The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different food textures on the amount of food intake by mouth and the recovery of oral motor function in children after acquired brain injury. The subjects were three children aged 3, 12, and 14 years with severe brain injury. A single case study with a Latin square design was used to randomly allocate three different food textures (puréed, minced, and soft) for each of three daily meals for up to 11 days per child. The primary outcomes were the amount of food intake by mouth and oral motor function, as measured by the Behavioral Assessment of Oral Functions in Feeding. Results indicated that texture and the person feeding the child are important variables for intake. The most clinically important conclusion was that the variability in each child with acquired brain injury reinforces the need for an individualized approach to decisions and treatment for feeding.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Participation in the occupations of everyday life.

Participation or involvement in everyday occupations is vital for all humans. As described by the World Health Organization, participation has a positive influence on health and well-being. The presence of disability has been found to lead to participation that is less diverse, is located more in the home, involves fewer social relationships, and includes less active recreation. Occupational therapy is in a unique position to contribute to the development and fulfillment of participation for persons with and without disabilities. This article describes the nature and outcomes of participation. Characteristics to define and measure meaningful participation are outlined. Information about time use will help to develop an understanding of patterns of participation across locations, gender, culture, and the life span. Factors that affect participation within the environment, family, and persons are summarized. Occupational therapy research is needed to examine the complex relationship among person, environment, and participation in occupations. In practice and education, knowledge about participation can enhance the client-centered and evidence-based nature of occupational therapy services.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Examination of the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System (PEGS) with children with disabilities, their parents, and teachers.

The Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System (PEGS) is an instrument and a process that enables children with disabilities to reflect on their ability to perform everyday occupations and to identify goals for occupational therapy intervention. In this study, 117 children with disabilities in grades 1-3 completed the PEGS with occupational therapists who work in school settings. Children from 6-9 years of age with a variety of disabilities were able to self-report perceptions of their effectiveness performing 24 activities that would be expected of them each day. Parents and teachers, who completed a parallel questionnaire, rated their abilities lower than the children did. The School Function Assessment, a measure of the amount and type of support required for school participation, had low correlations with the Parent and Teacher PEGS questionnaires and did not correlate with the Child PEGS. No differences in perceived efficacy were found for children across grades or gender; however, differences were found across types of disabilities. Children were able to use the perceived efficacy information to identify and prioritize goals for intervention and these goals remained stable 2 weeks later. Occupational therapists can use the PEGS within a client-centered practice to help the child set goals for therapy and to incorporate explicitly the perspectives of parents and teachers.

Child↗