The Physiotherapy in Preschools Program: Describing a Student-Led Assessment Service for Children With Possible Motor Skill Difficulties

in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly

Click name to view affiliation

Margarita D. Tsiros University of South Australia

Search for other papers by Margarita D. Tsiros in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Emily J. Ward University of South Australia

Search for other papers by Emily J. Ward in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Sophie Lefmann University of South Australia

Search for other papers by Sophie Lefmann in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
, and
Susan Hillier University of South Australia

Search for other papers by Susan Hillier in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2019-0121
Keywords:
child; Movement Assessment Battery for Children; movement difficulty; physical therapy
First Published Online:
19 Jun 2020
In Print:
Volume 37: Issue 3
Page Range:
324–337
Restricted access

The aim of this study was to describe and undertake an initial evaluation of a student-led assessment service for children with possible motor-skill difficulties. A secondary analysis of cross-sectional descriptive clinical data collected from 2015 to 2016 was undertaken. Children (N = 102) were assessed in preschools by physiotherapy students (supervised by qualified physiotherapists). Key outcomes included the following: Children’s Activities Scale, Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, and demographic/service-usage/onward referral statistics. The results highlighted that for every five children referred/assessed, two were at risk of motor-skill difficulties (∼43%). About 66% of children were subsequently referred on or monitored (40% requiring multidisciplinary follow-up). Conversely 34% of children did not require further services. In conclusion, a student-led assessment service may be a sustainable and feasible option to assist children at risk of motor-skill difficulties, enabling onward referral. Additional evaluation is required to garner stakeholder feedback.

The authors are with UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

Tsiros (margarita.tsiros@unisa.edu.au) is corresponding author.
  • Collapse
  • Expand

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly

Cover Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ash, J.K., Walters, L.K., Prideaux, D.J., & Wilson, I.G. (2012). The context of clinical teaching and learning in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 196(7), 475–475. PubMed ID: 22509881 doi:10.5694/mja10.11488

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). Socio-economic indexes for areas (SEIFA): Index of relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/seifa

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Barnett, L.M., van Beurden, E., Morgan, P.J., Brooks, L.O., & Beard, J.R. (2009). Childhood motor skill proficiency as a predictor of adolescent physical activity. Journal of Adolescent Health, 44(3), 252–259. PubMed ID: 19237111 doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.07.004

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Barnhart, R., Davenport, M., Epps, S., & Nordquist, V. (2003). Developmental coordination disorder. Physical Therapy, 83(8), 722–731. PubMed ID: 12882613 doi:10.1093/ptj/83.8.722

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Black, M.M., Walker, S.P., Fernald, L.C.H., Andersen, C.T., DiGirolamo, A.M., Lu, C., … Lancet Early Childhood Development Series Steering Committee. (2017). Early childhood development coming of age: Science through the life course. The Lancet, 389(10064), 77–90. PubMed ID: 27717614 doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31389-7

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • CanChild. (2019). Developmental coordination disorder: Assessment & diagnosis. Retrieved from https://www.canchild.ca/en/diagnoses/developmental-coordination-disorder/assessment-diagnosis

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Introduction to program evaluation for public health programs: A self-study guide. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/eval/guide/introduction/index.htm

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cousins, M., & Smyth, M.M. (2003). Developmental coordination impairments in adulthood. Human Movement Science, 22(4–5), 433–459. PubMed ID: 14624827 doi:10.1016/j.humov.2003.09.003

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Green, D., Bishop, T., Wilson, B.N., Crawford, S., Hooper, R., Kaplan, B., & Baird, G. (2005). Is questionnaire-based screening part of the solution to waiting lists for children with developmental coordination disorder? British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(1), 2–10. doi:10.1177/030802260506800102

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Griffiths, A., Toovey, R., Morgan, P.E., & Spittle, A.J. (2018). Psychometric properties of gross motor assessment tools for children: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 8(10), e021734. PubMed ID: 30368446 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021734

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hanna, K., & Rodger, S. (2002). Towards family-centred practice in paediatric occupational therapy: A review of the literature on parent–therapist collaboration. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 49, 14–24. doi:10.1046/j.0045-0766.2001.00273.x

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Harris, S.R., Mickelson, E.C., & Zwicker, J.G. (2015). Diagnosis and management of developmental coordination disorder. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 187(9), 659–665. PubMed ID: 26009588 doi:10.1503/cmaj.140994

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Henderson, S., Sugden, D.A., & Barnett, A.L. (2007). The Movement Assessment Battery Children-2 examiner’s manual (2nd ed.). London, UK: Pearson Education.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hillier, S.L. (2007). Intervention for children with developmental coordination disorder: A systematic review. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 5(3), 1–11.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Liu, T., & Breslin, C.M. (2013). Fine and gross motor performance of the MABC-2 by children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7(10), 1244–1249. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2013.07.002

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lubans, D.R., Morgan, P.J., Cliff, D.P., Barnett, L.M., & Okely, A.D. (2010). Fundamental movement skills in children and adolescents: Review of associated health benefits. Sports Medicine, 40(12), 1019–1035. PubMed ID: 21058749 doi:10.2165/11536850-000000000-00000

