curtis DJ, Woollacott M2,Bencke J, Lauridsen LB, Saavedra S, Bandholm T, Sonne-Holm S. (2016).The functional effect of segmental trunk and head control training in moderate to severe cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Dev Neurorehabil Dec 26, pp 1-10.
• Wu Y, Duncan K, Saavedra S, Goodworth AD (2016). Segmental trunk and head dynamics during frontal plane tilt stimuli in healthy sitting adults. J Biomech 49(13):2831-2837.
• Goodworth AD, Wu Y-H, Felmlee D, Dunklebarger E, Saavedra S. (2016). A trunk support system to identify posture control mechanisms in populations lacking independent sitting. IEEE 25(1):19-27.
• Santamaria V, Rachwani J, Saavedra S, Woollacott M. (2016) Effect of segmental trunk support on posture and reaching in children with cerebral palsy. Pediatr Phys Ther28(3):285-293.
• Saavedra S, Woolacott MH.(2015) Segmental contributions to trunk control in children with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med Rehab 96(6):1088-1097.
• Saavedra S, (2015) Trunk control in reaching: growing into or out of dysfunction? Invited commentary on “Development of postural adjustments during reaching in infants at risk for cerebral palsy from 4 to 18 months”. Dev Med Child Neurol 57(7):598-599.
• Rachwani J, Santamaria V, Saavedra SL, Woollacott MH, (2015) The development of trunk control and its relations to reaching in infancy: a longitudinal study. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 9.
• Curtis D, Hansen L, Bencke J, Saavedra S, Woollacott M, Luun M, Steenberg G, Sonne-Holm S. (2015) “Measuring postural sway in sitting- a new segmental approach.” J Motor Behav 47(5):427-435.
• Curtis DJ. Butler P. Saavedra S., Bencke J, Kallemose,T, Sonne-Holm S, Woollacott, M. (2015), The central role of trunk control in the gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy: a retrospective cross-sectional study. Dev Med Child Neurol. 57(4), 351-357
• Saavedra S, (2015) Trunk control in cerebral palsy: are we ready to address the elephant in the room? Invited commentary on “The relationship between trunk control in sitting and during gait in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy”. Dev Med Child Neurol57(4): 309-310
• Saavedra S, Bellows D, (2014) Commentary on “Sitting Postural Control Affects the Development of Focused Attention in Children with Cerebral Palsy”. PediatrPhysTher27(1):23
• Saavedra S, Bellows D, DaCosta C, (2014) Commentary on “Analysis of postural stability in children with cerebral palsy and children with typical development: an observational study”. PediatrPhysTher26(3):331
• Rachawani J, Santamaria V, Saavedra S, Wood S, Porter F, Woollacott MH, (2013) Segmental Trunk Control Acquisition and Reaching in typically Developing Infants. Exp Brain Res 228(1):131-139
• Saavedra S, van Donkelaar P., Woollacott M H, (2012) Learning about gravity: segmental assessment of upright control as infants develop independent sitting. J Neurophysiol108: 2215-2229. PMC 3545022
• Saavedra S, Teulier, C, Butler B, Kim BJ, Smith BA, Martin B, Ulrich BD. (2012) Behavioral and Step Changes in Infants with MMC due to Intermittent Vibration. Phys Ther, 92:537-550.PMC3317481
• Butler PB, Saavedra S, Sofranc M, Jarvis S,Woollacott M. (2010) Reliability and validity of the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control. Pediatr Phys Ther 22(3):246-57, PMC2927393
• Saavedra S, Woollacott M, van Donkelaar P. (2010) Head stability during quiet sitting in children with cerebral palsy: effect of vision and trunk support. Exp Brain Res 201(1): 13-23. PMC2821460
• Saavedra S, Woollacott M, van Donkelaar P. (2009) Eye-Hand Coordination in Children with Cerebral Palsy.Exp Brain Res. 192(2): 155-165, PMC2800126
• Reilly D, van Donkelaar P, Saavedra S, Woollacott MH (2008) The effects of dual task conditions: the interaction between the development of postural control and executive attention. J Motor Behav 40(2):90-102
• Reilly D, Woollacott MH, van Donkelaar P, Saavedra S. (2008) Dual task effects on postural control in children with cerebral palsy: static stance. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 89:834-842
• Van Donkelaar P, Saavedra S, Woollacott MH (2007) Multiple Saccades are more automatic than single saccades. J Neurophysiol. 97:3148-3151.
