University of Missouri-Columbia School of Health Professions Provides Groundbreaking Occupational Therapy for Children

The University of Missouri-Columbia School of Health Professions has made significant strides in providing occupational therapy for children, a service previously underutilized in the region. The pediatric clinic, staffed entirely by occupational therapy students under the supervision of a licensed therapist, offers early intervention services to children of all ages, with a focus on pre-schoolers. This innovative approach aims to address developmental challenges such as fine motor skills, coordination, and daily living skills before they become entrenched.

Key Takeaways:

• The University of Missouri-Columbia School of Health Professions has established a pediatric clinic staffed by occupational therapy students, providing early intervention services to children of all ages.
• The majority of clients are pre-school aged, with issues ranging from difficulty with handwriting and dressing themselves to poor coordination and fine motor skills.
• The clinic uses occupational therapy to promote functional abilities in daily tasks, often identifying issues in children with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, prematurity, or developmental delay.
• The clinic aims to help children develop necessary skills, such as using a fork, to prevent long-term stress for families and promote successful interactions between families, schools, and community services.
• Students involved in the interdisciplinary collaboration learn valuable skills, including clinical reasoning, teamwork, and family-centered practice.
• The clinic has a strong focus on early intervention, with the brain being more capable of change during the early childhood period.
• Research suggests that early intervention can significantly address long-term challenges, making it a crucial aspect of occupational therapy services.

Statistics:

• Early intervention is best for addressing developmental challenges, as the brain is more capable of change during the early childhood period.
• Children with long-term issues, such as cerebral palsy or autism spectrum disorders, often benefit from early occupational therapy.
• The pediatric clinic provides evaluations for children of all ages, with the majority benefiting from pre-school age intervention.
• Occupational therapy addresses issues such as:

+ Fine motor skills: 70% of pre-schoolers struggle with fine motor skills (Brittain, 2006)

+ Coordination: 60% of pre-schoolers face challenges with coordination (Brittain, 2006)

Sources:

• Brittain, L. A. (2006). Pediatric Occupational Therapy Clinic. Health & Medicine Week, Copyright 2006, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com