What problematic behaviors are observed among mentally handicapped children receiving pediatric physical therapy?

Abstract

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine problematic behaviors of mentally handicapped children receiving pediatric physical therapy, through applying the Japanese version of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist(ABC-J) to persons receiving pediatric physical therapy. [Subjects] Subjects were 26 handicapped children who had received pediatric physical therapy (18 males and 8 females, aged from 1 year and 4 months to 19 years and 10 months). The raters were 5 physical therapists and 1 occupational therapist. [Methods] The subjects were rated using ABC-J. [Results] Twenty-four of 26 subjects showed "Irritability", 23 subjects showed "Lethargy", 13 subjects showed "Stereotypy", 23 subjects showed "Hyperactivity", 12 subjects showed "Inappropriate speech". [Conclusion] "Irritability" "Lethargy" and "Hyperactivity" showed comparatively a stronger tendencies. However, all items were graded high in comparison with reports for Down syndrome. The results of this study suggest that the subjects of pediatric physical therapy show problem in problematic behaviors.