• Saavedra S, Woollacott MH, van Donkelaar P (2007) Effects of Postural Support on Eye Hand Interactions Across Development, Exp Brain Res. 180(3): 557-567, PMC2744857

Peer Reviewed Scientific articles in submission

• Snowdon D, Barnaby J, Engstrom N, Pisanelli N, Russo W, Solis N, Saavedra S. Development of sensory function and postural control in infants with sensorineural hearing loss. (in revision)
• Saavedra S, Bowns E, Quarum J, Goodworth A. Level of trunk control and external support affect postural and exploratory arm movements differently in infants learning to sit. (iin revision)

Peer Reviewed Scientific and Professional Presentations:

• “Trunk Control, what it means for autonomy in adults and the adaptation of the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) to address adult neurological populations.” 4-hour pre-conference presentation at American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine 100th Annual Conference, Progress in Rehabilitations Research: Translation to Clinical Practice, Atlanta Georgia, October 28-November 2, 2023. Co-taught by S. Saavedra, A. Phillips

• “Modeling and quantifying dynamics of emerging postural control”, oral presentation at Pediatric Research Summit 6 (RS6) Precision Rehabilitation Research for children with Neuromotor Conditions, Alexandria, Virginia, October 19-21, 2023. Presented by S Saavedra.

• “Modeling and quantifying dynamics of emerging postural control” oral presentation atNeural Control of Movement Satellite conference,Victoria, BC, Canada April 16, 2023. Presented by Sandra Saavedra and Patricia Mellodge.
• “Influence of trunk support and development on the evolution of spontaneous upper extremity behaviors in infants” poster presentation atNeural Control of Movement conference,Dublin, Ireland, July 24-29, 2022. Presented by Sandra Saavedra,coauthored byEmily Bowns,Jesse Quarumand A Goodworth.
• “Signatures of motor learning of trunk posture in moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy” poster presentation atNeural Control of Movement conference,Dublin, Ireland, July 24-29, 2022. Presented by Adam Goodworth,coauthoredby S. Saavedra and Jonny Reitinger
• “Segmental approach to adapting postural contexts: effects on participation in home, educational and community settings”. 2-hour virtual, recorded presentation for On Demand Content at American Physical Therapy Association CSM Conference, San Antonio, Texas, February 2-30, 2022. Co-taught by S. Saavedra, C. Christensen and D. Swensen.
• “Segmental approach to adapting postural contexts: effects on participation in home, educational and community settings”. 2-hour podium presentation at American Physical Therapy Association CSM Conference, San Antonio, Texas, February 2-5, 2022. Co-taught by S. Saavedra, C. Christensen and D. Swensen. (Swensen and Christensen live, Saavedra portion was recorded for use during live session)
• Journal of Neurophysiology : In this podcast, coauthors Dr. Adam Goodworth of Westmont College and Dr. Sandra Saavedra of the University of Hartford discuss their manuscript titled “Postural mechanisms in moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy” with Editor in Chief Prof. Nino Ramirez. (Jan. 14, 2022)https://jneurophysiol.podbean.com/e/a-discussion-on-postural-mechanisms-in-moderate-to-severe-cerebral-palsy-with-dr-goodworth-and-dr-saavedra/
• “Facilitating student engagement using optimal trunk support for children with postural dysfunction”. Virtual podium presentation at the Special Education: Moving Beyond Boundaries Conference, Malaysia, November 13, 2021. Presented by Thilagha Jagaiah, co-authored by Sandra Saavedra
• “Providing optimal trunk support to improve student engagement for students with postural deficits”. Virtual Poster presentation at Northeastern educational research association annual conference, October 13, 2021, presented by Thilagha Jagaiah, co-authored by Sandra Saavedra
• “Detecting movement patterns in children with severe cerebral palsy using wearable sensors”. Virtual podium presentation at SIAM 2021: Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems. May 23-27, 2021. Presented by Patricia Mellodge, coauthored by L Tran and S. Saavedra
• “Optimal Trunk Support Improves Academic Engagement for Children with Disabilities”. Virtual poster presentation at Council for Exceptional Children 2021 Convention and Expo April 2021. Presented by T Jagaiah, coauthored by S. Saavedra
• “Spinal Cord Injury: New frontiers in restorative therapies and outcomes” 1-hour virtual, recorded presentation for World Confederation of Physical Therapy, April 8-10, 2021. Presented by S Saavedra, L LeonMachado, A. Behrman
• “Build your own Sit to stand Box: Promoting movement transitions for children with GMFCS III-V.Demonstration poster and audio recording, for Practice Fair at Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, virtual meeting, November 8, 2020. Presented by Jason Hubeny, SPT with supervision from S. Saavedraand D. Bellows. Won best poster in Practice Fair.
