american academy for cerebral palsy and developmental medicine

What american academy for cerebral palsy and developmental medicine does

The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) is a nonprofit professional medical organization founded in 1946 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It serves a multidisciplinary community of physicians (pediatric physiatrists, developmental pediatricians, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons), allied therapists (physical, occupational, speech-language), and researchers focused on cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities. The organization delivers value through a membership-based model that bundles annual meetings, continuing education, peer-reviewed publications, and clinical guidance resources into a single professional offering.

AACPDM's core product portfolio includes the official journal Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (DMCN), the Annual Meeting (expected to draw 800+ professionals at its 80th edition in Philadelphia, September 27-30, 2026), evidence-based Care Pathways covering seven clinical conditions (Central Hypotonia, Dystonia, Early Detection, Hip Surveillance, Osteoporosis, Sialorrhea, Respiratory Health), the NINDS/AACPDM Common Data Elements for standardized cerebral palsy research, eCourses, and the Lifespan and Adapted Sports Journal Digests. The organization monetizes through tiered annual membership dues, event registration, fee-based job postings ($175 for 30 days, $350 for 60 days, $475 for 90 days), charitable donations including a Strategic Fund accepting leadership gifts of $1,000+, and member discounts on partner publications. Distribution is primarily direct through the aacpdm.org website and in-person events; the offering is a portfolio of standalone services rather than an integrated software platform.

The organization's competitive position is anchored by an 80-year multidisciplinary community, its co-development role with NIH/NINDS on standardized research tools, and stewardship of the field-defining DMCN journal. Strategic alliances include Mac Keith Press (journal publisher offering members a 20% discount), NIH/NINDS (CDE co-development with 40+ AACPDM members across seven working groups), and resource partners NCHPAD, Move United, and World Abilitysport. Leadership is provided by President Theresa Sukal-Moulton, PT, DPT, PhD, with the organization governed by a Board of Directors and operated from a single Milwaukee office.

Name

american academy for cerebral palsy and developmental medicine

Legal name

American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine

Website

https://aacpdm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine is a 501(c)-style nonprofit professional association founded in 1946, serving multidisciplinary physicians, therapists, and researchers in cerebral palsy and childhood-onset disabilities through membership, an annual meeting, the DMCN journal, and standardized clinical and research resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues that provide access to member benefits including discounted event registration, journal access, and member-only resources. Multiple membership categories with varying dues levels.
2. Annual Meeting Registration: Registration fees for the Annual Meeting with general session access, education sessions, free paper presentations, posters, and welcome reception. Pre-conference sessions and networking celebration available at additional cost.
3. Job Board Postings: Fee-based job posting service for employers seeking qualified candidates. Options include 30-day ($175), 60-day ($350), and 90-day ($475) posting periods.
4. eCourses and Educational Programs: Online educational courses available for continuing professional development with member discounts.
5. Journal Access (DMCN): Access to Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, the official journal of AACPDM. Members receive free access to current issues; articles published one year or more ago are freely accessible to all.
6. Donations and Strategic Fund: Tax-deductible donations to support research, education, scholarships, and professional collaboration. Leadership gifts of $1,000 or more annually help expand the Academy's work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AACPDM is a nonprofit professional medical association that serves healthcare professionals working in cerebral palsy and childhood-onset disabilities through membership programs, an annual scientific meeting, continuing education (eCourses), evidence-based clinical Care Pathways, the official journal Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, and standardized research tools (NINDS/AACPDM Common Data Elements). It also offers job postings, awards, mentorship (Advisor Support Program), and advocacy resources for patients and families.

