Blogs by Laura Finney

Reframing Our Language in Paediatric Disability: Understanding Behaviour as Communication

In healthcare, the language we choose profoundly affects how we perceive, understand, and respond to our patients. For children with disabilities, and especially those with limited verbal skills, the term “behavioural issues” is often used to describe actions that may appear disruptive or difficult. Yet, this label risks reducing complex behaviours to simple “misbehaviour,” leading us to overlook the essential fact that all behaviour is communication.

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Developing Early Wheelchair Skills

Transitioning an additional needs child from a stroller to a self-propelling wheelchair is a significant milestone in their journey towards independence. As therapists, we play a crucial role in facilitating this transition, ensuring that children not only adapt to using a wheelchair but thrive in doing so. Developing wheelchair skills early is paramount, as it sets the foundation for mobility, independence, and confidence.

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Navigating Language in Disability: What's In A Name?

In an ever-evolving society, language plays a pivotal role in shaping our perceptions and attitudes. When it comes to discussing disabilities, the words we choose can have a profound impact, positive or negative, on people and their communities.

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Therapy in Practice – The (Lack Of) Provision Of Sleep Systems For Children

Wherever it is in the country that you practice, it is likely that the funding of sleep systems is very erratic. But why should this be?

Along with Seating, Standing and Walking, Supine postural supports (sleep systems) are a key component of a child’s 24-hour postural management programme but unfortunately, they are given much less recognition, research or reimbursement than the others.

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10 years on from the F-words: Thoughts on the latest research in this field

A recent paper from CanChild has reignited a discussion among the Leckey clinical team – one which I’m sure is familiar to many therapists – how to apply the ICF-CY in everyday practice? The paper, ‘Parenting a Child with a Neurodevelopmental Disorder’ (Rosenbaum and Novak-Palik, 2021) explores the transformative effect that the ICF-CY framework and the F-words have had on childhood disability.  It looks beyond the diagnosis and ‘fixing’ the child through intervention, to understanding the importance of parent perspectives and the role of the family unit as essential elements in paediatric development.

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Why squatting works best when you need to go

The squat posture can stretch tight muscles, reduce straining, and assist natural physiological function. The resulting toilet training success will have a positive impact on activity, participation, and quality of life for both the child and the family.  Now there is a child-sized product to support this functional posture the only question that remains is when are us adults going to catch up?

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