• “Postural contexts for participation: increasing autonomy and self-efficacy of children with CMFCS IV and V”. Lunch and Learn 1-hour virtual, recorded presentation for American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting, virtual meeting, September 23-26, 2020. Presented by S. Saavedra, D. Snowdon and D. Bellows.
• “Build your own Sit to stand Box: Promoting movement transitions for children with GMFCS III-V.Demonstration poster and audio recording, for American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting, virtual meeting, September 23-26, 2020. Presented by Jason Hubeny, SPT with supervision from S. Saavedra and D. Bellows.
• “Visual biofeedback improves balance control: until it doesn’t”. Poster presentation at American Congress of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting San Francisco, CA May 26-30, 2020 by A. Goodworth, S. Fitzhugh, A. Kratzer, M. Lommori, M. Rowley, J. Robertson, S. Saavedra
• “Trunk control in children with neuromotor deficits: assessment and intervention”. 2-hour educational session at American Physical Therapy Association CSM Conference, Denver, CO, February 13-15, 2020. Co-taught by S. Saavedra, L. Argetsinger and A. Behrman.
• “Effect of trunk support or postural contexts on upright control and function in water.” poster presentation at the Connecticut Physical Therapy Fall Conference, Bridgeport, CT, November 9, 2019. Physical Therapy research students Joshua Breighner, SPT with supervision from S. Saavedra and D. Snowdon.
• “Effect of optimal trunk support on academic engagement in children with moderate to severe disability” poster presentation at the Connecticut Physical Therapy Fall Conference, Bridgeport, CT, November 9, 2019. Physical Therapy research students Kelly Blochlinger SPT, Alyssa Desanti SPT, Katie Hancock SPT, Ashley Klein SPT, and Toni Penta SPT with supervision from S. Saavedra and T. Jagaiah.
• “Outcome measures to monitor movement patterns in children with severe cerebral palsy.” poster presentation at the Combined Sections Meeting, Washington DC, January 23-26, 2019. Neuroscience Masters and physical therapy student Linda Tran SPT faculty advisors: S. Saavedra and K. Pratt.
• “Monitoring movement patterns in children with severe cerebral palsy” poster presentation at the Connecticut Physical Therapy Fall Conference, Waterbury, CT, November 3, 2018. Neuroscience Masters and physical therapy student Linda Tran SPT with supervision from S. Saavedra and K. Pratt.
• “Development of Sensory Function, Motor Function, and Postural control in infants with Sensorineural Hearing Loss” poster presentation at the Connecticut Physical Therapy Fall Conference, Waterbury, CT, November 3, 2018. Physical Therapy research students Anna LeBlanc SPT, Nick Pisanelli SPT, Bill Russo SPT with supervision from S. Saavedra and D. Snowdon.
• “Maximizing function in children with cerebral palsy using the segmental approach for trunk control” 3-hour educational session at the Connecticut Physical Therapy Fall Conference, Waterbury, CT, November 3, 2018. Physical Therapy research students Timothy Geier SPT, Lauren Shortell SPT, Joe Mickelson SPT with supervision from S. Saavedra.
• “Posture control and motor learning in infants and children with cerebral palsy during development of sitting”. Podium presentation at American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, OH, October 11-13, 2018.
• “Effect of optimal support on infant behaviors during development of sitting”. Poster presentation at International Congress of Infant Studies, Philadelphia PA, June 29-July 3, 2018.
