The Mexican Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: new kid on the block.

Abstract

The American Academy of Cerebral Palsy (AACP) was founded in 1947 by a multidisciplinary group of physicians and surgeons who understood the complexity of cerebral palsy (CP), both in diagnosis and treatment. Over the next three decades, the AACP expanded its scope to include comorbidities that affect patients with CP and other developmental disorders. The increased interest in disorders of communication, behavior, attention, learning, and psychosocial problems attracted other involved professionals to the annual meetings – not least psychologists, speech pathologists, and teachers. In 1976 the AACP changed its name to the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) to represent and advocate not only for those affected by CP but also those with any childhood-onset disability.1 For nearly 70 years, the AACPDM has attracted professionals from all over the world, which led to the formation in 1986 of an International Affairs Committee. However, due to language barriers, geographical distance, and economic realities, many members were unable to attend AACPDM meetings and take advantage of its educational opportunities. So in 2014 the AACPDM partnered with the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD) and the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AusACPDM) to found the International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability (IAACD).2 The goals of the IAACD are: to promote teaching and training for multidisciplinary professionals and caretakers in all aspects of childhood disability; to foster collaboration between all involved in the care of children and young people with disabilities including parents, caretakers, professionals, and communities; to partner with key individuals and organizations in support of the rights and privileges of children and young people with disabilities; to promote scientific and needs-driven research in childhood disability and to facilitate dissemination of results; to translate research findings into clinical practice across different regions and cultures; and to establish and implement a set of fundamental ethical and scientific standards for the IAACD and member academies. This global initiative has triggered widespread and enthusiastic interest in creating new academies around the world. These new academies may eventually join this international effort and bring us all closer together. In September 2014 a multidisciplinary group of Mexican health professionals met at the AACPDM annual meeting in San Diego, California to discuss the idea of creating a Mexican Academy. The group included neurologists, physiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, pediatricians, and a physical therapist. On March 9th, 2015 the Mexican Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (AMexPCTND) was legally constituted in that country (www.amexpctnd.org). The mission of this newly formed academy is to provide evidence-based multidisciplinary education to professionals involved in the care of patients with CP and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and to promote excellence in research and services that may benefit these patients in that country and other regions of Latin America. The AMexPCTND will have its first annual meeting from February 26th to 28th, 2016 in Mexico City, to be attended by national and international experts. The AMexPCTND looks forward to becoming a member of the IAACD. Congratulations to the leadership of this newly formed academy, the new kid on the block. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.