International Congress on Early Sensorimotor Development and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

July 01, 2025 - July 02, 2025

Conference

Faculty of Medicine - Amphitheatre C
10 boulevard Tonnelé
37000 Tours - FR
France

Presentation

Transformative advances in research methodologies, rigor, and technology have profoundly impacted our understanding of how sensorimotor features impact neurodevelopment. The complexity of how neurodevelopmental disorders develop, emerge, are identified, and respond to interventions in the earliest months or even days of life is of utmost interest. Research advances include:

Early screening and diagnosis, genetic testing, predictive tools, intensive therapies, and a better understanding of sensory processing and parent-child interactions have deeply advanced screening, diagnosis, and treatment especially in Autism and Cerebral Palsy
Technical advances in digital health, acoustic analysis, smartphone applications, machine learning, markerless motion capture, and wearables offer the promise of automation and remote monitoring and improved health care that is independent of geography
Open science, research consortia, resource sharing, and large-scale video repositories have revolutionized the conduct of developmental science with methods that are primed for neurodevelopmental disorders
Genuine engagement with patients, parents, and community partners and inclusion of patient-reported outcome measures has made combined expertise complementary, explicit, and tangible
Rapid advancement in pediatric neuroimaging across modalities has supported the understanding of early brain development and behavioral synchrony

The potential for ultra-early detection, recovery, and rehabilitative treatments in Neurodevelopmental Disorders with infants and families has never been greater. The International Congress on Early Sensorimotor Development and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities invites experts, clinicians, and researchers from all over the world to explore the forefront of early identification, intervention strategies, and impacts on life course and culture. This event facilitates a dynamic exchange of ideas, blending foundational developmental research, neuroscience, clinical expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative research methodologies.

This international meeting will facilitate exchanges among leading and emerging researchers, providing an opportunity to share knowledge and expertise in sensorimotor function. Experts in early childhood development, including those from diverse backgrounds such as psychiatry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, language development, voice production, neonatology, and medicine will highlight innovative approaches to early detection and treatment.

Held at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tours in collaboration with iBrain, INSERM, and the EXAC-T Center for Autism, this conference offers an academic setting that fosters intellectual exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration. Set in the historic city of Tours in the Loire Valley, rich in cultural heritage and surrounded by castles, gardens, and university life, this venue provides an inspiring backdrop for forward-thinking discussions on the future of ultra-early sensorimotor development and its role in neurodevelopmental health.

CONVENORS

Jill Heathcock, LE STUDIUM Research Professorship
FROM: The Ohio State University - USA
IN RESIDENCE AT: Imaging and Brain laboratory (iBrain) / INSERM, University of Tours - FR

Frédérique Bonnet-Brilhault, Delphine Mitanchez & Marianne Latinus,
Imaging and Brain laboratory (iBrain) / INSERM, University of Tours - FR

Confirmed speakers

Petra Hüppi, Geneva University Neurocenter, Switzerland
Stacey Dusing, University of Southern California, USA
Kim Scott, Creighton University, USA
Sahar Moghimi, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, France
Nadège Roche-Labarbe, Université de Caen Normandie, France

Preliminary programme

Tuesday 1st July 2025

12:30 Welcome lunch & registration
13:45 Official opening: Sophie Gabillet (Le Studium), Jill Heathcock (USA)
14:00 Petra Hüppi, Geneva University Neurocenter - CH
15:00 Oral Presentations
16:00 Coffee break & poster session
17:00 Stacey Dusing - Key Ingredients for Early Sensory Motor Interventions for Infants born preterm or with early brain injury?
18:00 Location change
19h30 Congress Dinner

Wednesday 2nd July 2025

09:00 Sahar Moghimi, Université de Picardie Jules Verne - FR
10:00 Oral Presentations
11:00 Coffee break & poster session
12:00 Kim Scott, Creighton University - USA
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Nadège Roche-Labarbe - Somatosensory prediction in newborns: effect of prematurity and relationship with neurodevelopment at age 2
15:00 Oral Presentations
16:00 Jill Heathcock and Marianne Latinus
17:00 Discussion and Awards
18:00 Optional social and networking event

Location

Faculty of Medicine of Tours

10, Boulevard Tonnellé - 37000 TOURS - FR

Located in the heart of Tours, the Faculty of Medicine is part of the University of Tours and stands as a renowned institution for medical education and research. Established in 1969, it has trained generations of healthcare professionals and researchers, contributing to medical advancements in France and beyond. With modern teaching facilities, cutting-edge research laboratories, and close ties to the university hospital, the Faculty provides an ideal environment for academic excellence. Participants will be welcomed in this dynamic setting, where historical heritage meets medical innovation, and will have the opportunity to explore the rich culture and gastronomy of the Loire Valley.