• “Training Trunk Control: Is a Segmental Approach Right for You?” 2-hour educational session at the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium, Framingham, MA, accepted for presentation May 8-9, 2017. Presented by S. Saavedra and D. Bellows
• “Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): Measurement and Use for Children with Spinal Cord Injury” 90 minute educational session at the American Spinal Injury Association, accepted for presentation April 28, 2017. Presented by A. Behrman, S. Saavedra and L. Argetsinger
• “Targeted Training for Head Control”. 2-hour educational session at American Physical Therapy Association CSM Conference, San Antonio, TX, February 16-18, 2017. Co-taught with Danielle Bellows, S. Saavedra and Sarah Bew.
• “You’ve Got to Move it! Applications of Technology for Physical Activity”. 2-hour educational session at American Physical Therapy Association CSM Conference, San Antonio, TX, February 16-18, 2017. Co-taught by Susan Duff, Gerald Harris, Maggie ONeil, Jennifer Christy-Braswell and S. Saavedra
• “Effect of optimal support on infant behaviors during development of sitting” poster presentation at the Connecticut Physical Therapy Fall Conference, Hartford, CT, October 15, 2016. My research students Sarah Barnes SPT, Juan Duque SPT, Lauren Parsonage SPT and Shivani Shah SPT gave this presentation with supervision from S. Saavedra, additional co-authors were Yen-Hsun Wu and Adam Goodworth.
• “Training Trunk Control: Is a Segmental Approach Right for You?” 3-hour educational session at the Connecticut Physical Therapy Fall Conference, Hartford, CT, October 15, 2016. My research students Kathleen Carroll MSPO, Alyssa Englert SPT, Molly Maine SPT and Alice Vu SPT with supervision from S. Saavedra and Danielle Bellows.
• “Characterization of Sensory Integration During Development of Trunk Posture Control” poster presentation at American Physical Therapy Association CSM Conference, Anaheim, CA, February 18-20, 2016. Presented by Adam Goodworth, coauthored by S. Saavedra, Yen-Hsun Wu and A Goodworth.
• “Infant Visual Attention and Postural Control: A Comparison with the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo)” poster presentation at APTA CSM Conference, Anaheim, CA, February 18-20, 2016. Presented by Kerian Duncan, SPT, S. Saavedra, A Goodworth.
• “Development of Segmental Postural Control in Children: Part 1”. 2-hour educational session at American Physical Therapy Association CSM Conference, Anaheim, CA, February 18-20, 2016. Presented by S. Saavedra, P.Butler, D. Bellows, D. Curtis, T. Pin.
• “Development of Segmental Postural Control in Children: Part 2”. 2-hour educational session at American Physical Therapy Association CSM Conference, Anaheim, CA, February 18-20, 2016. Presented by S. Saavedra, P. Butler, D. Bellows, D. Curtis, T. Pin.
• “Posture evaluation concepts for children with severe motor impairment”. 1.5 hour educational session at American Physical Therapy Association NEXT Conference, National Harbor, MD, June 3-6, 2015. Presented by S. Saavedra, P. Butler and D. Bellows.
• “Treatment concepts for children with severe motor impairment.” 1.5 hour educational session at American Physical Therapy Association NEXT Conference, National Harbor, MD, June 3-6, 2015. Presented by S. Saavedra, P. Butler and D. Bellows.
• “Feature extraction from distinct behavioral patterns in infants learning to sit”. Poster presentation at Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference, Washington DC, November 14-19, 2014.
• “Contribution of trunk control to development of upper extremity movement”, poster presentation at International Conference for Infant Studies, Berlin, Germany, June 3-6, 2014.
• “Concepts for assessment and treatment of postural control in individuals with moderate-to-severe motor impairment”. 3 hour workshop at Connecticut Physical Therapy Association Fall Conference, New Haven, CT October 5, 2013.
• “Trunk Control: new Evidence for Assessment and Treatment.” 1.5 hour workshop at Connecticut Physical Therapy Association Fall Conference, New Haven, CT October 4, 2013. Co-taught by S. Saavedra and D. Curtis, MSc, PT
• “Contribution of trunk segments and muscle coordination to acquisition of upright control for independent sitting.” oral presentation at NASPSPA conference, Honolulu, HI June 7-9, 2012.
