Planning Rehabilitation

Abstract

Therapists often question who the client is when dealing with adolescents and their parents. A cross-sectional survey was done with 14 families to determine how rehabilitation goals differ between parents and adolescents. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was administered to each adolescent and parents). Parents identified 261 issues and adolescents identified 138 with an 8.77% level of agreement. Priorities were determined and the percentage of agreement was 10.94%. The results of this survey support clinicians' reports about discrepancies between parents' and adolescents' rehabilitation goals and warrant further exploration. The development of strategies for including adolescents in the rehabilitation partnership is recommended.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Heather McGavin

Michael Lepp, PT, is in private practice, Associate Instructor of the Upledger Institute, and Clinical Instructor, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH.

Marie McKenzie, MS, OTR, is in private practice. She was Coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Scottish Rite Hospital at the time of this study.

Heather Miller, MS, OTR/L, is currently employed by Madison County Educational Service Center, providing therapy services to the county's pre-schools. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an MS degree at Ohio State University.

Linda Viscardis, BA, is Team Leader and Community Development Worker, Peterborough Family Enrichment Centre. She is Co-Founder of P.R.O.S.P.E.C.T.S., a support and advocacy group for families who have children with special needs.

Debra Stewart, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Erinoak, Serving Young People with Physical Disabilities, Mississauga, ON, and Clinical Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.