Prof. Dr. Schirin Akhbari Ziegler

Work at ZHAW

Position

Head of the focus on paediatic physiotherapy of the MSc in physiotherapy

Focus

• Paediatric Physiotherapy
• Developmental Paediatrics
• Evidence based Paediatric Physiotherapy
• Assessments Motor Development
• ICF-CY
• Family-centred early intervention
• Coaching in paediatric rehabilitation

Teaching

• COPCA®
• Infant Motor Profile

Professional development teaching

• COPCA®
• Infant Motor Profile - hybrid

Experience

• Head of the international COPCA course
  University of Applied Sciences (School of Health Sciences)
  05 / 2019 - today
• Head of the focus on paediatic physiotherapy of the MSc in physiotherapy
  University of Applied Sciences (School of Health Sciences)
  09 / 2016 - today
• Lecturer
  University of Applied Sciences (School of Health Sciences)
  06 / 2009 - today
• Paediatric physiotherapist
  Self-employed
  01 / 2005 - today
• Head of the Certificate of Advanced Studies: Clinical expertise in paediatric physiotherapy
  University of Applied Sciences (School of Health Sciences)
  08 / 2011 - 12 / 2020
• Head of the Master of Advanced Studies in Paediatric Physiotherapy
  University of Applied Sciences (School of Health Sciences)
  09 / 2012 - 12 / 2019
• Head of the therapy for children
  Foundation RGZ, Rapperswil
  10 / 1993 - 06 / 2002
• Physiotherapist
  Foundation RGZ, Rapperswil
  08 / 1991 - 06 / 2002
• Physiotherapist
  Zurich University Hospital
  07 / 1990 - 06 / 1991

Education and Continuing education

Education

• PhD / (Implementation of COPCA, a family-centred early intervention programme in infant physiotherapy
  University of Groningeb
  10 / 2012 - 09 / 2020
• Master of Science in Neurorehabilitation / Neurorehabilitation
  Donau-University Krems
  09 / 2007 - 03 / 2010
• Supervisor, Coach / Supervision and Coaching
  EGIS foundation
  11 / 2001 - 05 / 2004
• Training Therapist EVS Sensory Intergation / Sensory Intergration
  Swiss Occupational Therapy Association
  02 / 1995 - 11 / 2003
• 1990 / Physiotherapie
  School for Physiotherapy Zurich University Hospital
  04 / 1986 - 03 / 1990

Continuing Education

• Coach of COPCA-coaches
  Developmental Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen
  03 / 2019
• Neuromotor Taks Training
  pluspunkt Jona
  09 / 2014
• NDT Bobath
  Schaumburger Fortbildungsseminar
  02 / 1993

Network

Membership of networks

• Swiss Academy of Childhood Disability
• European Academy of Childhood Disability

ORCID digital identifier

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8640-0774

Projects

• Family Outcome of Early Intervention / Project leader / ongoing
• Paediatric physical therapy in infants at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders – PT in infants at risk / Project leader / completed

Publications

Articles in scientific journal, peer-reviewed

• King, G., Graham, F., & Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2023). Comparing three coaching approaches in pediatric rehabilitation : contexts, outcomes, and mechanisms. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46(12), 2708–2719. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2229731
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., de Souza Morais, R. L., Magalhães, L., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2023). The potential of COPCA’s coaching for families with infants with special needs in low- and middle-income countries. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11(983680). https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.983680
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Suárez, X. (2023). Reliability, construct validity and completeness of the “Winterthur Observation Protocol” applied to early intervention in pediatric physiotherapy using coaching. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 43(5), 596–610. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2023.2181724
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2021). Familienzentrierte Praxis in der Pädiatrie : PT-Frühintervention bei Säuglingen mit neuromotorischen Funktionsstörungen. pt Zeitschrift für Physiotherapeuten , 73(9), 46–50. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-24304
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., Rhein, M., Meichtry, A., Wirz, M., Hielkema, T., & Hadders‐Algra, M. (2020). The coping with and caring for infants with special needs intervention was associated with improved motor development in preterm infants. Acta Paediatrica, 110(4), 1189–1200. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15619
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Hadders‐Algra, M. (2020). Coaching approaches in early intervention and paediatric rehabilitation. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 62(5), 569–574. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14493
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., Mitteregger, E., & Hadders‐Algra, M. (2019). Caregivers’ experiences with the new family‐centred paediatric physiotherapy programme COPCA : a qualitative study. Child: Care, Health and Development, 46(1), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12722
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., Dirks, T., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2018). Coaching in early physical therapy intervention : the COPCA program as an example of translation of theory into practice. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(15), 1846–1854. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1448468
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., Dirks, T., Reinders-Messelink, H. A., Meichtry, A., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2018). Changes in therapist actions during a novel pediatric physical therapy program : successes and challenges. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 30(3), 223–230. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000509
• Sonderer, P., Akhbari Ziegler, S., Gressbach Oertle, B., Meichtry, A., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2017). Psychometric properties of a standardized observation protocol to quantify pediatric physical therapy actions. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 29(2), 244–250. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000398
• Huber, E., Akhbari Ziegler, S., Leusch, M., & Schämann, A. (2015). Entwicklung und Umsetzung einer ICF-basierten Software zur Patientendokumentation als Lernprozessbegleitung in der Physiotherapie-Weiterbildung in der Schweiz. Pädagogik der Gesundheitsberufe, 2(1), 48–55.

