Among findings of a review of articles by British occupational therapists are the following: (1) major influences include Ayres, Cruickshank, Frostig, Kephart, Van Witsen and Mesker; (2) ideas underlying child assessment and treatment techniques are mainly empirically based; (3) the sensory integration approach is less well known than in the…

After a brief overview of theory related to motor skill development in children, an update on approaches to motor development assessment and programming is provided. Descriptive/product, process-oriented/diagnostic, process/descriptive, and reflex testing approaches taken in motor ability assessment are reviewed, and some of the strengths and…

This paper reviews the current literature on the suggested uses of play for assessment, prevention, and intervention with special needs children. The paper also uses case studies to illustrate the ways play is being used to facilitate achievement of early intervention goals and discusses advantages and disadvantages of these uses of play. The…