• ”Relation between level of trunk control and trunk inclination angle for optimizing step responses in infants supported on a motorized treadmill”.oral presentation at NASPSPA conference, Honolulu, HI June 7-9, 2012.
• “Motor control and developmental disabilities: Identification, assessment, and interventions-Segmental contributions of trunk control to sitting, reaching, and stepping in children with cerebral palsy.” oral presentation at NASPSPA conference, Honolulu, HI June 7-9, 2012.
• “Concepts for assessment and treatment of postural control in children with moderate to severe motor impairment.” 2-hour instruction course presented at 65th annual meeting of the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, October 12-15, 2011. Presented by S. Saavedra, P. Butler and M. Sofranc.
• “Motor responses induced by intermittent vibration in infants with and without myelomeningocele.” poster presentation at Progress in Motor Control VIII conference, Cincinnati, Ohio July 21-24, 2011.
• “Effects of whole body vibration on treadmill stepping in infants.” poster presentation at Progress in Motor Control VIII conference, Cincinnati, Ohio July 21-24, 2011.
• “Behavioral and Step Changes in Infants with Myelomeningocele due to Intermittent vibration”, oral presentation at NASPSPA conference, Burlington, Vermont June 9-12, 2011.
• “Development of spinal postural control: evidence of a four stage process”, oral presentation at International Society for Posture and Gait Research, Bologna, Italy June 21-26, 2009.
• “Reliability of the Segmental Assessment of Spinal Control (SASCo)” Poster presentation, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada Feb 9-12, 2009.
• “Effects of vision and postural control on head stability during quiet sitting in children with cerebral palsy.” Poster presentation at American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia September 16-20, 2008
• “Introduction to the Assessment of Spinal Control”, Therapists In Educational Settings conference (annual state wide conference for school PTs, OTs, Teachers) April 15, 2008.
• “Effects of postural support on eye hand interactions in typically developing children and children with cerebral palsy.” Poster presentation at Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, California, November 3-7, 2007.
• “Effects of postural support on eye hand interactions in typically developing children and children with cerebral palsy.” Poster presentation at International Society for Posture and Gait Research, Burlington, Vermont July 14-18, 2007.
• “Effect of trunk postural support on head stability in typically developing children and children with cerebral palsy.” Abstract accepted for podium presentation, NW Biomechanics Symposium, Eugene, OR May 18-19 2007.
• “Eye hand interactions in typically developing children and children with cerebral palsy” Neuron Award, graduate student oral presentation, Oregon Chapter Society for Neuroscience, Portland, OR March 31, 2007.
• “Eye Hand Coordination in Children with Cerebral Palsy” poster presentation at Lesions in the Developing Nervous System Developmental Neurology Conference, Groningen, The Netherlands, May 11-13, 2006.
• “Eye Hand Coordinationin Children” poster presentation, Therapists in Educational Settings (TIES) conference Eugene, OR April 16, 2006.
• “Eye Hand Coordinationin Children” poster presentation Oregon Chapter Society for Neuroscience, Lincoln City, Oregon March, 2006.
• “Attentional networks contributing to postural stability during dual tasks in typically developing children and children with cerebral palsy” invited oral presentation at International Society for Posture and Gait Research in Marseille, France May 30-June 1, 2005 (Abstract was submitted as a poster, committee requested that it be given as an oral presentation)

Invited (non-peer reviewed) Professional presentations

• “Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): Administration and Scoring”. At the Assistive Technology & Therapists in Educational Settings Annual conference (AT-TIES Together 2023) Salem, Oregon, April 24, 2023, 90 minute instructional session presented by S Saavedra and D Swensen.
• “Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): Hands on Practice and Tester Errors”. At AT-TIES Together 2023 in Salem, Oregon, April 24, 2023, 90 minute instructional session presented by S Saavedra and D Swensen.
• “Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): Open and Closed Chain Concepts and Compensatory Strategies”. At AT-TIES Together 2023 in Salem, Oregon, April 24, 2023, 90 minute instructional session presented by S Saavedra and D Swensen.
• “Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): Application to Early Intervention and Transition”. At AT-TIES Together 2023 in Salem, Oregon, April 25, 2023, 90 minute instructional session presented by S Saavedra and D Swensen.
