The Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics has published research on the use of Botox A in children with idiopathic toe walking. Fifteen children (ages 5-13)with a diagnosis of idiopathic toe walking underwent a gait analysis followed by Botox in the calf muscles and an exercise program. Gait analysis was repeated at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 […]
Here is a simple idea to start planning for next year for some of the children that you teach – Gardening! Getting into the garden encourages motor skills, sensory stimulation, self esteem, sense of accomplishment, discovery and outdoor time. If you have at least 15 children willing to participate and work with children ages 3-18 […]
Blogs can offer great inside information on a variety of topics, although it can be hard to sift through all the daily information that is posted. In addition, it can be difficult to even find niche blogs to begin with. Here are several suggestions on how to find blogs specific to pediatric occupational and physical […]
Tree House Kids is a fun-filled, outdoor activity to encourage fine motor, gross motor and visual perceptual skills. Want more activities like this? Motor Magic – Turning Fine Motor Skills into Gross Motor Skills.
BMC Pediatrics published a research study on the changes of basic motor abilities, quality of movement and everyday activities after intensive, goal directed, activity focused physical therapy is a group setting for children with cerebral palsy. Twenty two children (mean age 5 years, 6 months), hemiplegia (7), diplegia (11), quadriplegia (2) and ataxia (2), participated […]
An interesting study was published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics on teacher’s assessment of inattentive symptoms. Three groups of children were followed: 27 first graders, 24 fourth graders and 28 first through fourth graders with a diagnosis of ADHD. The children were rated twice (12-14 months apart) on their inattentive symptoms by […]
Over 200 six year olds, had their bone mass measured and femoral neck and thigh bones analyzed. The physical activity of the 6 year olds was measured for 7 consecutive days. The results indicated that vigorous physical activity time was related to the strength and mineral density of the femoral neck. The researchers from Southhampton […]
In a recent issue of Disability and Rehabilitation there was research published on an intervention using modified constraint induced movement therapy (mCIMT) wtih 12 preschool children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The intervention consisted of mCIMT for 5 consecutive days at 6 hours per day. Following the experiment, the data was analyzed revealing a significant decrease […]
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published research in 2008 on children’s interaction on the school playground. Twenty children were videotaped for 11 weeks on a school playground. The children participated in extended recess with loose parts or materials such as bicycle tires, hay bales, fabric, trash can lids, strips of foam and more. Following […]
Recent research published in the Journal of Neuroscience, indicates that a mother’s touch not only provides security, comfort and love but also cognitive function and stress reduction. This study was performed using rats. The results indicated that “sensory stimuli from maternal care can modify the gene that controls a key messenger of stress called corticotropin-releasing […]