Activity-Focused Motor Interventions for Children with Neurological Conditions

Abstract

This article presents a model to guide activity-focused physical therapy and occupational therapy interventions for children with neurological conditions. Activity-focused interventions involve structured practice and repetition of functional actions and are directed toward the learning of motor tasks that will increase independence and participation in daily routines. According to this model, the pediatric therapist: (1) develops activity-related goals in collaboration with the child and the family; (2) plans activity-focused interventions by adapting knowledge of motor learning to the child's individual learning strengths and needs; and (3) integrates impairment-focused intervention with activity-focused intervention.

The effect of adding a home program to weekly institutional-based therapy for children with undefined developmental delay: A pilot randomized clinical trial

“…33,34 Activityfocused motor intervention is one of the most mentioned functionally based approaches. 29 In this model, the therapists focus on activity-related goals based on motor learning strategy. Structured practice and repetition of functional actions were arranged to learn purposeful tasks.…”

Actual vs. best practices for young children with cerebral palsy: A survey of paediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists in Quebec, Canada

“…This condition demands comprehensive rehabilitation using age-appropriate tasks and activities [3] which encompass aspects of body function and structure, activity and participation and personal and environmental factors [4].…”

Serebral Palsili Çocukların Tedavisinde Aile Odaklı Yaklaşım

“…As a member of the intervention team, the therapist develops an activity-related goal in collaboration with the child's family (58). A restricted timed before-after study exploring the effects of an intensive, goaldirected and, activity-focused physiotherapy program reported significant improvements in basic motor abilities, self-care in home environments and reduced need for caregivers' assistance in self-care and mobility (59).…”