What’s Missing Tactile Game Video
Here is a fun activity that encourages upper extremity muscle strengthening, proprioceptive input and tactile input. What more sensory motor activities? Check out 50 Sensory Motor Activities for Kids!.
Physical Fitness and GMFM Scores
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology published research on the relationship of physical fitness and Gross Motor Function Measure scores in children with cerebral palsy (45 with hemiplegia and 23 with spastic diplegia). The study results indicated no relationship between aerobic capacity and body mass index and sections D (standing) and E (walking, running and jumping) […]
Team Blog for Pediatric Therapists
After the poll results from the last few weeks, we have set up a team blog for pediatric occupational and physical therapists. I think this is a great idea to share ideas, links, discussions and more. Be sure to visit. All you have to do is email us with your email address to approve you […]
ARRA of 2009 – Stimulus Money for IDEA
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will provide millions of dollars to help fund IDEA Part B and Part C. Therapists need to be informed regarding the distribution and purpose of this money. The goals of the IDEA Recovery Funds for Services to Children and Youths (early intervention through high school students) with […]
Another Assistive Technology website to share
Heard about this on Twitter NICHY – TECHMATRIX – http://www.techmatrix.org/index.aspx . This is a great website to compare different products and do research on assistive technology. It is super easy and super informative! I always like that.
Developmental Coordination Disorder and Functional Skills
Researchers in Taiwan determined that children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and suspected DCD perform significantly lower on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales and School Function Assessment when compared to typically developing peers. This indicated that the children with DCD and suspected DCD exhibit inadequate functional skills at home and school. Limitations of the study […]
New Idea for Sensory Ball
Here is a new way to use a sensory toy. This is a spiky ball that can go on a child’s head so there is a hole in it. Stuff the inside with a cloth napkin or dish towel. Mark one counting stick (or coffee stirrer) with a piece of masking tape on it. The […]
Motor Skills and Function in Children with CP
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology published research that compared children with cerebral palsy’s scores on the GMFM-66 and the Vineland over 3 years. The study results indicated that there is a significant relationship between what a child can do (GMFM)and what a child does do (Vineland). The relationship was more positive for GMFCS Level I […]
Motor Skills and ASD
Here are two interesting research studies on autism and motor skills both from Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. One study reports that out of 101 children with ASD (wide range of ASD and IQ), 79% exhibits movement impairments as reported on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Children with childhood autism and IQ of less […]
Motor Skills During Adolescence in children with CP
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology published research stating that adolescent children with cerebral palsy GMFCS Level III, IV and V demonstrated a functional decline in skills which were clinically significant. This longitudinal study followed 657 children with CP using the Gross Motor Function Measure-66. Children with cerebral palsy levels I and II did not experience […]