A Three Year Study on the Progress of Children Following Physiotherapy Treatment for Dyspraxia
By
Mrs. Michele G.Lee GradDipPhys MCSP SRP
Prof. Graham N. Smith GradDipPhys MCSP DipTP CertEd SRP

Correspondence address:
The Lee Medical Practice, Blaire House, Denham Green Lane, Denham, Bucks.
[email protected]
Michele Lee is in private practice based in Denham and lectures in Dyspraxia
Graham Smith is a private practitioner and lecturer based in Glasgow

Abstract

Following a study of 60 children with Dyspraxia by Lee & Smith in 1998, the original authors were keen to ascertain whether the improvement that had been reported at that time had been maintained up to 3 years post physiotherapy. Results from this new study showed that 33 out of the 60 children had continued to attend for reviews. Twelve (12) out of the total of 60 had required further courses of treatment and had shown that after this, they and all of the children who had continued to be reviewed, had maintained and in many cases improved upon the scores with their gross motor skills. The scores that had been taken in the original study and at their review, were compared to the results taken at a further assessment for this new study. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to all of the parents of the 60 children who had been included in the original study and 53 (88%) of these were returned. Findings from the questionnaire revealed that parents were very positive about their children�s progress, especially in relation to the gross motor abilities, self confidence and social skills. However, some concerns remained with the school work especially, mathematics, writing and short term memory.

This subject group will continue to be monitored and it is hoped that more long term data will be obtained and published. The aim being to confirm that, in the long term, physiotherapy is and remains an extremely effective form of treatment for Dyspraxia.