Abstract
The Early Development Group at the Raeden assessment and treatment centre in Aberdeen included children and their parents, nursery nurses, therapists and teachers. It aimed to evaluate an alternative treatment method to that used in the centre for preschool children with disorders of movement and posture. The history, aims, philosophy and organisation of the group are described together with the research and the personal observations of the author, a paediatric occupational therapist who was the coordinator of the group. The concept for the group developed after visits to the Pet Institute in Budapest by the author and a paediatrician and incorporated some of the concepts of conductive education. The major findings of the project indicated increased confidence of the parents, high levels of parent and child involvement and enjoyment, and improved communication and interaction between parents and staff. There were improvements, but not marked changes, in motor abilities. Additional resources are needed for such a project and there needs to be adequate preparation of staff when new practices are introduced. The use of video recordings was an important source of data.