Book chapters, peer-reviewed

• Messerli, F., Scheufele, S., & Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2023). Zerebralparese GMFCS Level 1. In M. Jung & M. Hager (eds.), Fallbuch Physiotherapie: Pädiatrie (pp. 89–104). Elsevier.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2023). Familienzentrierte Frühintervention bei Säuglingen mit motorischen Entwicklungsstörungen (COPCA). In M. Jung & M. Hager (eds.), Fallbuch Physiotherape: Pädiatrie (pp. 237–250). Elsevier.
• Rosenbaum, P., Novak-Pavlic, M., Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2021). Early intervention : what about the family? In M. Hadders-Algra (Ed.), Early Detection and Early Intervention in Developmental Motor Disorders (pp. 173–184). Mac Keith Press.

Written conference contributions, peer-reviewed

• Akhbari Ziegler, S., von Rhein, M., Meichtry, A., Wirz, M., Hielkema, T., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2022, May 21). The coping with and caring for infants with special needs intervention was associated with improved motor development in preterm infants. 34th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD) Barcelona, Spain, 18-21 May 2022. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-25096
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2019, May 24). Coaching in COPCA : a promising method to enhance family participation and motor development of infants with special needs. 31st EACD European Academy of Childhood Disability, Paris, May 23-25 2019. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-19040
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2019, May 13). Improve implementation of a novel paediatric therapy programme : taking theories of human behaviour into account. World Confederation of Physical Therapy Congress, Geneva, 10-13 May 2019. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-19039

Other publications

• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2024, May 31). Coaching in “Coping With and Caring for Infants with Special Needs” (COPCA®) : a family centred early intervention programme. 36th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), Bruges, Belgium, 29 May - 1 June 2024. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-30954
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., Üzer, S., Palomo, R., Zalanskieneė, K., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2024, May 30). Needs of families receiving early intervention : experiences in five countries. 36th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), Bruges, Belgium 29 May - 1 June 2024. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-30978
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2021). Den Fokus vom Kind auf die ganze Familie verlagern. Physioactive, 57(1), 11–16. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-22239
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2020). Das “Infant Motor Profile” : eine Methode zur Entwicklungsbeurteilung, Planung der Frühintervention und Vorhersage der Entwicklung. pädiatrische praxis, 94(1), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-20276
• Hadders-Algra, M., & Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2018). Das Infant Motor Profile. Physiotherapie, 18(6), 20–23. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4892
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2018). Die Theorie der Selektion neuronaler Gruppen als handlungsleitende Theorie der pädiatrischen Physiotherapie. Physiotherapie, 18(5), 22–24. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4891
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2017). COPing with and CAring for Infant with special Needs (COPCA). PP Bulletin, 35, 30–33. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3515
• Luomajoki, H., Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Huber, O. (2012). Combining ICF and Clinical Reasoning in a single case documentation. Wien European Physiotherapy Teachers Association, 2012.