General Information

Congress Venue

Faculty of Medicine of Tours, 10 boulevard Tonnellé 37000 Tours, France

Dates

Tuesday, 1 July & Wednesday 2 July 2025

Language

The official language of the Congress is English

Welcome pack and Name Badge

Upon arrival you will receive a welcome pack that includes the printed material of the Conference and your name badge will be given to you at the reception . Please wear your name badge at all times during the Conference and to all official Conference events.

Invitation Letters

An official letter of invitation facilitating the obtention of an entry visa can be sent upon request . In order to receive an invitation letter for visa purposes, send an email to maurine.villiers@lestudium-ias.fr. Please note that :
- we only issue an official letter once the payment of the registration fee has been validated.
- such letters do not represent a commitment on the part of the Organisers to provide any financial assistance.

Certificate of attendance

After the conference, in order to receive a certficate of participation, send an email to maurine.villiers@lestudium-ias.fr

How to get there ?

By train:

* Tours centre station
1.5 hour trip from Paris (Montparnasse)

* Saint Pierre des Corps (4km from Tours town centre)
Bus 5, 20 minutes trip to Tours centre station

> Plan your trip by train: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/

By car:

GPS: 47.3910171,0.68927
Please note that you can't park in front of the Hôtel de Ville.
Paid car parks nearby :
Parking Gare, Place du Général Leclerc, 37000 Tours
Parking Tours Nationale, 5 rue Emile Zola, 37000 Tours

By plane:

*Arrival at Roissy Charles De Gaulle (CDG) airport:
Take RER B in direction to Saint Rémy Les Chevreuse, step out at Denfert Rochereau Stop
Metro 6 in direction to Charles de Gaulle Etoile, step out at Montparnasse Bienvenue Stop

> Then take a train to Tours (see "by train" section above)

*Arrival at Paris-Orly (ORY) airport:

Take Orlyval Shuttle from Aéroport d’Orly in direction Antony, step out at Antony Stop

Take RER B in direction to Mitry Clave, step out at Denfert Rochereau Stop

Take Metro 6 in direction to Charles de Gaulle Etoile, step out at Montparnasse Bienvenue Stop

> Then take a train to Tours (see "by train" section above)

From Tours train station to the Faculty of medicine:

Take Bus 5 at Place du Général Leclerc in direction to Parc Grandmont
Step out at Arago Stop
Walk 10 minutes in direction to UFR Médecine Tours, 10 Bd Tonnellé"

Pricing

(Including two lunches, a gala dinner ,a guided visit and the coffee breaks)

150€

Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be made in writing and sent by email to the Registration Department
Up to 30 days prior to conference start – Full refund less €50 handling fee
Less than 30 days prior to conference start – No refund

GMA Course - July 3-5, 2025

👉 Go to the webpage of the GMA Course

Basic Course – The Prechtl General Movement Assessment

Tutor: Vittorio Belmonti

vittorio.belmonti@fsm.unipi.it

-in person in Tours France!

-in French

-limited registration (25 participants)

We are proud to offer the Basic General Movement Assessment courses in tandem with the Internatinal Congress on Sensorimotor Development and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Participants can attend the GMA course only (in French) or in combination with the Scientific Congress (in English).

Research conducted in the last 20 years has shown the qualitative assessment of spontaneous movement in the fetus, newborn, and young infant is an early and reliable indicator for diagnosis and prognosis of neurological disorders. Compelling evidence is now available that qualitative assessment of General Movements —a specific type of spontaneous movement—under the age of five months is the best predictor of cerebral palsy. This course fulfills the standards specified by the Generalized Movement Trust (www.general-movements-trust.info). The course will consist of lessons, demonstration, and discussion of video-recordings. Lectures will alternate with exercises in small groups with videos prepared by the tutors. At the end of the course participants be required to take a final test in order to receive a certificate of reliability in this method of assessment.