My Focus Child's Self-Help and Motor Skills

My focus child is a five-year-old child with lots of smile. She has speech-language impairment. She has been attending in child care setting since she was an infant and first received services through the North Carolina Infant Toddler  Program. She received play therapy beginning at age 20 months. She initially received some physical therapy consultations. Her parent reported that she continues to receive PT session one time a year for her left leg with amniotic band.

Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) is a congenital disorder caused by entrapment of fetal parts which are usually a limb or digits in fibrous amniotic bands while in uterus. ABS is a rare condition caused by strands of the amniotic sac that separate and entangle digits, limbs or other parts of the fetus. Occasionally, reconstructive surgery might be needed to correct deep constriction grooves, fused fingers or toes, cleft lip, or clubbed feet (The Fetal Treatment Center). It is not genetic, nor is it caused by anything a pregnant mother did or did not do during pregnancy (http://www.amnioticbandsyndrome.com/). My focus child had amniotic band surgery on her left leg and continues to have orthopedic care once a year.

My focus child uses her self-help skills well. She feeds herself using utensils, uses the bathroom independently, washes hands, and undresses and dresses herself. Having attended the same child care center helps her to be familiar with and to carry on own routine activities. She does not require specially designed physical education. My focus child's amniotic band on her left leg does not seem to bother her or cause difficulty in participating in gross motor activities. She is very active and enjoys playing in different learning centers and on the playground. She can swing across the monkey bars and climb up and down a firefighters' pole. She climbs up, down and around a jungle gym and plays with a ball. She has very good fine motor skills as well. She writes her full name, draws and colors pictures and builds constructions, showing good control and coordination. Overall, my focus child shows no delay on her self-help and motor skills.

Resources:

The Fetal Treatment Center (2009). Amniotic Band Syndrome. Retrieved March 18, 2011 from http://fetus.ucsfmedicalcenter.org/

Amniotic Band Syndrome. Retrieved March 18, 2011 from http://www.amnioticbandsyndrome.com/