Studying (plus bonus OP article)

Article first: Here is a link to an interesting article about osteoporosis. I like these lines in particular:

Everything that gets worse with age gets better with exercise," Trela says. "Exercising can increase 'healthspan,' not just lifespan. It makes people more energetic, alert, and flexible. People who exercise have less incidence of injury and are able to enjoy leisure activities better."

Study-blog second:

A vital aspect of PT is knowing the laws and regulations that our practice is responsible for. One class I am taking is Pediatric Diagnosis and Management and thus we have covered PT in Public Schools. Here is a list of some of the laws that apply to this area of practice and other interesting links (most information derived from Tecklin, JS, Pediatric PT, 3rd Ed., Lippincott, Inc. 1999):

President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (formerly the President's Committee on Mental Retardation)

- Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - mandates that no program receiving federal moneys would discriminate on the basis of handicap. Section 504 was of note because of it's direct implications on ensuring students with disabilities receiving appropriate education.
- 1975 - Education for All Handicapped Children's Act (Public Law [PL] 94-142) - provided for a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) for all children aged 5-21. PL 94-142 had numerous concepts within it including:

• zero reject (no child was to be excluded - different from no child left behind)
• least restrictive environment (includes mainstreaming or inclusion and has recently been termed "natural environment")
• parent participation
• nondiscriminatory evaluation (free from racial or cultural bias, test should be available for administration in child's native language)
• individualized education program (IEP) - comprehensive plan for each specific child created by a multidisciplinary team

- 1986, Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments (PL 99-457). Part B expanded PL 94-142 to include preschool children aged 3-5. It further specified the population as those "who are experiencing developmental delays... in one or more areas." Part H outlined early intervention services for infants and toddlers showing need for these services.

- 1988, The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act (PL 100-360) - Medicare's attempts at contributing to the related service needs of children as outlined in an IEP or IFSP.

- 1992, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (PL 101-336). Major impact was the provision that ALL public buildings must be accessible.

- 1993 (originally 1988), The Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act). Required public schools to acquire assistive technology deemed necessary for improving the functional capabilities of children with disabilities in that school.

- 1997 Reauthorization of IDEA (see the following description of the 1991 act: 1991, PL 94-142 and PL 99-457 were "reauthorized and amended" as PL 102-119 - the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments (IDEA). This included provisions for numerous other issues such as nutrition, family ed., home and community integration, assistive technology. Under Part H the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) was outlined for infants and toddlers.

That's all for now... more to come later... hope you learned something (or reviewed it)