Pediatric Therapy
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 Communication and the Therapy Situation
by Stephenie Labandz, DPT
School and clinic therapists have different roles and perspectives. Communication is important to ensure a shared overall vision and make sure that all the child's needs are being met. We can never make assumptions about what a therapist in a different setting may or may not be addressing with a child. One great strategy utilized by the clinic is a 3-ring binder with space for reports, home exercise programs and educational materials, and business cards. When the binder travels with the family to outpatient therapies, medical appointments, and school meetings, it helps ensure that the different entities are on the same page and helps the family easily organize information that my otherwise be overwhelming. I would love to hear how others approach this issue.
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Disability Education
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 The Need for More Education About Disabilities for Kids
by Shawn Dean
During a visit to a good friend's home, I witnessed his daughter doing a swinging limp armed karate chop to her chest combined with an audible "Unnn," which back when I was a kid was a gesture you did to indicate that someone was saying or doing something stupid. But more specifically that gesture was essentially synonymous with someone "being retarded." It was shocking for two reasons: First, was that she did it in front of someone who has a disability; although at her age she's probably too young to truly grasp the inappropriateness of that. Second-and more shocking-is that over two decades later that gesture is still being commonly used amongst kids and I was honestly blown away by that fact. My take is that it speaks to the continued lack of education and proper etiquette training about disabilities amongst children. So how do we go about turning the tide?
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Clinical Resources
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 Heightened Awareness: Using standers to position children for success
In this article a school-based physical therapist cites many studies on the physical and social benefits of standing. She explains how proper postural support allows kids to direct their attention toward learning while benefitting physically, "An appropriate standing program eliminates the dilemma of determining whether a child's time is better spent on a physical or mental task by allowing them to occur simultaneously." She also discusses the importance of making standing a part of the child's daily routine and remaining dynamic and informed as a therapist using evolving technology.
This is the first of many standing articles that will be published in 2011. Are you a therapist that would be interested in writing one of the upcoming articles on standing? Contact Jackie. |
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