Sandra Saavedra, MS, PT, PhD

• University of Michigan
  Developmental Neuromotor Control Laboratory
  School of Kinesiology
  Ann Arbor, Michigan
  Postdoctoral Research Fellow
• 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
• University of Southern California
  Department of Physical Therapy
  Los Angeles, California
  Master of Science and Certificate in Physical Therapy
• University of Oregon
  College of Arts and Sciences
  Eugene, Oregon
  Bachelor of Science in Biology

Peer Reviewed Publications

• Jagaiah, 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 1120(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 Ther 28(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 Neurol 57(4): 309-310
• Saavedra S, Bellows D, (2014) Commentary on “Sitting Postural Control Affects the Development of Focused Attention in Children with Cerebral Palsy”. Pediatr Phys Ther 27(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”. Pediatr Phys Ther 26(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 Neurophysiol 108: 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. (in revision)

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 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. Saavedra and 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 Coordination in Children” poster presentation, Therapists in Educational Settings (TIES) conference Eugene, OR April 16, 2006.
• “Eye Hand Coordination in 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 for annual 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.