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Play Helps: Toys and activities for children with special needs
Play Helps: Toys and activities for children with special needs, by Roma Lear. William Heinemann Medical Books, London, 2nd edn, 1986 (ISBN 0 433 19086 8).Illus. 186 pages. €9.95. Children with special needs require from time to time new toys or activities to help them to attend, move and play purposefully. These toys or activities do not, however, have to be expensive or utilise advanced technology. Consequently, w i t h her extensive experience, Roma Lear has created delightful toys and devised stimulating activities to help children to develop their sensory motor abilities, for example, to make throwing bean bags more challenging, she paints a smiling face on a cardboard box. She cuts a large mouth and attaches a bell which rings each time a bean bag is successfully thrown in (see figure). Most of the activities require minimum
hypertension? That the stigma of a psychiatric referral may render an Asian ineligible for an arranged marriage? This and other useful information, however, is covered by almost any one of the articles in this book. Facts are stated and restated: they are not explored in depth but merely repeated to the point of tedium. We are told no less than seven times that beefderived insulin is taboo to Hindus and pork insulin to Muslims. It is very irritating to find that t w o or three good articles have been inflated into a book, not by development, research or discussion, but purely by repetition. The strong suspicion of being the victim of a marketing hype could induce cynicism and create antagonism to the praiseworthy (if monotonous) subject of these articles. The author is as human as his readers and displays the prejudices normal i n a gentleman of his age and upbringing. He believes that the problem of unemployed female doctors 'so bitterly contested by Womens' Lib' would be solved by them all working in family planning clinics; and in his view, to have the practice of female circumcision banned by legislation 'would be an over-reaction'. I cannot recommend this book in its present form but any of the single articles on the subject by Dr Qureshi are well worth reading, should you come across them. PATRICIA ALLCHURCH BA MCSP
A n example of one of the author's clever adaptations shown in 'Play Helps'
preparation and use inexpensive things found in, the majority of homes. This imaginative book is well written and is supplemented with illuminating case studies and pictures. It also contains a list of relevant organisations and books which will be of much use to readers wishing to learn more about specialised methods of teaching and handling. The book will certainly be of interest t o Chartered paediatric physiotherapists who incorporate the creative use of toys and play in their repertoire of approaches and techniques for children with special needs. CHlA SWEE HONG MA DipCOT Transcultural Medicine: Dealing w i t h patients from different cultures, by Bashir Qureshi FRCGP. Kluwer Academic Publishers, PO Box 55, Lancaster, 1988 (ISBN 0 85200 938 0).228 pages. f25. This book is really a collection of 27 short articles, on a single subject, previously published in a range of medical magazines. Dr Qureshi - born in India, trained in Pakistan and working as a GP in London draws on his wide experience to make several valid points, highlighting ethnic physical differences of clinical importance and warning of cultural taboos likely to cause misunderstandings i n cross-cultural consultations. Did you know that enemas are taboo to ethnic Asians, especially women? That West Indians are prone to a unique form of severe
54
Physical Therapy Procedures: Selected techniques, by Ann H Downer BA MS LPT. Charles C Thomas, 2600 South First Street, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9265,4th edn, 1988 (ISBN 0 398 05457 6).Illus. 326 pages. $24.75. This fourth edition of Ms Downer's book covers 'How to' do selected physiotherapy techniques. It is achieved in 311 pages consisting of eight parts with 40 chapters, three appendices, bibliography and index. The eight parts relate to introduction, techniques for superficial heating, deep heating, cold, electricity, ultraviolet, traction and miscellaneous. The book is out-dated in style in the manner of Lace and Prosser of yesteryear. It is also reminiscent of other books produced in the 1940s and 1950s - a doit-all book with very little discrimination. lt is prissy with the use of capital/block lettering for emphasis, the approach is narrative rather than outline and becomes prescriptive in manner. We have moved away from this. The author states: 'The goal is to provide systematic and correct approaches to carrying out treatments with various pieces of equipment.' The simple practical methods have not been sacrificed and the text must still be used to augment when, where and what for and when not to, because theory and techniques should not be separated in the learning process. I have no quarrel with the aims but the book does not look or feel right. The author states authoritatively what should be done in practice without leeway for variation within the guide lines: 'Is it following the scientific basis, is it safe, is it achieving the objectives?' It is rather like reading the transcript of a tape recording of a practical session where there has been demonstration and subsequent practice by students with
consequent correction but very little individualism. I like most of the content, the information is generally sound. The data will give any student a sound basis for practice. Some of the procedures are not taught on the preregistration syllabus - iontophoresis, medical galvanism, use of the Hubbard tank fluidotherapy, combined UVR and IRR and infra-red bakers (!I. There is no mention of interferential. The equipment data in the appendices are for the United States market. The book leaves me uneasy - there is some very useful information which could be used by the experienced teaching the inexperienced, but I do not like its style or Iayout . J A FOWLER BA MCSP DipTP
