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Study Updates
Studies funded by the Easter Seals Society
In the last Community Connection, we provided summaries of three of seven
research projects funded by the Easter Seals Society. The following is
an overview of two of the other studies.
Assisting Parents Waiting for Therapy
Children with motor coordination disorders are spending 1-2 years waiting
for therapy to assist them in school settings. While therapy may be helpful,
what is needed most urgently is for parents and teachers to understand
the reasons underlying the child's motor difficulties and to be able to
problem-solve through some of their daily challenges. We are working with
parents to develop an educational, family-centred workshop that will help
parents of newly identified children to learn about their children's needs
and to empower them to communicate this knowledge to others.
Assessing Quality of Life of Children with Disabilities
A fundamental goal of rehabilitation services is to promote quality of
life. In this project, we are conducting a systematic review of measures
of children's quality of life to identify what measures are available
and being used, to examine their psychometric properties, and to determine
which ones offer the best utility for centres and agencies that provide
rehabilitation services to children with disabilities.
Recent CanChild Publications Have Appeared In…
…Rehab and Community Care Management
The Medical Editor of the journal, Ian Cooks, has written an article titled
"The
case for family-centred service: A best practice approach for special
needs children." The author highlights work that CanChild
researchers have done in the field of family-centred service.
…Teaching Exceptional Children Plus
Cheryl Missiuna, Lisa Rivard, and Nancy Pollock have written an article
titled "They're
bright but can't write: Developmental Coordination Disorder in school
aged children".
What's New on the CanChild website?
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
"Encouraging
Participation in Physical Activities for Children with DCD"
provides information to help parents, educators, and service providers
identify physical activities in which children with DCD may be most successful.
"Suggested Readings for DCD" provides short descriptions of books about children with DCD. Recommendations are provided for which books are best for parents, teachers, clinicians, and researchers.
Outcome Measures
CanChild's "Outcome
Measures Rating Form" and "Outcome
Measures Rating Form Guidelines" have been revised to reflect
the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health
(ICF).
Knowledge Transfer
A Keeping Current titled
"Knowledge Transfer in Health Care" has been posted.
This document will be of interest to individuals who want to develop a
strategy for sharing knowledge, including research findings, with others.
Written Communication
A "Tip
Sheet on Written Communication" is also available. This document
shares strategies that researchers at CanChild use to produce reader-friendly
written materials.
Did you know…
…there is a newly revised definition of cerebral palsy. In July 2004 an interdisciplinary group met in Bethesda, Maryland to discuss the definition and classification of cerebral palsy. Under the joint sponsorship of the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation in the US, and the Castang Foundation in the UK, the group developed a definition of cerebral palsy that they hope will be widely circulated. You are encouraged to visit the Castang Foundation web site to review and comment on the material posted there. For more information contact Peter Rosenbaum at CanChild.