Back to the Challenge

The Challenge Training Workshop

  • Thursday March 12, 2026 and Wednesday April 1, 2026
  • 12:00 to 16:00 EST
This interactive workshop will focus on expanding participants’ thinking and enhancing clinical skills in assessment of advanced motor skills (Challenge) of children and youth who have CP.

What is the Challenge?

Motor measures currently used by pediatric physiotherapists do not fully capture advanced motor skill deficits in children in GMFCS I (i.e., able to run and jump independently but limited in speed and quality of movement). This gap may lead to serious evaluation issues, such that lack of understanding of their physical abilities/challenges may mean missed intervention opportunities to help these children achieve their gross motor and participation goals. The Challenge (Wilson et al., 2011; Glazebrook et al., 2013; Wright et al., 2018; Gibson et al., 2018; Sousa et al., 2021, Nordbye -Neilsen et al., 2021; Milascevic et al., 2022; Nordbye-Neilsen et al., 2024; Sousa et al., 2025) is a well-validated observational measure that assesses 20 advanced gross motor skills that tap into a child’s co-ordination, agility, balance, fitness and strength. It was developed by our research team to address this measurement gap. It can be used with children with CP age 6 years and up and are in GMFCS Level I, and with higher ability children in GMFCS II (i.e., able to walk and run slowly without an assistive device). A Rasch scaled version is also available for use (Wright et al., 2016). 
Write your awesome label here.
Empty space, drag to resize
Course overview
  • Instructor: Dr. Virginia Wright
  • Dates: March 12 and April 1, 2026
  • Time: Both sessions run from 12:00 to 16:00 EST
  • Format: 2 Zoom-based sessions (lecture style and group discussion)
  • Cost: $475 CAD
  • Online-certification testing included
  • Includes access to training videos and the Challenge materials (score form, manual, score sheet)

Who is this course for?

This workshop will be of interest to pediatric physiotherapists or physicians who have clinical experience with using the Gross Motor Function Measure or other gross motor tests with ambulatory children with CP (those in GMFCS Levels I and II) and want to learn additional ways of assessing the gross motor movement of these children.

Pediatric occupational therapists who actively use gross motor tests in their clinical practice or research may also be interested in taking part.

Challenge Workshop Objectives:

  • Review the current methods measuring advanced motor skills in children with CP
  • Learn about the content and structure of the Challenge and its potential uses
  • Become familiar with the Challenge’s generic and item-specific scoring system
  • Learn the process of administering and scoring a Challenge assessment through videos with typically developing children and then similar aged children with CP.
  • Score the performance of the Challenge by children with CP (videos) and apply Challenge scoring
  • Consider how a child’s body language provides additional valuable information on a child’s confidence, awareness and motor skill performance
  • Acquire tips for implementing the Challenge in clinical and research practice
  • Review the next steps of self-training using the Challenge video materials posted for  exclusive use of course participants
  • Outcomes website access to Challenge Criterion Test post-course
  • NEW: This course will also contain an introduction and access to the new Challenge-FUN, a pilot-tested re-creation of the Challenge for use with children in GMFCS Level III.

How will this course be taught?

The Zoom-based workshop is a combination of lecture style session with group discussion during viewing and Zoom poll-based scoring of sample training videos. After the course, self-study of on-line training videos (available only to course participants) will be done prior to completion of the on-line Criterion Test (certification). Offered as two ½ day Zoom sessions within a one month period (4 hours first session, and 4.5 hours second session).
NOTE: Certificates of attendance will be provided by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada. This Certificate implies neither the certification nor competence as an assessor on either test. On successful completion of the Challenge Criterion Test after self-study of the web-based materials, a Criterion Test Certificate will be issued.
Want to see more?
Created with