Article

Postural management is used to help address the musculoskeletal and
participation issues associated with cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to
identify the factors influencing postural management in special schools.
A purpose-designed, cross-sectional, descriptive survey was sent to teachers,
physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists working with
children with moderate-to-severe CP, aged 5-12 years, in special schools within
South Australia. The instrument included four main areas: demographics, perceived
benefits of postural management, factors facilitating or hindering the
implementation of postural management programmes and suggestions for improvement.
Results were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Forty-three therapists and 18
teachers completed the survey (response rate 81%).
The most common factors
hindering postural management were positioning equipment being unavailable or
difficult to use, lack of time and school staff's knowledge and skills to carry
out postural management. Facilitating factors included therapy staff providing a
written postural management programme, open and regular communication between
therapy and school staff and timetabling of postural management into the daily
routine. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous factors impact on postural management for students
in special schools. Practical solutions highlighted were increased training for
school staff, timetabling of postural management into students' routines and
provision of written postural management programmes.

Langue : ANGLAIS