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Magalhaes, L.C., Cardoso, A.A., & Missiuna, C. (2011). Activities and participation in children with developmental coordination disorder: A systematic review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(4), 1309–1316. PubMed ID: 21330100 doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2011.01.029

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • National Disability Insurance Agency. (2017). National disability insurance scheme: Access requirements. Retrieved from https://ndis.gov.au/people-disability/access-requirements.html

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Piek, J.P., Dawson, L., Smith, L.M., & Gasson, N. (2008). The role of early fine and gross motor development on later motor and cognitive ability. Human Movement Science, 27(5), 668–681. PubMed ID: 18242747 doi:10.1016/j.humov.2007.11.002

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Poon, J.K., LaRosa, A.C., & Pai, G.S. (2010). Developmental delay timely identification and assessment. Indian Pediatrics, 47(5), 415–422. PubMed ID: 20519787 doi:10.1007/s13312-010-0077-3

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Proctor, E., Silmere, H., Raghavan, R., Hovmand, P., Aarons, G., Bunger, A., … Hensley, M. (2011). Outcomes for implementation research: Conceptual distinctions, measurement challenges, and research agenda. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 38(2), 65–76. PubMed ID: 20957426 doi:10.1007/s10488-010-0319-7

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Reilly, J.J., & Kelly, J. (2011). Long-term impact of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence on morbidity and premature mortality in adulthood: Systematic review. International Journal of Obesity, 35(7), 891–898. doi:10.1038/ijo.2010.222

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Reilly, J.J., Methven, E., McDowell, Z.C., Hacking, B., Alexander, D., Stewart, L., & Kelnar, C.J. (2003). Health consequences of obesity. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 88(9), 748–752. PubMed ID: 12937090 doi:10.1136/adc.88.9.748

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rivilis, I., Hay, J., Cairney, J., Klentrou, P., Liu, J., & Faught, B.E. (2011). Physical activity and fitness in children with developmental coordination disorder: A systematic review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(3), 894–910. PubMed ID: 21310588 doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2011.01.017

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Robinson, L.E., Stodden, D.F., Barnett, L.M., Lopes, V.P., Logan, S.W., Rodrigues, L.P., & D’Hondt, E. (2015). Motor competence and its effect on positive developmental trajectories of health. Sports Medicine, 45(9), 1273–1284. PubMed ID: 26201678 doi:10.1007/s40279-015-0351-6

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rodger, S., & Mandich, A. (2005). Getting the run around: Accessing services for children with developmental co-ordination disorder. Child: Care, Health and Development, 31(4), 449–457. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2005.00524.x

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rosenblum, S. (2006). The development and standardization of the children activity scales (ChAS-P/T) for the early identification of children with developmental coordination disorders. Child: Care, Health and Development, 32(6), 619–632. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2006.00687.x

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Smits-Engelsman, B.C., Blank, R., van der Kaay, A.C., Mosterd-van der Meijs, R., Vlugt-van den Brand, E., Polatajko, H.J., & Wilson, P.H. (2013). Efficacy of interventions to improve motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder: A combined systematic review and meta-analysis. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 55(3), 229–237. PubMed ID: 23106530 doi:10.1111/dmcn.12008

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sugden, D.A., & Chambers, M.E. (2003). Intervention in children with developmental coordination disorder: The role of parents and teachers. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 73(Pt. 4), 545–561. PubMed ID: 14713377 doi:10.1348/000709903322591235

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • van der Fels, I.M.J., te Wierike, S.C.M., Hartman, E., Elferink-Gemser, M.T., Smith, J., & Visscher, C. (2015). The relationship between motor skills and cognitive skills in 4-16 year old typically developing children: A systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 18, 697–703. PubMed ID: 25311901 doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2014.09.007

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • van der Linde, B.W., van Netten, J.J., Otten, E., Postema, K., Geuze, R.H., & Schoemaker, M.M. (2015). A systematic review of instruments for assessment of capacity in activities of daily living in children with developmental co-ordination disorder. Child Care Health Dev, 41(1), 23–34. PubMed ID: 24283800 doi:10.1111/cch.12124

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ward, E.J., Hillier, S., Raynor, A., & Petkov, J. (2017). A range of service delivery modes for children with developmental coordination disorder are effective: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 29(3), 230–236. PubMed ID: 28654492 doi:10.1097/PEP.0000000000000423

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • World Health Organization. (2007a). Early child development: A powerful equalizer. Final report for the World Health Organizations’s commission on the social determinants of health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/ecd_final_m30/en/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • World Health Organization. (2007b). International classification of functioning, disability and health: Children and youth version. Geneva: World Health Organization Press.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Zwicker, J.G., Harris, S.R., & Klassen, A.F. (2013). Quality of life domains affected in children with developmental coordination disorder: A systematic review. Child: Care, Health and Development, 39(4), 562–580. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2012.01379.x

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Zwicker, J.G., Missiuna, C., Harris, S.R., & Boyd, L.A. (2012). Developmental coordination disorder: A review and update. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 16(6), 573–581. PubMed ID: 22705270 doi:10.1016/j.ejpn.2012.05.005

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 3304 621 19
Full Text Views 164 110 65
PDF Downloads 70 18 3