Best Dr Dayna Pool Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 213 (Dr Ginny Paleg) 51:06

2d ago51:06

51:06

Are we focusing too much on body structures and functions? Should participation and the F-words—Fun, Family, Friends, Fitness, Function, and Future—be leading the way? Dr. Ginny Paleg is a pediatric physiotherapist specializing in children with severe motor impairments, particularly those at GMFCS Levels IV and V. She holds a Master’s in Physical T…

1
F-Words: Fitness with Nate! 7:40

8d ago7:40

7:40

This week we catch up with Nate! An incredible eight-year-old boy who talks about his day, including his experiences at school....from recess being too short to playing with friends on the playground, (note, he's too cool for games like chasey! 😉) From being a Telethon 2024 star to all his extra curricular activities, Nate is a busy boy - focused o…

1
Pre-EACD/IAACD 2025 5:29

9d ago5:29

5:29

Interrupting normal broadcasting for a quick announcement! The ResearchWorks team are heading to Heidelberg Germany in a few weeks time to interview guests from across Europe and around the globe! From video-casts to audio-casts, it will be a full integration into the conference and we're excited to bring you all the latest in research from Heidelb…

1
F-words: Fitness with Taj and Danica! 13:44

15d ago13:44

13:44

We're joined this week by special guest, Taj and his mother, Danica! The conversation focuses on Taj's life, particularly his passion for footy (AFL) and whilst he is a big fan of the Geelong Cats, he is happy to support the West Coast Eagles if they're playing of course! 😉 Taj shares a recent highlight when he got the opportunity to play during ha…

1
Episode 212 (Álvaro Hidalgo-Robles) 55:18

16d ago55:18

55:18

Identifying and Evaluating Young Children with Developmental Central Hypotonia: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Tools Children with developmental central hypotonia have reduced muscle tone secondary to non-progressive damage to the brain or brainstem. Children may have transient delays, mild or global functional impairments, and the lack of a…

1
F-Words: FITNESS! 12:52

21d ago12:52

12:52

This week's F word is Fitness! Mobility is medicine and this week, we talk about what movement means for our bodies. This is relevant to all of us because long, uninterrupted sitting is not great for our health. Our goal is to break up long periods of sitting to move more and be physically active. Movement is great for our lungs, digestive system, …

1
Episode 211 (Associate Professor Paula Chagas) 54:14

23d ago54:14

54:14

Gross Motor Family Report: Refinement and evaluation of psychometric properties Elton D. D. Magalhães, Peter Rosenbaum, Marilyn Wright, F. Virginia Wright, Lesley Pritchard, Kennea M. A. Ayupe, Ana Carolina de Campos, Rosane S. Morais, Hercules R. Leite, Paula S. C. Chagas Abstract Aim To refine the Gross Motor Family Report (GM-FR) using parents' …

1
F-Words: FAMILY 19:25

28d ago19:25

19:25

This week we continues the discussion on the topic of family, reflecting on our previous conversation with Jen Prior! It's important to emphasise that family isn't limited to blood relatives but includes the people you trust and do life with. It is integral to the "f-words" because it provides the why, how, and when for decisions, including pursuin…

1
Episode 210 (Professor Gareth Baynam) 52:48

29d ago52:48

52:48

Professor Gareth Baynam is a globally recognised clinical geneticist, researcher, and advocate for rare diseases. He is the Director of the Rare Care Centre at Perth Children's Hospital and the Head of the Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies. With a career dedicated to improving the diagnosis, management, and care of individuals …

1
FAMILY - a parents perspective (Jen Prior)! 47:46

1M ago47:46

47:46

We catch up with Jen Prior - an incredible mother (to the one and only Emily Prior), an advocate and a founding member of the Healthy Strides Foundation! We get to speak with her about all things F-Words and FAMILY in particular!By Dr Dayna Pool and Kate Dolling

1
Epsiode 209 (Associate Clinical Professor Anita Gross and Associate Professor Nikki Milne) 1:09:52

1M ago1:09:52

1:09:52

Spinal manipulation and mobilisation in paediatrics - an international evidence-based position statement for physiotherapists Anita R Gross, Kenneth A Olson, Jan Pool, Annalie Basson, Derek Clewley, Jenifer L Dice, Nikki Milne PMID: 38855972 PMCID: PMC11216248 DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2024.2332026 Abstract Introduction: An international taskforce of c…

1
FUN - with Emily Prior! 20:33

2M ago20:33

20:33

We're back with a 2nd episode with the incredible Emily Prior! This time we discuss FUN - one of the very best F-words! 🥳By Dr Dayna Pool and Kate Dolling

