Occupational therapy

Liftware levels playing field for disabled diners

The Liftware Level is a motorized utensil that automatically bends itself to counteract involuntary hand movements, to allow people afflicted with disorders like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease to feed themselves. … READ MORE

Edmonton toddler a whiz in homemade wheelchair

Just like other children learn how to crawl, Evelyn slowly figured out how to wheel. Evelyn Moore at Treehouse, an indoor playground in northeast Edmonton that she often visits with her mom. With no wheelchairs small enough for baby … READ MORE

Ballet improves balance, social skills in children with cerebral palsy

Classical ballet classes may help improve balance while enhancing social skills in school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP), according to a new study. Ballet Academy East, New York. Photo Rosalie-O’Connor Joana Fernandes PhD, … READ MORE

Singapore pilots autonomous wheelchairs

People living longer, and having fewer kids, means that there’s an issue around being able to hire enough people to perform essential jobs. Not to mention, of course, that the tax base will inevitably shrink, reducing the money … READ MORE

How the jacket zipper was perfected after 100 years

The two ends connect themselves, lock together and stay together. – Scott Peters Under Armour MagZip You might’ve heard about Under Armour’s crazy new zipper that only requires one hand to zip. Though the futuristic magnetic … READ MORE

Robotic gait training for kids with CP: Is it really effective?

UAlberta study recruiting children to evaluate Lokomat gait training program. Researchers at Canada’s University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine are investigating the effectiveness of a gait training program on a … READ MORE

How technology helps special-needs students excel

Educators in California, Montana and Washington explain how technology makes it easier to engage students with physical and learning disabilities. Wendy Burkhardt, seen here with student Kevin O’Brien, says the convergence of … READ MORE

Obi robot arm gives disabled diners a helping hand

Obi is a robotic arm designed to help people with physical disabilities to feed themselves. Robotic cooking aids are gaining traction in the modern kitchen, but the team behind Obi has a goal more noble than just cooking up a gourmet … READ MORE

Neuropsych — our experience

When our doctors first started talking about visiting a Neuropsych, they were having conversations with each other, while we were in the room. “Do you think a neuropsych would help?” … “Yes, but not yet…” or “Has he … READ MORE

Architect with ALS designs a residence he can control with just blinks

Steve Saling, an architect and engineer with ALS, helped design features of the Leonard Florence Center, Dapper McDonald ALS Residence, intended to preserve the independence of those with ALS, where he is a resident. Josh Reynolds for … READ MORE

The horse is the therapist

With hippotherapy, the horse provides the therapy. Three-year-old Jack Foster sat on his mother’s lap as she wrapped a towel carefully around his neck. “Jack has cerebral palsy and low muscle tone,” said his mother, Emily … READ MORE

Parent’s intuition leads to earlier intervention

In a bid to give parents a way to track their child’s health, Cognoa offers an assessment tool to conduct a child development screening at home. Marie Thibault, Associate editor, MD+DI May 11, 2016 Parents of young children … READ MORE

First ever stroke rehabilitation guidelines from AHA/ASA

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) has issued guidelines for the first time on rehabilitation after stroke, calling for intensive, multidisciplinary treatment. Banff Springs Golf Course and Hotel. … READ MORE

Mobility plays important role in development for toddlers with disabilities

Typical toddlers simultaneously spend about three hours a day in physical activity, play and engagement with objects such as toys, while their peers with mobility disabilities are less likely to engage in all of those behaviors at the … READ MORE

For parents of autistic children, more social support means better health

Concordia University research shows community care protects them against stress-induced immune problems. Une aide accrue réduit les troubles immunitaires liés au stress, indique une recherche de l’Université Concordia. Lisez … READ MORE

Autistic teen shows how tech transforms lives

Dillan Barmache can’t speak, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have anything to say. In fact, Dillan has complex and powerful thoughts, and thanks to easily accessible technology paired with innovative apps, you can hear his … READ MORE

5 steps for parents to take after receiving a special-needs diagnosis

Hearing a diagnosis of special needs can generate a huge crush of emotions for many parents. We asked the experts at Children’s Link Society for some tips for those dealing with a diagnosis. Calgary Herald, March 18, 2016 1. Breathe … READ MORE

Horses sooth the soul for special needs kids

The healing power of equine therapy. A pink-haired teenager painted two pictures on the side of her massive, living canvas. First, the girl drew a picture of a broken heart and a horse. Then, she used the paint to sketch a person and … READ MORE

iPad opens world to a disabled boy

OWEN CAIN depends on a respirator and struggles to make even the slightest movements — he has had a debilitating motor-neuron disease since infancy. Photo by Alene Tchekmedyian, L.A. Times By Emily B. Hager, The New York Times … READ MORE

A teenager who can’t speak finally sounds like himself

Electronic communication devices are evolving from robotic speech to personalized voices. Max Plansky is 16 years old, and like any teenager, he is trying to find his own voice. But for Max, the effort is complicated by the fact that … READ MORE

Exercise is ‘most effective’ method of preventing lower back pain

Exercises for golfers to prevent back pain. Watchfit “Exercise is the best medicine to banish back pain and stop people taking sick days,” reports the Daily Mirror. While this may be true, the research in question did not … READ MORE

Wearable chair for surgeons

Here is a wearable chair that allows surgeons to perform long surgeries with less muscle fatigue. It supports a half-sitting posture and reduces the burden of standing for hours each day. Cool Wearables. Archelis wearable chair helps … READ MORE

Dr. Jordan Raugust, MD, FRCPC, CSCN (EMG)

Kinesis is a specialty medical clinic founded by a group of physiatrists. Physiatrists are specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – nerve, muscle and bone experts who treat illnesses that affect how one moves. At … READ MORE

PlayFULL POTENTIAL Child and Family Therapy Services

PlayFULL POTENTIAL Child and Family Therapy Services is a private practice team that provides service coordination, psychology, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy in Calgary, Alberta. Services may … READ MORE

Catching knee osteoarthritis early

Pharmacists are about to take on a bigger role in preventive health care by offering early screening for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. “People see their pharmacists about seven times as often as their doctor, showing this is … READ MORE

Patellofemoral tracking syndrome

The beating heart of the conventional wisdom about patellofemoral pain is mostly nonsense. The idea of patellofemoral tracking syndrome is that the kneecap may not slide evenly as your knee flexes and extends, because of muscular … READ MORE

Physiotherapy for functional motor disorders: a consensus

Background Patients with functional motor disorder (FMD) including weakness and paralysis are commonly referred to physiotherapists. There is growing evidence that physiotherapy is an effective treatment, but the existing literature … READ MORE

Great systematic review on pediatric supported standing

Supported standing programs have been used in various settings for more than 50 years in an effort to reduce and prevent complications and to optimize various aspects of function. In spite of widespread clinical use, we lack … READ MORE

Robotic gait training doesn’t wow young patients with CP

Kids, parents differ on ‘normal’ gait. Although physical therapists and parents often strive for attaining normal gait in children with neuromotor disorders, a new study from researchers at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, … READ MORE

Post-polio syndrome: It takes a team approach

Donald Sutherland plays President Snow in the Hunger Games films. Sutherland contracted polio as a child and developed a love of reading while bedridden. He went on to become an accomplished actor, and has appeared in over 130 films. … READ MORE

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