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Consultation in paediatric rehabilitation for behaviour problems in young children with cerebral palsy and/or
Suzanne McDermott1, Richard Nagle, Harry H Wright
1Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Family Practice Center, 6 Richland Medical Park, Columbia, South Carolina 29203, USA. suzanne.mcdemott@palmettohealth.org
Insights
This study shows that a consultation model improved adaptive behaviors and parent attitudes in young children with disabilities. The intervention was most effective for children with lower Mental Development Indices (MDI).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Health
Background:
- Behavioral problems are common in children with disabilities.
- Effective interventions are needed to support these children and their families.
- Paediatric rehabilitation settings offer opportunities for integrated care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a consultation model for behavioral issues in paediatric rehabilitation.
- To assess improvements in adaptive skills and family stress.
- To identify factors influencing intervention outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal assessment of 86 children (ages 1-6) with cerebral palsy, developmental delay, or medical conditions.
- Intervention involved monthly meetings between therapists and a multidisciplinary team.
- Participants received care through Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP).
Main Results:
- Statistically significant improvements were observed in adaptive skills (Vineland assessment).
- Parental attitudes towards their child's disability and family stress measures also improved.
- Greatest improvements were seen in children with Mental Development Indices (MDI) below 50.
Conclusions:
- The consultation model effectively improved adaptive behavior in young children with disabilities.
- The intervention positively impacted parent attitudes and reduced family stress.
- This approach is beneficial in paediatric rehabilitation settings for children with developmental challenges.
Abstract:
To measure the effectiveness of consultation for behaviour problems in a paediatric rehabilitation setting, this paper used longitudinal assessment of children who received the intervention through their regularly scheduled appointments with their Occupational Therapist (OT), Physical Therapist (PT) or Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) at three paediatric rehabilitation clinics in Columbia, South Carolina. The participants were 86 children with cerebral palsy (CP), developmental delay (DD) and medical conditions, ages 1-6 years, and their families. The intervention consisted of monthly meetings between rehabilitation therapists and a team consisting of a Child Psychiatrist, Developmental Pediatrician, Psychologists and a Preventive Medicine specialist. There were statistically significant improvements in the sub-scales of the Vineland adaptive skills assessment and the measures of family stress associated with the parent's attitude toward the child with a disability. The magnitude of the improvement was greatest for children with Mental Development Indices (MDI) less than 50. This assessment of young children with disabilities demonstrates the effectiveness of a consultation model in improving adaptive behaviour and parent attitude about their child.