1
Episode 208 (Professor Alicia Spittle) 56:24

2M ago56:24

56:24

Early Detection and Early Intervention - where are we now (and what does the future hold)? The last time we had Alicia on the pod, we spoke about the Cochrane Review she led titled “Early developmental intervention programmes provided post hospital discharge to prevent motor and cognitive impairment in preterm infants” which was published in 2024. …

1
FUN - a parents perspective (Emma)! 26:03

2M ago26:03

26:03

This week we catch up with Emma! An incredible advocate and parent, she describes herself as a big kid and a perfect example of this week's F-word, F.U.N, in action! Emma's thoughts on the importance of fun really hit home for me. It's so easy to get bogged down in appointments and therapies, especially in the beginning, and forget that the simple …

1
Episode 207 (Dr Michelle Jackman) 46:19

2M ago46:19

46:19

Implementing Clinical Practice Guidelines for Improving Function in Cerebral Palsy: Development of a Fidelity Tool In this study, the research team developed a 21-item fidelity tool to help clinicians implement evidence-based guidelines for improving function in children with cerebral palsy. Designed for goal setting, intervention, and reflection, …

1
F-Words: FUN! 17:38

2M ago17:38

17:38

Why FUN matters so much in therapy and everyday life! We kick things off by talking about how a lack of enjoyment can make therapy feel like a chore—limiting engagement, motivation, and progress. FUN doesn’t mean easy; it means finding joy in the journey and making therapy something kids want to come back to. We share our own experiences of how the…

1
Episode 206 (Professor Nick Gottarrdo) 1:07:56

2M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

Professor Nick Gottardo walks us through medulloblastomas - a comprehensive master class for clinicians and researchers. Expect to learn about early signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Dr Nick breaks this down beautifully. What was really clear throughout our discussion was that collaboration is key. Given the incidence of medul…

1
FRIENDS - with Emily Prior! 22:26

2M ago22:26

22:26

Friends with Emily Prior! Model, Actor, Activist and friend (see what we did there! 😉) of the show - the returning Emily Prior. Emily has appeared on our sister podcast ResearchWorks and is here for a 2 episode stint with Dayna and Kate! An amazing conversation with an amazing young woman!By Dr Dayna Pool and Kate Dolling

1
Episode 205 (Dr Ashleigh Thornton and Dr Dayna Pool) 37:24

2M ago37:24

37:24

All about knowledge translation A special episode with our illustrious hosts before we catch up with Professor Nick Gottardo, Professor Alicia Spittle, Professor Andrew Whitehouse, Dr Gareth Baynam, Assoc. Professor Nikki Milne and Assoc. Clinical Professor Anita Gross amongst many others!By Dr Dayna Pool and Dr Ashleigh Thornton

1
FRIENDS - a parents perspective (Rynae)! 22:57

3M ago22:57

22:57

This week we catch up with Rynae to talk about FRIENDS - a parent's perspective! Kate's write-up to come!By Dr Dayna Pool and Kate Dolling

1
Episode 204 (Professor Roslyn Boyd) 56:40

3M ago56:40

56:40

Randomized Comparison Trial of Rehabilitation Very Early for Infants with Congenital Hemiplegia Roslyn N Boyd, Susan Greaves, Jenny Ziviani, Iona Novak, Nadia Badawi, Kerstin Pannek, Catherine Elliott, Margaret Wallen, Catherine Morgan, Jane Valentine, Lisa Findlay, Andrea Guzzetta, Koa Whittingham, Robert S Ware, Simona Fiori, Nathalie L Maitre, J…

1
F-Words: Friends 15:36

3M ago15:36

15:36

As a parent, it can be easy to miss the importance of incorporating friendships and social-emotional development into your child's therapy goals much earlier.... In the beginning, there's such a strong focus on early intervention and neuroplasticity that it's easy to put friendships on the back burner. Now I see that mobility and fitness are gatewa…

1
Episode 203 (Assoc. Prof Brian Hoare and Dr Sue Greaves) 1:09:10

3M ago1:09:10

1:09:10

Upper Limb Therapy for Infants and Young Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Clinical Framework Susan Greaves, Brian Hoare PMID: 39598017 PMCID: PMC11594546 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13226873 Abstract Early detection and rehabilitation interventions are essential to optimise motor function in infants and young children with unilateral cerebral palsy. …

1
FUNction - a(nother) parents perspective (Kellie)! 21:35

3M ago21:35

21:35

This week we're joined by Kellie! In this episode of TheraBytes, we get to speak with Kellie, the mother of Nate, a child with cerebral palsy, about function and the F-words. Kellie shares her experiences and insights on what function looked like for Nate in his early years, and what it looks like today. She emphasises the importance of adapting to…

