Parents seek sustained intense "hands-on" therapy for their children based on a belief that "more is better." Since the core objective of evidence-based practice (EBP) is to do the right things, for the right child, at the right time, and to optimize intervention outcomes, it is vital to know what the literature says about how much therapy to…

The aim is to describe the development of hand function in young adults with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP), who participated in a 2-week Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) camp 6 years earlier. Eleven participants, 16-21 years at follow-up, were assessed at three occasions during 2005 and once in 2011. At the 6-year follow-up, performance…

As defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, occupational and physical therapists provide services to support students to access, participate, and progress in their educational program within the least restrictive educational environment. Educationally relevant occupational and physical therapy services in school…

Family-centered practice (care, intervention, services, or help giving) and family-focused, and family-based care are terms used interchangeably over the past 60 years to describe an approach to working with children with disabilities and their families. Common beliefs fundamental to the implementation of a program that incorporates…

There is a growing recognition of the importance of self-concept in the pediatric rehabilitation research literature. There also is confusion and inconsistency in the definitions of and the terminology used to describe self-concept. What is agreed is that self-concept is multidimensional, comprising a child's perception of their personal…

This article on pediatric physical therapy first offers a historical perspective and then looks at the scope of clinical practice in the field, the field's scientific basis, and its theoretical foundations. (Author/DB)

Norman Kunc, consultant on educational and disability issues, discusses his early segregated education and perceived devaluation due to his cerebral palsy; the intrusion of therapies into his daily schedule; and the sometimes assaultive nature of physical therapy. Kunc views his disability as a characteristic of his personal diversity and…

This article considers areas of general agreement and challenges concerning decision making about such educationally related services as occupational and physical therapy for students with disabilities. It offers guidelines in such areas as teamwork, educational program components, values that underlie decision making, functions of related…

Discusses issues in personnel training practices for paraprofessionals providing related services in early intervention and education settings. The term paratherapist is used to refer to paraprofessionals working under the supervision of professionals in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. Presents a philosophy…

This article describes new approaches to providing physical and occupational therapy intervention services in naturalistic early childhood settings and reviews the limited body of literature examining their efficacy. It offers assessment and intervention strategies that support a normalized approach to intervention and offers suggestions for…

Provides justification for a cross-disciplinary approach to program delivery in physical education for students with physical and cognitive disabilities. Details the positive outcomes possible through a bidirectional relationship between physical education and physical therapy and presents guidelines for collaboration and for sport skill…

This article identifies challenges to incorporating occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy into early childhood programs under Parts B and H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Challenges include transforming traditional medical model services, meeting the need for qualified personnel, and adequately preparing…