Success Story - A Boy, A Dog and an OT

Grab a tissue and watch this heart warming video about how a special dog helped a 6 year old boy during his therapy sessions.

Gross Motor Function Following Acquired Brain Injury

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology published research on 287 Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) observations were made on 74 children with pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI). The results showed the following:
1. Children sustaining hypoxic–ischaemic injuries made the slowest and least complete recoveries.
2. Older children made faster gross motor recoveries after controlling for aetiology.
3. The time at which gross motor ability began to rise coincided approximately with admission to the rehabilitation facility.
4. Comparable item-difficulty scores in this sample and in the cerebral palsy population suggest comparable sequences of gross motor ability reacquisition.

Reference: Gemma Kelly, Sue Mobbs, Joshua N Pritkin, Margaret Mayston, Michael Mather, Peter Rosenbaum, Robin Henderson and Rob Forsyth. Gross Motor Function Measure-66 trajectories in children recovering after severe acquired brain injury. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. Article first published online: 29 SEP 2014 | DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12592

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Traumatic Brain Injuries and Sensory Processing

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published research on the sensory processing of children (3-10 years old) who experienced a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sensory Profiles were completed on a random sample of 20 children with TBI. The results showed "behaviors outside the typical range in all sections of the Sensory Profile except oral sensory processing". The researchers conclude that children who sustain a TBI should undergo a sensory processing evaluation.

One question I have - What was the Sensory Profile scores of these children prior to the TBI? Did the TBI cause the "behaviors outside the typical range" or were those behaviors there to begin with? What is your thoughts?

Reference: Jane Galvin-MOT, Elspeth H. BAppSc-BAppSc (OT), Christine Imms-PhD Sensory Processing Abilities of Children Who Have Sustained Traumatic Brain Injuries AJOT November/December 2009 Volume 63 / Number 6