1
Episode 202 (Dr Stacey Cleary) 54:02

3M ago54:02

54:02

Experiences of participation in daily life of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy: A scoping review Stacey L Cleary, Prue E Morgan, Margaret Wallen, Ingrid Honan, Nora Shields, Freya E Munzel, James R Plummer, Cassandra Assaad, Petra Karlsson, Evelyn Culnane, Jacqueline Y Ding, Carlee Holmes, Iain M Dutia, Dinah S Reddihough, Christine…

1
FUNction - a parents perspective (Noraishah)! 18:36

3M ago18:36

18:36

This week we welcome back Noraishah! Noraishah's back to discuss FUNction and its meaning in the context of therapy and child development. In this episode, Noraishah shares her personal experiences and insights as a parent, particularly focusing on her son's journey and the evolution of her understanding of FUNction. Initially, her focus was simply…

1
F-Words: Function! 14:29

4M ago14:29

14:29

We introduce our first F word of the season, FUNCTION. The definition of function is what people do and luckily for children, play is what they do. What we want for our children is for them to be able to play. We discuss that in the “old days” treatment looked different, the idea was to “fix” what was wrong in order for the person to function but i…

1
Season 3 (We're back!) 17:57

4M ago17:57

17:57

We're back for a new season of TheraBytes! 🥳 We have an incredibly special guest in the studio this week - we catch up with Noraishah, co-host of the 1st season of the pod, joining Dayna and Kate for a brilliant look back at our past 2 seasons! If you're new to the pod, be sure to check out this episode, it's great place to start! 🎙️ As for Season …

1
Episode 201 (Dr Rainer Blank and Dr Sebastian Schroeder) 29:52

5M ago29:52

29:52

To round off 2024 and as an extra special lead-in to a stellar 2025 ahead, we have a holiday special - all about the EACD & IAACD 2025 Conference to be held in Heidelberg Germany! 🇩🇪 It's going to be a very unique conference this year as a combined EACD/IAACD event - so join with Dr Sebastian Schroeder and Dr Rainer Blank as they speak with our ver…

1
Cerebral Palsy - ASD and ADHD 15:13

6M ago15:13

15:13

It can be so hard to figure out exactly what's going on with our kids, especially when they have cerebral palsy. It feels like everything gets put under that one umbrella, even when we know there might be more to the story. It's really important to remember that cerebral palsy doesn't explain every challenge our children face. They might be struggl…

1
What makes a therapy controversial? 22:33

6M ago22:33

22:33

What makes a therapy controversial? (Part 1) On our last podcast episode “how to ask for a second opinion” I mentioned a therapy we tried when our son was younger, saying I wished I had done more research and asked for second opinions from our medical team. This brought about more questions and conversation about all the therapies available and fam…

1
Asking for a 2nd opinion 21:52

7M ago21:52

21:52

This week's podcast episode focused on a question that I'm sure many parents have asked themselves: how to politely but confidently ask for a second opinion when unsure or unhappy with a medical diagnosis, outcome, or lack of outcome. If you have concerns about the care of your child or loved one, don't hesitate to voice them. You can politely ask …

1
The F-words! #!@*? 19:04

7M ago19:04

19:04

As a parent of a child with a neurodisability, I'm always looking for ways to make therapy more effective and meaningful, and the concept of the "six Fs" really resonated with me. What I loved most was how practical the F-words are. They remind us to consider the bigger picture when setting goals – not just focusing on physical achievements like wa…

1
The pre-term risk of neurodisability 14:38

7M ago14:38

14:38

By Dr Dayna Pool and Kate Dolling

1
The seasonality of therapy 18:01

7M ago18:01

18:01

In this episode, we explore some of the reasons why therapy can be put on hold and the view that therapy can be seasonal. It is simply not possible or healthy to have ongoing therapy. The purpose of therapy is really to bridge the gap between where children are right now and where they want to be. So having periods of time to work on a goal is just…

1
Episode 200 (Marissa Smith, Dr Dayna Pool, Dr Ashleigh Thornton) 57:04

7M ago57:04

57:04

incredible! The team at the ResearchWorks Podcast are celebrating 200 episodes! With over 4 seasons, invited collaborators with the EACD - European Academy of Childhood-onset Disabilities Conference and the AusACPDM - the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and Transformative Practice Award Winners for 2024, it has bee…

1
Episode 199 (Professor Ben Jackson) 1:10:04

7M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

An incredible episode with Director of Research - Professor Ben Jackson from The Kids Research Institute Australia - a masterful lesson in communication skills. Our role as clinicians involves a whole lot of communication and there are evidence based approaches for how we communicate. This is so important because whilst communication skills are oft…

