Developmental disabilites

PT/OT Part 3: The Application of GAS to the IEP Process August 31, 2020 by Sue Cecere, PT, MHS
A boy sitting in the Rifton HTS with a caretaker by his side
Best practice in educational goal writing is for a goal to be discipline-free and reflective of meaningful outcomes, not only for the current IEP cycle but looking forward. Given the one variable requirement of GAS, how does this process work when developing team-oriented goals?
PT/OT Part 2: What Is Goal Attainment Scaling? August 12, 2020 by Sue Cecere, PT, MHS
A girl sitting on a Rifton Adaptive Tricycle with a caretaker holding the front guide bar
Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is a client-centric, criterion referenced measure of progress, responsive to minimally significant changes in a specific outcome, whether it be an individual goal or a functional goal.
PT/OT Part 1: Why Goal Attainment Scaling? July 21, 2020 by Sue Cecere, PT, MHS
A boy sitting on a Rifton Compass Chair and looking at a book
In March 2017, the Supreme Court ruled on the case of Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District. Endrew F. was a student with autism who for years had made only minimal educational gains under the IEP developed by his school, causing his parents to transfer him to a private school.
PT/OT Postural Management July 07, 2020 by Richard Harvey
a girl standing in a Rifton Mobile Stander, smiling and holding her hands in the air, with a caretaker
Postural management during waking and sleeping hours is paramount to health and well-being as well as a child’s future functional ability. Learn more from an expert in the UK.
Tips & Advice Beyond the Stander May 28, 2020 by Elena Noble, MPT
A little girl standing in a Rifton Mobile Stander looking at a pet bird in a cage
Encouraging standing development means thinking creatively. In the home, we can teach standing skills during routine sit-to-stand transfers or toileting breaks. Here’s how to get started.
PT/OT Positioning for Functional Seating May 13, 2020 by Lori Potts, PT
A boy sitting in a Rifton Activity Chair with a forward-leaning tilt
Active sitting promotes trunk and head control and can improve a child’s posture and functional use of the arms and head. Learn how to position and adjust an adaptive chair to encourage active sitting.
Tips & Advice The Four P’s of Gait Training in the Home April 24, 2020 by Elena Noble, MPT
A boy walking in a Rifton Pacer gait trainer with the assistance of a caregiver
Providing therapy services for your child at home has a unique set of challenges. Here are some tips and ideas for crafting a successful home gait training session.
Evidence Based Practice State of the Evidence: Intervention Effectiveness in Children with Cerebral Palsy March 26, 2020 by Elena Noble, MPT
A therapist helps a young girl into a gait trainer
In 2013, Iona Novak and her team put together one of the most comprehensive evidence-based overviews of pediatric interventions. With over 200 systematic reviews performed since then, this evidence update adds strength and definition to recommended interventions for children with cerebral palsy.
PT/OT SATCo, Adaptive Equipment and You November 18, 2019 by Sue Cecere, PT, MHS
boy sitting on Rifton Activity Chair with caretaker
SATCo is a valuable tool to help clinicians determine just where a client needs trunk support in order to engage in a task or activity. The work of Butler et al. demonstrated the validity of the tool and its ability to detect trunk weakness and postural control challenges. This approach to assessing the trunk is a paradigm shift.
Stories May I Have This Next Dance? June 24, 2019 by Jeoan Pierre, Special Education Teacher
a young girl dancing in a Rifton Pacer gait trainer in front of a red stage curtain
As a special ed teacher who has worked with students with a variety of physical challenges, I have a particular appreciation for Rifton Equipment. There’s a distinct excitement in seeing how the right equipment can change a child’s life. A piece of equipment could help someone be a runner, walk down the aisle to receive a diploma, or, in the case of one of my students, be an independent...
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