Multi-level skills transfer in Pakistan

The majority of children with cerebral palsy in developing countries have no access to trained therapists; for example, in Pakistan, there is less than one trained general physiotherapist per million population. In Pakistan, cerebral palsy handling skills were taught to a group of parents, teachers, and paraprofessionals in a series of practical training sessions. A pediatric physiotherapist led the group, in which a total of 37 children, with an average age of 6 years, took part in one or more 3-hour sessions. Assessment of each child was continuous throughout the handling and observation by the therapist. The sessions, designed to meet the needs of the poor and nonliterate mothers, covered developmental patterns, exercises, purposeful positioning for daily living activities, feeding techniques, and appropriate play materials. It was believed that the feeling of group support may have helped sustain and motivate the mothers. Clinic staff enhanced their skills in the group sessions as well, in order to provide more ongoing support for the families. As some mothers traveled long distances to come to the clinic, their attendance was erratic, requiring the group leader to assess as quickly and accurately as possible the degree of disability, the child's mental level, and the family's capacity to absorb and implement a practical plan. (Contains 12 refe ences.) (JDD) ****A--;,*AA********************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. HC) .) *********************************************************** nir=01, U.S. IMPAIRMENT OF EDUCATION Offtoe of F.lucationsl Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTE diMs document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization Handling the Cerebral Palsied Child: 0 Minor changes have been maid, to improve originating it. reproduction quality Rants of view or opinions stated in this documant do xit necessarily represent official OERI posnion or policy Multi-level skills transfer in Pakistan