theories of motor development

[estherderu]

dear Bobby,

Sorry for not answering this post earlier. I have been busy translating and correcting a manual for a colleague.

The answer to your last question So again, do you have a strong preference towards a specific model? has to be....

I do not really know enough about the "models"
I suppose that is probably the reason why so many "older experienced physio´s" will not, or cannot go into discussion with the young thoeretically "better" educated colleagues.

Last year, at the AECD conference in Groningen Holland, one of the keyspeakers Diana Damiana, reflected on the differences in the way PTers work and she told us that in the USA there are currently "two camps" These colleagues are in discussion, but both groups are still persuing their own way.

I would very much like to try understand and fill this "gap- communication problem?" and try reach consenses on what "the best" treatment is today and why!
Lets try!
Tell me....
what theories are currently "in" at the moment?

Does the fact that the Dutch have tried to integrate the ICF into their daily practice count for something?

Does the fact that I read a lot and still go to- and have always been- to numerous postgraduate courses ( problem being, they have always been in Europe)make me a "good candidate" for such a discussion?

Is it possible that I might not "remember" the theoretical explanations given, but concentrate on what is being said and seeing the practical implications??

Is it possible, that - being an old bird- I have heard so many explanations, hypothesis, so many people telling me this was "it", "the best therapy for..." that I have become a little sceptical???

Is it possible that some young colleagues have problems believing what older coleagues say because they percieve to have all the wisdom?

Should we not always try to stay open-minded and not just believe what some guru is telling us, even if it is so-called EBM?

Help me understand please!

Hope others join this discussion!

What is your opinion.... do we need to duplicate this discussion on more forums, such as the wcpt forum and the myphysicalspace forum?????


Esther

[linbin]

hi esther
most of the theories mentioned are discussed under the title of"theories of motor control". i agree that they will definitely be overlapping.in the book "reflex and vestibular aspects of motor control,motor development and motor learning" by marylou r barnes,carolyn a crutchfield etal they discussed 3 theories of motor development

[Bobby Nabeyama]

Hello Esther,

Sorry for such a delay. You bring up some good points regarding communication challenges between therapists. As far as age as being a constraining variable- it does seem so at times. However, in my experience both “younger” and “older” therapists may or may not know much about motor control or development. To be quite honest, I do at times jokingly stereotype older therapists as not knowing much of modern physical therapy. That they might still be so greatly influenced by Bobath/NDT, not be able to apply research to practice, being easily duped by fad treatments, and are really just practice as technicians. That being said, I’ve discriminated the same for new graduates or other younger therapists!

Theories and conceptual frameworks are vital in PT practice. If not how does one know what to do with a patient in front of oneself? You can’t know. You could defiantly guess. I find too much guessing going on and it’s disturbing. In clinical practice we should attempt to discriminate right and wrong practice, correct or incorrect, best or worst. Now if these terms are too moralistic or absolute let’s at least maintain an emphasis on objectivity and discriminate practices as more effective or less effective. Let’s get away from this sort of open minded and eclectic practice where everything goes and you can never be wrong because everything works because every patient is different.

What to you think?

Anyway, we’ll chat more about motor control theories and clinical conceptual frameworks.

Bobby

[Bobby Nabeyama]

So has anyone read Postural Control: a key issue developmental disorders by Hadders-Algra?

Guess we either don't care much of research or are fearfull of chatting about it.

[estherderu]

Hi Boby,
Am in the middle of it.....
Have made sure two of my spanish colleagues have bought it as well...

Do not have much time (no time in fact) at the moment, am busy with preparing a course and going on a BIG holiday. Will be back to really dig into it in october....... isn´t that horrible

Esther

[Bobby Nabeyama]

I see Esther is still by herself here on this site. Do pediatric therapists even care about advancement of discussions?