Oral conference contributions and abstracts

• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2026, January 31). Das familienzentrierte Frühinterventionsprogramm COPCA®. Physiokongress, Stuttgart, Deutschland, 30.-31. Januar 2026.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., Grylka, S., Schulze, C., & Widmer, I. (2025). Family Outcome Early Intervention : die Familienperspektive in der pädiatrischen Frühintervention [Conference presentation]. Physioscience, 21(S 03), S8–S9. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0045-1812364
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2025, September). “Coping with and caring for infants with special needs” (COPCA®) in der Praxis. 53. Interdisziplinärer Herbst-Seminar-Kongress für Entwicklungs- und Sozialpädiatrie, Brixen, Italien, 3.-6. September 2025.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2025, September 5). Das Infant Motor Profile (IMP) : Assessment zur Beurteilung der motorischen Entwicklung 3-18 Monate. 53. Interdisziplinärer Herbst-Seminar-Kongress für Entwicklungs- und Sozialpädiatrie, Brixen, Italien, 3.-6. September 2025.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2025, September 4). Frühförderung der motorischen Entwicklung im familiären Kontext : State-of-the-art. 53. Interdisziplinärer Herbst-Seminar-Kongress für Entwicklungs- und Sozialpädiatrie, Brixen, Italien, 3.-6. September 2025.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Üzer, S. (2025, June 27). Coaching Skills in der Frühintervention, am Beispiel des familenzentrierten COPCA®-Programms. 4th Triennial Meeting of the International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability (EACD) and 37th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability (IAACD), Heidelberg, Germany, 24-28 June 2025.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2025, June 26). How to implement family-systems care in early intervention and paediatric rehabilitation. 4th Triennial Meeting of the International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability (EACD) and 37th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood-Onset Disability (IAACD), Heidelberg, Germany, 24-28 June 2025.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., Üzer, S., Palomo-Carrión, R., Zalanskiené, K., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2025, June 26). Culturally sensitive and family-centred early intervention : needs and experiences of familes from five countries. 4th Triennial Meeting of the International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability (EACD) and 37th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood-Onset Disability (IAACD), Heidelberg, Germany, 24-28 June 2025.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2024, October 11). Children as co-researchers. 3rd European Paediatric Physiotherapy Congress (EUPPT), Zurich, Switzerland, 10-12 October 2024.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Johansen, K. (2024, October 10). How do we move from impairment/deficit-focused intervention to participation-focused intervention? 3rd European Paediatric Physiotherapy Congress (EUPPT), Zurich, Switzerland, 10-12 October 2024.
• Üzer, S., Piñero Pinto, E., Zalanskinené, K., & Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2024, October 10). Culturally sensitive and family-centered early intervention using the COPCA® Programme as an example. 3rd European Paediatric Physiotherapy Congress (EUPPT), Zurich, Switzerland, 10-12 October 2024.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2024, October 10). How to implement family-systems care in paediatric physiotherapy. 3dr European Paediatric Physiotherapy Congress (EUPPT), Zurich, Switzerland, 10-12 October 2024.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., Sonderer, P., Brülhart, M., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2024, May 30). Neuromotor principles to support favourable development of high-risk infants within a family-centred early intervention programme. 36th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), Bruges, Belgium 29 May - 1 June 2024.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Üzer, S. (2024, May 30). The experiences of families with COPCA® : implementation of allowing the infants possibilities for practice in daily life. 36th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), Bruges, Belgium 29 May - 1 June 2024.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Brülhart, M. (2022, October 7). Coaching in early intervention : a promising method to enhance participation of families with an infant with special needs. 2nd European Paediatric Physiotherapy Congress (EUPPT), Florence, Italy, 6-8 October 2022.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2022, October 6). Caregiver coaching in early intervention : the example of COPCA. 2nd European Paediatric Physiotherapy Congress (EUPPT), Florence, Italy, 6-8 October 2022.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., & Brülhart, M. (2022, May 19). Coaching in early intervention : a promising method to enhance participation of families with infants with special needs. 34th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), Barcelona, Spain, 18-21 May 2022.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., Graham, F., & King, G. (2022, May 19). Comparing three coaching approaches in pediatric rehabilitation : contexts, mechanisms and outcomes. 34th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), Barcelona, Spain, 18-21 May 2022.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2022, March 5). Frühintervention bei Säuglingen mit neuromotorischen Funktionsstörung und ihre Evidenz. Münchner Symposium Frühförderung, online, 4.-5. März 2022.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2022, January 20). The coping with and caring for infants with special needs intervention is associated with improved motor development in preterm infants. Keine Verknüpfung.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2021, September 11). Caregiver coaching in early intervention - the example of COPCA. International Congress 2021 of Early Detection and Early Intervention in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Virtual, 9-11 September 2021.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S., Hadders-Algra, M., Gelkop, N., & de Souza Morais, R. L. (2021, May 27). Coaching in COPCA : a promising approach based on equal partnership. 33rd Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), Online, 20 May - 10 June 2021.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2019, June 22). Transitions in infant physiotherapy : towards coaching of families. Developmental Changes in Paediatric Neurodisability, from Concepts to Diagnostics and Therapy, Groningen, 20 - 22 June 2019.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2019, March 23). Physiotherapeutische Frühintervention und ihre Evidenz. Fachtagung Physiotherapia Paediatrica 2019, Luzern, 23. März 2019.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2015). Einblick in die Inhalte der physiotherapeutischen Säuglingsbehandlung mit dem Groningen Observation Protocol. Jahressymposium der SACD, Aarau, 18. November 2015.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2014). Infant Motor Profile (IMP) : Untersuchungmethode zur Beurteilung der Qualität von motorischem Verhalten von Kindern im Alter von 3-18 Monaten. Fachtagung Physiotherapia Peadiatrica, Luzern, 22. März 2014.
• Akhbari Ziegler, S. (2013). Specialization in pediatric physical therapy at an academic level in the German-speaking region of Switzerland [Conference presentation]. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 25(3). https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0b013e318299d14d

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