
Optimality not normality
A Talk by Prof Margaret Mayston AM AM PhD (University College London, University College London)
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About this Talk
It seems that some therapists focus their intervention for children with childhood-onset disability on achieving the goal of typical/normal performance of activities. It has been suggested that they are 'fixing' the child. It is not possible to fix the child or to achieve typical functioning- but rather therapists should assist the child with their family to achieve their best developmental progression- i.e. their optimal- now and in the future.
In this talk I will review typical development and stress the need for active participation, with reference to the complexity of development, neuroplasticity and the ICF, and consider how an in-depth knowledge of child development enables health professional to assist each individual to achieve their best lived experience.