Mini AHA certification

The Mini-Assisting Hand Assessment (Mini-AHA) is a test developed to evaluate the affected upper limb of infants aged 8 to 18 months with unilateral cerebral palsy. Like the AHA 18-18, the Mini-AHA is based on a video-recorded play session using toys that encourage bimanual hand use. Twenty (20) object-related actions of the affected hand are later scored from the video on a 4-point criterion-referenced scale. The Mini-AHA is a valid and reliable measure that is sensitive to change and allows early identification of asymmetric hand use.

The course is conducted in five steps:

1. Self-directed learning (approximately 10 hours, within 2 weeks). Self-guided learning modules accessed via the CPTeaching Learning Management System (LMS) covering the test construct, testing procedure and the Mini-AHA items. Quizzes are used to test your knowledge and you will practise scoring. You must complete this step within the time frame to attend the next steps. There are no exceptions.

2. Online forum 1 (4 hours, live). Score two (2) Mini-AHA play sessions with the teachers, discuss your scoring and clarify questions about specific items.

3. Self-directed scoring (approximately 6 hours, within 2 weeks). Score three (3) Mini-AHA play sessions on the LMS.

4. Online forum 2 (4 hours, live). Clarify specific items and scores with the teachers and score two (2) additional play sessions. If participants do not attend and complete the requirements for Steps 1 to 4, they will not be permitted to progress to the Mini-AHA certification procedure.

5. Certification procedure.

   • Scoring calibration (approximately 6 hours, within 4 weeks). Individually score three (3) to five (5) Mini-AHA play sessions and pass three (3) out of five (5). Two (2) attempts are provided for each session. After an unsuccessful attempt you receive feedback indicating whether your scores are "too nice" (too high) or "too harsh" (too low). To pass, you must achieve a sum score difference of ≤ 5 for each play session and ≤ 5 items scored incorrectly.

   • Administration reliability (approximately 4 hours, within 3 months of Online forum 2). Administer the Mini-AHA with one (1) infant from your own practice, record and upload the video, and complete a self-reflection checklist. You will receive individual, detailed feedback.

If participants do not complete these steps within the required time frames, they will not meet the requirements for Mini-AHA certification and will need to register and attend another course.

Who should attend

Occupational therapists and physiotherapists who assess and treat infants and young children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Course objectives

On completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the construct of the Mini-AHA and the psychometric evidence that supports its use.

2. Select appropriate toys and assemble a Mini-AHA test kit according to the guidelines.

3. Set up, conduct and video record a Mini-AHA play session, using the toys to provoke bimanual play.

4. Score a Mini-AHA play session reliably according to the criteria in the manual.

5. Interpret Mini-AHA results and communicate them to families and colleagues to guide intervention and measure change.

Course requirements

Participants must collate their own Mini-AHA test kit using the written and video guidelines provided on the LMS, choosing toys as similar as possible to those described. To complete the administration reliability step, you must have access to at least one (1) infant with unilateral cerebral palsy aged 8 to 18 months.

Prerequisites: Nil.

Please do not register for this course if you:

1. Do not have access to at least one infant aged 8 to 18 months with unilateral upper limb impairment to complete the Mini-AHA administration reliability procedure.

2. Have planned leave or other factors that will impact on your ability to complete all steps outlined above within the time frames specified.