Product overview

The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) is a professional membership organization, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of membership services, educational programs, publications, and clinical resources for healthcare professionals working with individuals with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities. The core membership program provides access to the Annual Meeting, the Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology journal, eCourses, and the Care Pathways clinical guidance documents. Supporting offerings include the Lifespan Journal Digest, Adapted Sports Journal Digest, NINDS Common Data Elements, Advocacy Toolkit, Job Postings Board, Annual Awards Program, and the Advisor Support Program. These services operate independently rather than as an integrated software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AACPDM Membership Professional membership program providing healthcare professionals in developmental medicine access to annual meetings, publications, educational resources, networking opportunities, and discounts on eCourses and symposia.
• Annual Meeting Annual educational conference featuring general sessions, education sessions, free paper presentations, posters, and networking events for professionals in developmental medicine.
• Care Pathways Evidence-based clinical guidance documents covering topics including Central Hypotonia, Cerebral Palsy and Dystonia, Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy, Hip Surveillance, Osteoporosis, Sialorrhea, and Respiratory Health in Cerebral Palsy.
• Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (DMCN) Journal Official journal of AACPDM covering pediatric neurology, neurodisability, child development, cerebral palsy, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, and related therapies; members receive discounted or free access based on tier.
• eCourses Online educational courses providing continuing professional development for members in the field of developmental medicine and cerebral palsy care.
• Lifespan Journal Digest Publication spotlighting recent literature on lifespan care issues including transition to adult care, aging with disability, and adult outcomes for individuals with childhood-onset disabilities.
• Adapted Sports Journal Digest Monthly digest of peer-reviewed research on adaptive sports, recreation, and physical activity for individuals with disabilities, produced by the Adapted Sports and Recreation Committee.
• NINDS/AACPDM Common Data Elements (CDEs) Open-source online resource developed collaboratively with the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke providing standardized measures for research studies and clinical practice in cerebral palsy.
• Job Postings Board Employment board connecting employers with qualified candidates in developmental medicine, offering 30-day ($175), 60-day ($350), and 90-day ($475) posting options.
• Annual Awards Program Recognition program honoring professionals who have made significant contributions to developmental medicine, including Mentorship Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Fred P. Sage Award, and others.
• Advisor Support Program Mentorship program pairing established Academy members with early-career professionals for guidance on career development, committee participation, and networking.
• Advocacy Toolkit Resource collection providing guidance on patient rights, provider advocacy, diagnosis-specific resources, disability benefits qualification, and navigating Medicaid/insurance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 800+ health professionals expected at annual meeting for networking and education
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) / National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke (NINDS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership to develop the NINDS/AACPDM Common Data Elements (CDEs) for Cerebral Palsy, an open-source online resource providing standardized measures for research studies and clinical practice in cerebral palsy. The resource was developed by a steering committee and seven working groups comprising over 40 AACPDM members.
• Mac Keith PresscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAACPDM members receive a 20% discount on all Mac Keith Press books and courses when ordered direct. Mac Keith Press publishes the official journal Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology and other resources in developmental medicine and paediatric neurology.
• National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD)minorOthersListed as a sport and health resource on AACPDM website. NCHPAD is the nation's premier center dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of all people through evidence-based programs, resources, campaigns and strategic initiatives.
• Move UnitedminorOthersListed as a sport and health resource. Move United uses sports to push what's possible so everyone, regardless of ability, has equal access to sports and recreation. Established in 1956, serves wounded warfighters, youth and adults with disabilities.
• World AbilitysportminorOthersListed as a sport and health resource. One of the world's leading organizations for the development of Para sports with membership of more than 80 countries around the world, offering competition opportunities for athletes with physical impairments.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Child Neurology Society (CNS): CNS is the leading US professional society for pediatric neurologists, with substantial membership overlap with AACPDM. Both serve clinicians and researchers in cerebral palsy, neurodisability, and developmental conditions, and compete for similar audiences at their respective annual meetings and journals.
• European Academy for Childhood Disability (EACD): EACD is the European counterpart multidisciplinary society focused on childhood-onset disabilities, including cerebral palsy. It mirrors AACPDM's member composition (physiatrists, neurologists, therapists, orthopaedic surgeons) and offers an analogous annual congress and research dissemination, making it the closest international peer.
• American Academy for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R): AAPM&R represents physiatrists, including pediatric rehabilitation physicians who are core AACPDM members. Both organizations serve the physiatry community in cerebral palsy care, run annual meetings, publish journals, and develop clinical practice resources for rehabilitation providers.

Broad incumbents

• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA): AOTA is the primary US professional society for occupational therapists, including those specializing in pediatric and developmental disability practice. Occupational therapists form a key AACPDM member segment, making AOTA a complementary (and at the margin, competing) association for CE, advocacy, and clinical resources.
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS): AAOS is the dominant US orthopaedic society. Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons treating cerebral palsy (e.g., hip surveillance, gait) overlap with AACPDM membership; AAOS provides broader orthopaedic education while AACPDM offers cerebral-palsy-specific Care Pathways.
• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): APTA represents physical therapists, including pediatric and neurologic subspecialists who are core AACPDM members. APTA's Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy and Section on Research overlap significantly with AACPDM's clinical and research mission in cerebral palsy.
• American Academy of Neurology (AAN): AAN is the major US neurology professional society with far greater scale than AACPDM. Pediatric and neurodisability neurologists — a core AACPDM segment — often hold dual membership; both publish journals and run annual meetings, but AAN covers the full neurology spectrum.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): AAP is the largest US pediatric professional society with ~67,000 members. Its Council on Children With Disabilities covers developmental medicine and cerebral palsy topics that overlap with AACPDM's niche, though AACPDM offers deeper specialization while AAP offers broader scale and resources.

Others

• Mac Keith Press: Mac Keith Press is AACPDM's publishing partner for the official journal Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology and offers member-discounted books/courses. As a publisher in developmental medicine and paediatric neurology, it is an ecosystem enabler rather than a competing society.

Regional players

• British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA): BPNA is the UK professional association for paediatric neurologists, with overlapping membership profile and similar CME/annual meeting offerings to AACPDM. It operates as a regional peer serving a different national market but addressing comparable cerebral palsy and neurodisability populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aacpdm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-academy-for-cerebral-palsy-and-developmental-medicine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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