The purpose of this study was to examine perspectives of physical therapists on the level of importance of the early intervention competencies to practice in early intervention and differences in perspectives based on demographic factors. A web-based survey was disseminated to physical therapists who worked in early intervention or with children…

Early intervention service providers are expected to form cohesive teams to build the capacity of a family to promote their child's development. Given the differences in personnel preparation across disciplines of service providers, the Early Childhood Personnel Center is creating integrated and comprehensive professional development models for…

This article focuses on one early intervention team's transition from a multidisciplinary center-based model to a transdisciplinary, natural environment service delivery model. The team consisted of an occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech and language pathologist, and early intervention teacher. Each team member began with different…

Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) that is severe enough to require early surgery are at risk for cognitive and motor delays, as well as musculoskeletal impairments, and are best managed by an interdisciplinary team during their hospital stay and after discharge. The purpose of this article is to review some of the risk factors associated…

Occupational and physical therapists and speech language pathologists provide services for almost half of the children enrolled in early intervention programs nationally. Each professional association has adopted documents defining practice in early intervention that advocate for family-centered practices and interventions embedded in family…

The provision of choice making is frequently cited as an indicator of developmentally appropriate practice for young children with and without disabilities; however, there is little empirical evidence regarding the rate of delivery of choices within the preschool classroom. The delivery of intervention strategies by a classroom-based…

This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of an online professional development course designed to develop an understanding of the foundations, perspectives, and strategies used by key disciplines (e.g., occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, early childhood special education, visual…

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)

This article, the second of a three-part series, outlines neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy approaches to movement dysfunction in children. The multiple roles of the pediatric physical therapist in teaching, consulting, managing, referring, and conducting clinical research are discussed. (Author/DB)

Use of neurodevelopmental treatment, also known as the Bobath method, is discussed, including its history, philosophy, goals, and treatment emphasis with infants and children with movement disorders. Examples of children before and after therapeutic intervention illustrate use of the technique, and controversies in measuring therapy efficacy are…

This paper introduces conductive education (CE) for rehabilitation of children with motor disabilities through development of ordered movement and coordinated function. It reviews the origin of CE, its development between 1945 and 1994, the CE method, and the new profession of CE practitioners. Recent extension of CE to education for children…

Discusses factors affecting the ability of states and local programs to seek and secure reimbursement for occupational and physical therapy services in early childhood programs. Cost concerns in early childhood are addressed, and strategies for ensuring programmatic success in securing reimbursement for such services are presented. (Author/CR)

This article discusses family-centered functional therapy, a model of practice for children with motor dysfunction based on tenets derived from family-centered philosophy and dynamic systems theory. This model stipulates that parents must be included in the identification of functional goals. Positive results of pilot work with 12 children are…

Discusses the transferring of Medicaid recipients to managed care in Oregon and the effects on physical therapy and occupational therapy services for children with disabilities. Describes a process that balances fiscally responsible utilization of therapy resources with advocacy for appropriate therapy services. Guidelines for services are…

This article explores how providing early intervention in natural environments reinforces family-centered care, discusses benefits for all parties when therapy is provided within daily routines and settings, describes a decision-making process for embedding natural environments within intervention, and concludes by identifying challenges and…