Rethinking our acceptance of Gross Motor Plateaus in Cerebral Palsy: Could thinking and thus treating from a different perspective change the course of progression?

By rethinking Cerebral Palsy from a new perspective, the MAES Therapy Approach and Framework were developed and aim to enhance neurodevelopmental therapy by focusing on the following key components: •⁠ ⁠Clinical Reasoning: Understanding the specific skills that the brain needs to develop in each patient as well as understanding mechanisms that lead to plateau. •⁠ ⁠Structured Observation: Systematically observing how a child performs tasks of varying complexity to identify areas needing development. •⁠ ⁠Motivation: Encouraging the patient to enter and remain in a "learning zone," where they are engaged and able to make progress in their therapy. The components of this framework are highly interactive and interdependent. Each element supports and influences the others, creating a flexible yet cohesive structure that adapts to the needs of each patient. The ultimate goal is to foster a structured, insightful, and patient-centred approach to therapy, effectively promoting the development of essential skills in individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions. The presentation will include a clinical example illustrating the M.A.E.S. Approach.