In this third edition of Therapeutic Exercise in Developmental Disabilities, the emphasis is
on evidence-based practice. Although empirical evidence is only beginning to be accumulated,
it is essential that physical therapists and other health care providers become
aware of the scientific rationale that supports various intervention strategies and techniques.
Therapists will need to continually review the scientific literature and revise their
theoretical perspective as pertinent information is published. This text is designed to provide
a framework for evaluation and intervention with children with developmental disabilities
following the format provided in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Case
studies of five children representing typical developmental disabilities encountered by
physical therapists were chosen as the mechanism for applying a problem-solving
approach. The goal of physical therapy intervention is to promote optimal functional
independence for children with integration into home, school, and community life. We
hope that this text is valuable to students and clinicians and, in turn, to the children they
treat.