• “Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): Application to Elementary Education”. At AT-TIES Together 2023 in Salem, Oregon, April 25, 2023, 90 minute instructional session presented by S Saavedra and D Swensen.
• “Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): Application to Adolescents and Transition to Adulthood”. At AT-TIES Together 2023 in Salem, Oregon, April 25, 2023, 90 minute instructional session presented by S Saavedra and D Swensen.
• “Using the SATCo for Adaptive Positioning Decisions”, 90-min virtual webinar as part of The Well Equipped Therapist! School-based OT & PT Symposium March 29, 2023
• “Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): Administration, Scoring and Psychometric Properties”, 90-min virtual webinar as part of The Well Equipped Therapist! School-based OT & PT Symposium March 29, 2023
• “Segmental Approach to Postural Control”, 4-hour virtual Keynote presentation for NeuroDevelopmental Treatment Association 2023 Annual Conference, March 8-9, 2023
• “A Segmental Approach to Postural Control” Movement Recovery Seminar Series, Columbia University, 1-hour virtual presentation, September 16, 2022 by Sandra Saavedra
• “Postural contexts for educational settings: Is a segmental approach right for you?” 2-hour virtual, recorded presentation forannual conference of Minnesota School-Based OT/PT Institute, October 4, 2021. Presented by Sandra Saavedra
• “Using technology to enhance opportunities for posture control in non-ambulatory children”. Virtual podium presentation at II International Symposium on Technology in Rehabilitation: Neuropediatrics, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 2-3, 2021. Presented by Sandra Saavedra
• “Engineering approaches to identify the reactive postural control system in children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy”. Virtual podium presentation at II International Symposium on Technology in Rehabilitation: Neuropediatrics, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 2-3, 2021. Presented by Adam Goodworth, co-authored by Sandra Saavedra
• “Using wearable sensors to detect postural behavior in children with severe cerebral palsy”. Virtual podium presentation at II International Symposium on Technology in Rehabilitation: Neuropediatrics, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 2-3, 2021. Presented by Patricia Mellodge, co-authored by Sandra Saavedra and Linda Tran
• “Segmental approach to postural control: research updates” presented as a virtual research seminar for the following locations:
• Kinesiology graduate seminar, Washington State University, April 29, 2021
• Neuro-Rehabilitation Seminar, University of Southern California, March 26, 2021
• Robotics and rehabilitation (ROAR) laboratory, Columbia University, December 9, 2020
• ELSASS Foundation, Copenhagen, Denmark October 23, 2020
• “Introduction to the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): An Introduction to its Application in Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury”. Steel Assembly Webinar April 23, 2021 presented by S. Saavedra, L. Leonmachado, A. Behrman
• Texas Regional Education in Schools Centers, virtual webinar on SATCo with Carlo Vialu of Apply EBP, April 9, 2021
• “Introduction to the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo): An Introduction to its Application in Educational Settings”. Hosted by Regional Services for Orthopedically Impaired, Oregon, March 11-12, 2021, virtual 2-day conference presented by S Saavedra and D Swensen.
• ApplyEBP continuing education webinars on demand:Introduction to SATCo (Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control),Using SATCo for adaptive positioning decisions
• Online training (on demand) for SATCo via Neurorecovery Learning
• “Postural Contexts: Segmental approach to positioning for function in educational settings” invited webinar for School-Based Physical Therapy Special Interest Group, May 5, 2020
• “Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control: SATCo administration, scoring and application of segmental principles for training posture control” invited speaker for two day continuing education course, second speaker Mackenzie Roberts from U of Louisville, at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, Chicago IL, June 2021-postponed due to Covid 19.
• “Segmental Approach to Positioning in the Classroom: Improving Participation for Children with Postural Deficits” invited speaker for two day continuing education course, second speaker Denise Swensen, at AT-TIES Together: Promoting Accessible Education & Universal Design for Learning Conference, Salem OR, April 20-22, 2020,postponed due to Covid 19.
