Article

This exploratory study investigated the frequency of occurrence of gross motor
behaviors by nine children with cerebral palsy (CP) participating in an 11-month
conductive education (CE) program and the attainment of their gross motor
objectives. The intervention team determined gross motor objectives for each
child. Activities to achieve those objectives were fully integrated into the
child's daily routines. Interval by interval recording was used to observe eight
stability, seven mobility, and six transfer behaviors during four school days for
each child. The interrater reliability using a kappa statistic was 0.73-0.93 for
the observed behaviors. An independent evaluator determined that the children
achieved 83% of their gross motor objectives for the first term and 89% for the
second term of the year. Of the objectives initially not achieved, three related
to stair climbing, an activity not observed being practiced. Stability behaviors,
mainly sitting, occurred at substantially higher rates than all mobility and
transfer behaviors. All stability and transfer objectives that were practiced
were achieved. The children spent the majority of their day in sitting. While the
children achieved the majority of their motor objectives, the limited active
mobility seen in this and other preschools warrants further investigation.

Langue : ANGLAIS