Goal setting in CIC training for children with spina bifida

Abstract

Background Children with Spina Bifida are late in developing independence in activities of daily living specially toileting. Almost all of them use Clean Intermittent Catheterisation (CIC) which demands competence in fine motor-, perceptualand cognitive skills. The children need time and structured practice to be independent in this area. This involves the whole family why models of family centred practice and goal setting become important in planning the intervention. In a study that was presented at the SRHSB Conference in Barcelona, 2005 Allbrink Oscarson showed that the children seldom take part in the goal setting process for therapy. The goals are set by parents, caregivers and teachers and only in few cases are the children able to participate, often because the discussions are far too abstract for their cognitive ability. But children know about their occupational performance and they can participate in setting goals and objectives. Missiuna & Pollock (2000) developed an instrument, the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting instrument (PEGS), which can be used for goal setting in children age 5–9 years in activities of daily living. By using pictures, verbal instructions and comparing their capacity to that of their peers, it is possible to involve children with cognitive problems in planning intervention and treatment. This is important because motivation facilitates learning.