Contemporary Trends and Practice Strategies in Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapy

Abstract

This paper identifies and reflects on recent trends in pediatric occupational therapy and physical therapy practice. These trends were initially identified by the student authors for a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) leadership seminar, which was conducted as part of the postprofessional graduate program in physical therapy at the University of Washington. Trends were then reviewed and discussed among the student and faculty authors. Consensus was reached on the most important trends, which were subsequently summarized in this paper. The first part of the paper reviews the impact of these trends on current and future clinical practices in health, educational, and community-based settings. The second part of the paper offers proposed directions to meet the challenges presented by the trends in four key areas; (1) research, (2) professional education, (3) enhancing family-centered care, and (4) advocacy.