May 2008

Research Updates

Move and Play Study
The Move and Play Study is examining the characteristics of the child, family and services that may have an impact on the acquisition of basic motor abilities, self-care, and play of preschool children with cerebral palsy at a critical point in their development. This study is recruiting families at 12 sites across Canada and the USA (Canadian sites are located in Victoria, Vancouver, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Peterborough, Halifax and St John's; U.S. sites are located in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Oklahoma, Seattle/Tacoma). There are currently more than 200 families participating and recruitment is ongoing until the end of the year. Families and service providers are invited to inquire about eligibility for this study. Please email the study coordinator, Barbara Stoskopf, at CanChild for more information.

The McMaster Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI) is a formally developed joint venture between McMaster University and the McMaster Children's Hospital. Founded in late 2006, MCHRI's research, knowledge translation, and teaching will focus on children and youth with long-term challenges of health or development, including mental health disorders, chronic illnesses, obesity and cancer survival. Several unique foci characterize MCHRI's research, including adopting a 'non-categorical' perspective on conditions that affect the trajectories of the lives and development of children and youth with any of a range of conditions. MCHRI will also address the health and well-being of families, bringing together researchers from a wide range of health service and research backgrounds to combine and cross-link their perspectives. Cross-cutting themes such as transition to adulthood, participation, and the role of environment will be explored. Formal engagement is planned with a range of non-traditional partners (parents, service providers, government policy-makers), and MCHRI will create opportunities to train the next generation of health services researchers across disciplines, research traditions and methodologies.

Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) - Expanded and Revised
A new version of the GMFCS is now available. The expanded GMFCS (2007) includes an age band for youth 12 to 18 years of age and emphasizes the concepts inherent in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The paper by Bob Palisano, Peter Rosenbaum, Doreen Bartlett and Michael Livingston has been accepted for publication in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. Click here to view the revised GMFCS.

DCD Resource for Educators: High School
Teachers can help students with motor difficulties reach their potential by making sure the task and the learning environment are right for the student. This document presents a MATCH strategy with specific suggestions for high school students. Click here to read more.

Suggested Readings for Developmental Coordination Disorder
This updated annotated bibliography of selected books on DCD may be useful for parents, teachers, clinicians, researchers, and children. Click here to view.

Daily Activities of Infants Scale (DAIS)
The Daily Activities of Infants Scale (DAIS) is designed to measure the variation in opportunities that parents provide their infants in terms of the development of antigravity postural control and movement exploration over a 24-hour period, through their daily activities. Psychometric testing has been completed on the DAIS and it has been found to be a reliable and valid parent-completed measure. Watch for an article by Doreen Bartlett and colleagues about this scale in a future issue of Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology! Click here to view scale.

Transition to Adulthood: Best Practice Guidelines
This brief report by Debra Stewart and Beverley Antle describes recommended best practice guidelines for services and supports addressing transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities in Ontario. Findings are based on a research study that collected data from focus groups, interviews, and a consensus exercise. Click here to view this In Brief.

At the 2008 Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in Nashville, Bob Palisano was presented with the Anniversary Award by the Section on Pediatrics. This award was established to recognize an individual who has made outstanding visionary contributions in an area of pediatric physical therapy, including practice, research, mentoring, or leadership. Congratulations Bob, on receiving this well-deserved award.

Two investigators with CanChild's Move and Play Study were also recognized at the Combined Sections Meeting of APTA. Lisa Chiarello was the 2008 recipient of the prestigious GE "Bud" DeHaven Award for extraordinary service to the Section on Pediatrics. Beth Tieman was awarded the Hughes Award for her article "Variability in Mobility of Children with Cerebral Palsy", published in the Fall 2007 Issue of Pediatric Physical Therapy.

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