Additional research education and support within organisations would be beneficial to ensure that children and families are receiving occupational therapy services that are based on sound, high-quality research evidence. The findings of this study provide insight into the perceived research knowledge, attitudes, practices of and barriers to Australian paediatric occupational therapists, enabling specific strategies to be implemented to increase the use of EBP and RU within the profession.

Secondary health conditions can significantly impact occupational participation following SCI. Appropriate intervention, including customised equipment and direct support, if delivered as part of an effective NDIS, may prevent or reduce the severity of these conditions and offer the potential to influence health and participation outcomes of people who have returned to community living.

IntroductionChildren with developmental coordination disorder or sensory processing and integration difficulties face challenges to participation in daily living. To date there has been no exploration of the co-occurrence of developmental coordination disorders and sensory processing and integration difficulties.MethodRecords of children meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – V criteria for developmental coordination disorder (n = 93) age 5 to 12 years were examined. Data on motor skills (Movement Assessment Battery for Children – 2) and sensory processing and integration (Sensory Processing Measure) were interrogated.ResultsOf the total sample, 88% exhibited some or definite differences in sensory processing and integration. No apparent relationship was observed between motor coordination and sensory processing and integration. The full sample showed high rates of some difficulties in social participation, hearing, body awareness, balance and motion, and planning and ideation. Further, children with co-morbid autistic spectrum disorder showed high rates of difficulties with touch and vision.ConclusionMost, but not all, children with developmental coordination disorder presented with some difficulties in sensory processing and integration that impacted on their participation in everyday activities. Sensory processing and integration difficulties differed significantly between those with and without co-morbid autistic spectrum disorder.

Wheeled power mobility can fulfil an intrinsic desire to be mobile, to explore one's environment and to be active and participate in occupations regardless of age. This opinion piece briefly presents the potential of power mobility for children with physical impairments, the recent evidence base, an exploration of the readiness and training of children in the use of power mobility, and current United Kingdom prescription practice. This mode of intervention should no longer be considered as the final option but, rather, as a tool to prevent passivity and dependence and to enable children to optimise their participation in childhood occupations.

Results suggested that skills training was effective in one of the skill areas with this client group. Further research is required to determine if community-based training is more effective than classroom-based learning.