1
The latest interventions, research and evidence 16:46

7M ago16:46

16:46

Trustworthy research and the latest news in the world of neurodisability Dayna and the whole Healthy Strides team recently attended the AusACPDM conference on the Gold Coast. I sat down with Dayna to ask the important questions and the key takeaways were: The content of the conference confirmed that Healthy Strides is sitting at the front end when …

1
Episode 198 (Dr Carly Luke) 54:30

8M ago54:30

54:30

Motor optimality score-revised (mos-r) and hammersmith infant neurological examination (hine) predict high likelihood of autism at 12 months corrected age in a developmentally vulnerable infant cohort. Dr Carly Luke is a Physiotherapist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, the Unive…

1
Professional (adaptive) sports and the Paralympics! 14:51

8M ago14:51

14:51

Professional sporting and Paralympics Today we discussed what modified and accessible sports are available to families who might be feeling motivated after watching the Paralympics. If your child has an interest and enjoys or has friends already playing a sport they want to play with, then you can start there. Do they like throwing a ball, bouncing…

1
Episode 197 (Dr Iain Dutia) 59:58

8M ago59:58

59:58

The power of Para sport: the effect of performance-focused swimming training on motor function in adolescents with cerebral palsy and high support needs (GMFCS IV) - a single-case experimental design with 30-month follow-up. Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of a performance-focused swimming programme on motor function in p…

1
Therapy at daycare and school 14:49

8M ago14:49

14:49

What is the perfect balance of therapy and school? On today's podcast Dayna and I discuss what the ideal balance could look like once your child starts school or daycare. Being told it was time to slow down on therapy and let our child be a child was an important permission I needed to alleviate the parental guilt associated with reducing the thera…

1
Episode 196 (Monica Toohey) 59:33

8M ago59:33

59:33

Effectiveness of postural interventions in cerebral palsy: umbrella systematic review. Monica Toohey , Remy Blatch-Williams , Kristian Budini , Astrid Ferreira , Alexandra Griffin , Ashleigh Hines , Michelle Jackman , Karin Lind , Jill Massey , Maria Mc Namara , Jenna Mitchell , Catherine Morgan , Esther Norfolk , Madison CB. Paton , Daniel Polybla…

1
Daycare and Neurodisability 16:44

8M ago16:44

16:44

This was another really important topic we discussed today as it's a question we get a lot in the clinic and that is about sending a child with a neurodisability to daycare. There are many reasons a family will send a child to daycare, so the parents can work or get some respite or it may be to socialise their child. Dayna and I discuss the benefit…

1
Episode 195 (Associate Professor Ewan Cameron) 58:01

8M ago58:01

58:01

Ewan is the director of Malaria Risk Stratification at the Kids Research Institute Australia. With over a decade of international research experience spanning the fields of astronomy, statistics, machine learning and epidemiology, Dr Ewan Cameron returned to Australia in February 2020 as an Associate Professor at Curtin University and Honorary Rese…

1
When to present to ED (or call an ambulance) 16:34

8M ago16:34

16:34

When to present to ED (or call an ambulance) A lot of the time it can be very clear when you need to call an ambulance or present to ED such as for seizures, breathing issues, and severe illness but there is also a lot of gray area with some of our children and i know a lot of us do our best to avoid the “bugs” in hospital’s and unnecessary medical…

1
Episode 194 (Dr Maya Hayden-Evans) 48:22

8M ago48:22

48:22

Validating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for Autism in a Sample of Australian School-Aged Children on the Spectrum. Assessing functioning of children on the autism spectrum is necessary to determine the level of support they require to participate in everyday activities across contexts. The Interna…

1
Troubleshooting with a Non Verbal Child 16:13

9M ago16:13

16:13

How to troubleshoot when something is wrong with a non verbal child. It can be so distressing for everyone involved when something is wrong with your child and they can't tell you what, it's really hard to know where to start sometimes, when to take action and who can help. A lot of families have to rely on intuition and sometimes this intuition wo…

1
Episode 193 (Marissa Smith and Dr Dayna Pool) 57:46

9M ago57:46

57:46

The pod now has many (thousands!) of new listeners and we decided to bring forward our annual Q and A session with the hosts of the show. A little more backstory of each host, a look back at why we do what we do, some incredible highlights you might have missed and why the pod is a firm proponent of evidence based practices. We cover off many topic…

1
Screen-time, how much is too much? 17:56

9M ago17:56

17:56

This has been a common question and topic not only within the neurodisability community but also the families and carers of neurotypical children. What is too much screen time and when is screen time a bad thing? The research covered in this article is available here: Mallawaarachchi S, Burley J, Mavilidi M, et al. Early Childhood Screen Use Contex…

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