September 2006

New Research Studies

Examining the Co-occurrence of Psychological Problems in a Population-based Sample of Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder
In the most recent competition, CanChild investigators were pleased to receive funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for an epidemiological study of children in Grades 4 - 8 who have Developmental Coordination Disorder and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  The study runs from 2006 - 09. For information, e-mail Cheryl Missiuna (Please place "Epidemiology Study" in subject line).

Understanding Determinants of Basic Motor Abilities, Self-care and Play of Young Children with Cerebral Palsy
In this grant funded by CIHR, researchers at University of Western Ontario (UWO), CanChild and Drexel University plan to recruit 750 children with cerebral palsy (250 in each of the GMFCS classifications of I & II, III, and IV & V) from multiple sites across Canada and United States.  Each child and family will be followed for one year to gain an understanding of the child, family, and service factors that contribute to early development. Results are expected to enhance service delivery through knowledge of key determinants that are and are not modifiable, thus facilitating realistic goal setting. For information, contact Doreen Bartlett.

An Update on Constraint Therapy in Children with Hemiplegia
This document discusses constraint therapy (physical constraint of the less affected arm) in children with hemiplegia. Sophie Lam-Damji and Darcy Fehlings from Bloorview Kids Rehab conducted a critical review of the current evidence. Click here to view.

Early Identification: Are Toddlers with Speech/Language Impairments at Increased Risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder?
This overview written by Robin Gaines and Cheryl Missiuna examines whether toddlers with speech/language impairment are at greater risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and whether their motor difficulties can be predicted when they are very young. Click here.

Speaking of…

CanChild was strongly represented at the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists' Conference held in June 2006 in Montreal , Quebec . Presentations included: "Young adults with developmental coordination disorder:  From disability to resilience" by Sandra Moll and colleagues; "Innovative occupational therapy service delivery in primary care settings" by Denise DeLaat and colleagues; "Collaborative classroom consultation for children with developmental coordination disorder" by Nancy Pollock and Cheryl Missiuna; "Participation of children with physical disabilities in out-of-school occupations" presented by Mary Law and colleagues.

…Child: Care, Health and Development
Deb Stewart and colleagues have collaborated on an article in this journal titled: "Keeping It Together: an information KIT for parents of children and youth with special needs." This article appears in the July 2006 edition (vol. 32 (4), 493-500).

Gillian King and colleagues have also published an article in this journal. The article is titled: "A qualitative investigation of changes in the belief systems of families of children with autism or Down syndrome" and appears in the May 2006 issue (vol. 32(3), 353-69).

…Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology (DMCN)
Members of the MACS study team (Eliasson et al.) have written an article that was published in DMCN in July 2006 titled: "The Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) for children with cerebral palsy: scale development and evidence of validity and reliability" (vol. 48(7), 549-54).

…Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ)
Cheryl Missiuna, Robin Gaines and Helen Soucie's article "Why every office needs a tennis ball: a new approach to assessing the clumsy child" contains video clips, parent interview questions, and screening activities . This article (vol. 175(5), pages 471-473) can be downloaded free of charge by going to www.cmaj.ca or click here.

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