Bullying has been around since the beginning of time, but that does not make it right or even acceptable. Unfortunately there is never a child, or even an adult, who is ever prepared for the verbal, physical, psychological, or cyber abuse that bullying delivers and delivers harshly. Victims with disabilities are even less prepared but there is hope. People from all walks, or rolls, of life are bullied, but you very rarely hear about a person with a disability being the bully. Some may say that people with disabilities have enough challenges to handle and that being a bully does not need to be one of them. Still, believe it or not, there are people with disabilities who are bullies, but the majority of them are victims or witnesses. This needs to end. Read these tips about molding yourself into a leader and stopping those bullies in their tracks.

One of my colleagues was in a tizzy because she, as the school-based physical therapist, had been in contact with a clinic physical therapist regarding a shared 12-month-old with a newly diagnosed connective tissue disorder with resulting ligamentous laxity. One therapist was recommending decreased weight bearing activity and helped the family obtain a supramalleolar orthosis. One therapist preferred more weight bearing with the hip helpers she had already provided and would have chosen ankle foot orthotics to control both the ankle and knee. Earlier the same day I was chatting with an orthotist who had commented on physical therapists' tendency to polarize toward either minimal or maximal orthotic support. I know there is not always one correct answer, but when it comes to providing custom orthotics and the associated cost, I certainly hope the people making the choices are as close to correct as they can possibly be.  

Read More  

 Clinician Resource 

 Educational Seminars