• “Using Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control to optimize and enhance function.” Invited speaker for Therapies in the School Conference, Education Resources, Inc. Framington, MA, Nov 22, 2019 presented with Jocelyn Newell and Susan Cecere
• “The missing link: discriminating clinical signs of constraint on posture and movement.” Invited speaker for Therapies in the School Conference, Education Resources, Inc. Framington, MA, Nov 22, 2019
• “Emergence of upright posture: an engineer/clinician collaboration to map typical and atypical control mechanisms” invited speaker for Pediatric NeuroRecovery Summit, Louisville, KY, May 16-17, 2019
• “Effect of postural strategies on development of feeding skills, Part 1 and Part 2”, Two 2-hour educational sessions, invited speaker for 2018 Feeding Seminar, Salem, OR Nov 29-30, 2018
• “Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control: SATCo administration, scoring and application of segmental principles for training posture control” invited speaker for two day continuing education course, second speaker Danielle Bellows, at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, Chicago IL, March 8-9, 2019.
• “Introduction to the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) and implications for treatment” 6-hour hands on lecture/lab as part of a pilot hybrid course for Nationwide Children’s Medical Center, Columbus, OH October 12, 2017
• “Training Trunk Control: Is a Segmental Approach Right for You?” invited speaker for annual Arkansas physical therapy conference. The same talk was given twice during the same day, Fayetteville, Arkansas, October 6-7, 2017
• “Introduction to the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) and implications for school based therapists” 6-hour hands on lecture/lab as part of a pilot hybrid course for Prince George County Public School District, Bowie, MD May 31, 2017
• “Teaching the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control: Lessons Learned 2013-2016” invited speaker at the STRATEGY international collaborative workshop held at The Movement Centre, Oswestry UK, August 15-20, 2016
• “A New Paradigm for Exploring Sensorimotor Contributions to Trunk Control” invited speaker at 1st Annual MARC Symposium at Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA November 6-7, 2015
• “Pediatric Balance Laboratory Research Overview” presented at Section on Pediatrics Research Summit IV, Alexandria, VA, Oct 15-17, 2015.
• “Segmental approach to posture evaluation and treatment for children with severe disability” at 1st Annual MARC Symposium at Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA November 6-7, 2015
• “Sitting Is Not As Easy As You Think—Sensory contributions to typical and atypical development of trunk control”. Invited oral presentation with Adam Goodworth as part of The University at the Cutting Edge, Hawktober Weekend, University of Hartford, Oct 18, 2014
• “Introduction to Targeted Training for Trunk Control” 2-hour consultation/in-services for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (Farmington Site October 1, Glastonbury Site October 2, Hartford Hospital Site October 3) and for Early Intervention Therapists (at University of Hartford, October 3, 2013). Co-presenters Penny Butler, MSc, PhD, FCSP; Sarah Bew BSc (honors), MCSP; and Derek Curtis MSc, PT
• “Development of Trunk Control: Segmental Contributions to Posture, Reaching and Stepping”, invited oral presentation, Connecticut Pediatric Special Interest Group, West Hartford, Connecticut, May 30, 2013.
• “Development of Trunk Control: Segmental Contributions to Posture, Reaching and Stepping”, invited oral presentation, Research Round Table Discussion, ENHP Day 2013, West Hartford, Connecticut, May 3, 2013.
• “Development of Trunk Control: Segmental Contributions to Posture, Reaching and Stepping” invited oral presentation, Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 30, 2012.
• “Introduction to the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control” invited oral presentation, Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 23, 2012.
• “Pediatric Balance Considerations and Deficits”, invited speaker for the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Seminar, The Effect of AFO’s on Balance. Chicago, Illinois October 28, 2011.
• “Contributions of spinal segments to control of posture in TD infants and children with CP”, invited speaker, Center for Research in Spasticity and Neurorehabilitation, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, March 30, 2009.
• “A new clinical tool for documenting specific motor deficits in core stability”, invited speaker, Danish Fysiotherapy conference, Odense, Denmark, March 28, 2009.
• “Spinal control: New evidence for assessment and treatment”, invited oral presentation, Danish Fysiotherapy conference, Odense, Denmark, March 26, 2009.
• “Contribution of spinal segments to control of posture”, invited oral presentation, Legacy Emanual Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation Inservice, Portland, OR, February 14, 2008.
• “Contribution of spinal segments to control of posture”, invited oral presentation, The Movement Foundation, Oswestry England April 24, 2007.