Pediatric OT and PT for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Research will be published on the focus and amount of pediatric occupational and physical therapy services for 399 children, ages 2-6 years old, with cerebral palsy.  Parents completed a questionnaire over the telephone with therapists reporting the child’s Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level.  The results indicated the following regarding the amount of services: […]

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Postural Control and Ankle Foot Orthotics

Recent research studied the effects of ankle foot orthotics on trunk postural control and lower limb coordination in 20 children (ages 4-12) with and without cerebral palsy.  The results of tridimensional trunk kinematics and thigh, shank, and foot elevation angles while walking barefoot and with ankle foot orthotics indicated the following: significantly greater trunk excursions […]

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Visual Monitoring and Handwriting

The Edie Neurolearning Blog posted information on some research on the brain basis of dysgraphia.  It appears to be very interesting although there is not a reference.  It confirms what many pediatric therapists observe – many children require extensive visual monitoring of letter formation.  Functional MRI’s compared “good writers” with “bad writers”.  The testing revealed that […]

Immersion in the Skill

Teaching a New Motor Skill? Try Full Immersion

Here is something to try that does not have to necessarily do with swimming – immersion in one particular motor skill.  When we are teaching a child a new motor skill or perhaps working on refining a motor skill, try bombarding the child with the skill.  Here are some examples: The goal is to write […]

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Bean Bag Tunes on You Tube

Came across these fun YouTube videos to use as a quick brain break for teachers in class or some activities during a therapy session.  It reinforces learning right side from the left side, bilateral coordination, body awareness and following directions. Here is the BeanBag Beatbox #1: Here is Beanbag Beatbox #2: If you need more […]