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Orthotic Use and Down Syndrome

A single subject, alternating treatment design was used to analyze the effectiveness of two different supramalleolar orthotics.  Two children with Down syndrome each participated in three phases: without orthotics, SureStep orthotic and the DAFO #4 orthotic.  Using the Gross Motor Function Measure, results indicated improvements in both children with the SureStep orthotic and child #1 […]

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Tablet Computers and Shunts

A recent study indicates that tablet computers may interfere with programmable shunts.  The researchers discovered the following when exposing programmable shunts to the iPad2: at distances between 0 and 1 cm, the settings had changed in 58 percent of the valves.  after exposure at distances between 1 and 2.5 cm the settings had changed in […]

Visual Dysfunction and Cerebral Palsy

A study in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology reports on visual dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy.  Since 60-70% of children with cerebral palsy have cerebral visual impairment, this study wanted to explore the visual dysfunction further.  One hundred twenty nine patients with cerebral palsy ranging in age from 3 months to 15 years old […]

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Hole Punch Play Dough

After seeing this idea at JDaneil4’s Mom blog about using a hole punch with play dough, I created some quick templates for using hole punched play dough.  What a great way to sneak in some hand strengthening by using the hole punch.  It is not just the hole punch, you have to flatten the dough […]

Adapted Gardening Tools

More and more schools are starting gardening programs.  Here is an informative video on some suggestions for adapting garden tools.  Although the tools are geared for use by one boy (who used his feet and legs for the activities), the ideas could easily be adapted for other individuals.  Worth a watch if your school or […]

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Perceptions on Pediatric Group Therapy Sessions

A recent study examined administrators, therapists and parents perceptions on the use of pediatric group therapy.  Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 13 administrators, 19 therapists and 5 parents of children with special needs.  The results indicated the following: adminstrators perceived groups to help with accessibility to services increased effort on the part of […]