Assessments

So many interesting things happened this week that I feel like I could write forever! But I will try to keep it short and will talk about the most exciting thing for me: the assessments. In my opinion the re-evaluations are the best part of the job as you get to see all the hard work paying off. This week we did many assessments on new children as well as re-evaluated several people and modified their treatment plans. The assessment tool used here at Toñito for many of the children is the Milani-Comparetti tool developed in 1967. What I like about the assessment is that it is simple to administer, quick, objective, and the results are clearly mapped out on a chart where progress can be clearly identified.

If a child cannot lift its head then all the exercises in the treatment plan focus on this goal. If they cannot sit or stand independently, then all exercises focus on developing these skills. It makes prescribing a treatment plan simple when using this method. I am dying to know if the Milani-Comparetti Assessment is used in Canada. It is very old, however many theories used today are based on research from long ago.

One girl we assessed had progressed significantly since her last test and I have noticed significant changes in my short time here. She could not walk independently when I arrived and had severe “atetosis” (uncontrolled movements), but now she can walk independently, count out loud, and her atetosis have diminished by a lot making it easier for her to develop more precise and planned movements. Not all the cases we evaluated were as progressed as this, but it definitely makes for a great reward!