Movement Development Clinic
The Movement Development Clinic is a research and teaching laboratory at the School of Physical Education, University of Otago.
Enrolment
The parents or caregivers who wish their children to be enrolled in the programmes are asked to complete the information on the referral form by parents or caregivers themselves, school teachers, and health professionals. Please ring Diane Steffens (479-8991) to request a referral form.
Referral
We accept referrals from teachers and health professionals, such as family doctors, paediatricians, child psychiatrist, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, health nurses. The parents or care-givers who wish their children to be enrolled in the programmes are asked to complete the information on the referral form. Please telephone the Clinic Secretary to obtain the referral form.
Teaching Laboratory
At the Clinic, University students learn how to teach children with unique learning needs. Emphases are placed on experiencing joy of movement and building confidence, while children are developing motor skills and physical fitness. Since students are not experienced teachers, the clinic accepts only those clients who have no major visual, hearing, emotional, behavioural or communication problems.
Research Laboratory
The Clinic has a research role, facilitating research projects regarding motor development and adapted physical activity. Your active participation is appreciated. To view recent clinic research, click here
Consultation
The Clinic staff are available for personal and group consultation concerning motor development upon request.
Consultation can include formal assessment, recommendation for intervention strategy, and health and educational services.
Location
The Clinic is on the ground floor of 665 Cumberland St; this building is directly behind the Otago Museum. There is no public car park close by, but there are metered spaces on Cumberland St and Great King St.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is teaching my child?
A: University students, who are learning how to teach children with unique attributes, whilst also studying the underlying theoretical aspects.
Q: Why isn’t the clinic more widely advertised?
A: We usually have a more than adequate number of children on the waiting list without having to advertise.
Q: How does the clinic select clients?
A: The number of children we can take in depends on how many students enrol in courses. Children are admitted on the basis of available dates, and the learning needs of students.
Q: Why don’t parents receive a written report?
A: Since students are still learning and developing their teaching skills, the quality of their reports does not yet reach the standard of an established educational or health care service. Therefore, a written report can only be obtained from the Director upon payment of a set fee. However, parents are actively encouraged to read students’ written work, and to discuss it with them.
Q: Can you extend clinic hours to make it more convenient to attend?
A: The Clinic is funded from the budget for teaching University students, and not as an educational or health care service for children. Due to financial constraints, we have to limit the clinic opening hours.
Publications from the Movement Development Clinic
- Miyahara, M., Butson, R., Cutfield, R., Clarkeson, J. (2009). A pilot study of Family Focused Tele-Intervention for children with developmental coordination disorder: Development and lessons learned. Telemedicine and e-Health, 15(7), 1-6.
- Miyahara, M., Piek, J., & Barrett, N. (2008). Effect of postural instability on drawing Errors in children: A synchronized kinematic analysis of hand drawing and body motion. Human Movement Science, 27, 705–713.
- Green, C., & Miyahara, M. (2008). Older adults and visual impairment: Lived experiences and a walking group, RE: View Rehabilitation and Education for Blindness and Visual Impairment, 39, 91-111.
- Miyahara, M., Leeder, T., Francis, G., & Inghelbrecht, A. (2008). Does an instruction of a verbal labeling strategy for hand movements improve general motor coordination as well as the Gestural Performance?: A test of the relationship between developmental coordination disorder and dyspraxia. Clinical Case Studies, 7, 191-207.
- Miyahara, M., Piek, J., & Barrett, N. (2006). Accuracy of drawing in a dual-task and resistance-to-distraction study: Motor or attention deficit? Human Movement Science, 25(1), 100-109.
- Miyahara, M. (2007) Age influences on working memory for hand movements: A test of metamemory deficit hypothesis. Experimental Aging Research, 33, 417-428.
- Miyahara, M., Piek, J., & Barrett, N. (2006). Accuracy of drawing in a dual-task and resistance-to-distraction study: Motor or attention deficit? Human Movement Science, 25(1), 100-109.
- Vandevelde, L., & Miyahara, M. (2005). Impact of group rejections from a physical activity on physical self-esteem among university students. Social Psychology of Education, 8, 65-81.
- Miyahara, M., & Wafer, A. (2004). Clinical Intervention for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A multiple case study. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 21(3), 281-300.
- Miyahara, M., & Register, C. (2000). Perceptions of three terms to describe physical awkwardness in children. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 21 (5), 367-376.
Contact
Movement Development Clinic
School of Physical Education
University of Otago
P.O Box 56
DUNEDIN
New Zealand
