Amy Bailes, PhD, PT, PCS: ABC's of CP

On this episode with Dr. Amy Bailes, we discuss the Gross Motor Functional Classification System (the GMFCS), the Gross Motor Functional Measure (the GMFM), and the corresponding motor curves. The GMFCS is an important classification system that is relatively easy to understand and it helps create a shared language and framework for understanding a person with CP's physical function. This can be very helpful for patients, families and providers of all sorts, especially as it relates to both and acceptance and understanding of the diagnosis and family-centered shared decision making.

Dr. Bailes PT, PhD, PCS is a physical therapist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Bailes has more than 30 years of pediatric clinical experience and has been recognized by the APTA as a Pediatric Clinical Specialist since 1993. She began her career at Boston Children's Hospital, moved to Los Angeles and worked at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and has been at Cincinnati Children's for 25 years. Her clinical practice focuses primarily on the care of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She also serves on the executive leadership committee of the Cerebral Palsy Research Network. With doctoral training in clinical epidemiology, her area of research focus includes health services and quality improvement with a particular emphasis on physical therapy intervention for individuals with CP.

Resources discussed on the episode:

Can Child

https://canchild.ca/en/resources/42-gross-motor-function-classification-system-expanded-revised-gmfcs-e-r

MyCP

https://mycp.org/

Caregiver Knowledge and Preferences for Gross Motor Function Information in Cerebral Palsy

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QjgUESJSYhbpFZIuFflHSu8MM_bjpPBT/view?usp=sharing

Stability of the Gross Motor Functional Classification System, Manual Ability Classification System, and Communication Function Classification System

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mX3zC87cbMW5U2-loOevL84xqi2kCM5U/view?usp=sharing

Stability of the Gross Motor Function Classification System in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: A Retrospective Cohort Registry Study

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BHvTuUfQO2oQ_h0gwrB59NSPH1oAhU3f/view?usp=sharing