Back Pain: A practical guide t o coping, by David and Linda Tagg. Crowood Press, Crowood House, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2HE, 1989 (ISBN 1 85223 161 0).Illus. 96 pages. €2.95. This book is aimed at the general public with or without back pain. Over six chapters it covers the main areas of a back school. The first chapter briefly explains the causes of back pain, with more detail on the basic structure of the back in chapter two. Further chapters look at what can go wrong, giving a very clear explanation of how disc damage occurs and the resulting problems. Explanations of how to reduce stress on the back; looking at sitting posture, handling objects, household and working situations are also covered. There is a useful section on various sporting activities. The last two chapters cover coping with back pain at home, w i t h a very comprehensive explanation of all the tests and treatments available. The book is easy to read with the text clearly laid out. There are very few diagrams, however, and more would make the explanation easier to understand. It is one of many books that provide a useful adjunct to a back school, or give the information needed to look after your back for those people to whom a back school is not available. KAREN SMITH MCSP Healing with Radionics - The science of healing energy, by A L G Dower. Thorsons, Wellingborough, 1988 (ISBN 0 7225 1541 3).96 pages. €4.99. This small book describes in pi:: chapters, the historical background, training for and applications of radionics. The basis on which 'the healing energy' works is by using a 'witness' which could be a drop of blood or strand of hair, placed in a special apparatus, which is operated by the practitioner, who then uses various methods to find out the best way to effect a cure for the owner of the 'witness'. The first chapter gives the historical background and evolution of the techniques. The second chapter explains how practitioners are trained and subsequent chapters describe the various situations in which radionics has been successful. These include both agricultural and human applications. There is no attempt to describe controlled trials to prove the effectiveness of this practice, but one is left with a curiosity to know more about it. NADIA ELLIS, MCSP
Physiotherapy, January 1990,vol76, no 1
hypertension? That the stigma of a psychiatric referral may render an Asian ineligible for an arranged marriage? This and other useful information, however, is covered by almost any one of the articles in this book. Facts are stated and restated: they are not explored in depth but merely repeated to the point of tedium. We are told no less than seven times that beefderived insulin is taboo to Hindus and pork insulin to Muslims. It is very irritating to find that t w o or three good articles have been inflated into a book, not by development, research or discussion, but purely by repetition. The strong suspicion of being the victim of a marketing hype could induce cynicism and create antagonism to the praiseworthy (if monotonous) subject of these articles. The author is as human as his readers and displays the prejudices normal i n a gentleman of his age and upbringing. He believes that the problem of unemployed female doctors 'so bitterly contested by Womens' Lib' would be solved by them all working in family planning clinics; and in his view, to have the practice of female circumcision banned by legislation 'would be an over-reaction'. I cannot recommend this book in its present form but any of the single articles on the subject by Dr Qureshi are well worth reading, should you come across them. PATRICIA ALLCHURCH BA MCSP
A n example of one of the author's clever adaptations shown in 'Play Helps'
preparation and use inexpensive things found in, the majority of homes. This imaginative book is well written and is supplemented with illuminating case studies and pictures. It also contains a list of relevant organisations and books which will be of much use to readers wishing to learn more about specialised methods of teaching and handling. The book will certainly be of interest t o Chartered paediatric physiotherapists who incorporate the creative use of toys and play in their repertoire of approaches and techniques for children with special needs. CHlA SWEE HONG MA DipCOT Transcultural Medicine: Dealing w i t h patients from different cultures, by Bashir Qureshi FRCGP. Kluwer Academic Publishers, PO Box 55, Lancaster, 1988 (ISBN 0 85200 938 0).228 pages. f25. This book is really a collection of 27 short articles, on a single subject, previously published in a range of medical magazines. Dr Qureshi - born in India, trained in Pakistan and working as a GP in London draws on his wide experience to make several valid points, highlighting ethnic physical differences of clinical importance and warning of cultural taboos likely to cause misunderstandings i n cross-cultural consultations. Did you know that enemas are taboo to ethnic Asians, especially women? That West Indians are prone to a unique form of severe
54
Physical Therapy Procedures: Selected techniques, by Ann H Downer BA MS LPT. Charles C Thomas, 2600 South First Street, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9265,4th edn, 1988 (ISBN 0 398 05457 6).Illus. 326 pages. $24.75. This fourth edition of Ms Downer's book covers 'How to' do selected physiotherapy techniques. It is achieved in 311 pages consisting of eight parts with 40 chapters, three appendices, bibliography and index. The eight parts relate to introduction, techniques for superficial heating, deep heating, cold, electricity, ultraviolet, traction and miscellaneous. The book is out-dated in style in the manner of Lace and Prosser of yesteryear. It is also reminiscent of other books produced in the 1940s and 1950s - a doit-all book with very little discrimination. lt is prissy with the use of capital/block lettering for emphasis, the approach is narrative rather than outline and becomes prescriptive in manner. We have moved away from this. The author states: 'The goal is to provide systematic and correct approaches to carrying out treatments with various pieces of equipment.' The simple practical methods have not been sacrificed and the text must still be used to augment when, where and what for and when not to, because theory and techniques should not be separated in the learning process. I have no quarrel with the aims but the book does not look or feel right. The author states authoritatively what should be done in practice without leeway for variation within the guide lines: 'Is it following the scientific basis, is it safe, is it achieving the objectives?' It is rather like reading the transcript of a tape recording of a practical session where there has been demonstration and subsequent practice by students with
consequent correction but very little individualism. I like most of the content, the information is generally sound. The data will give any student a sound basis for practice. Some of the procedures are not taught on the preregistration syllabus - iontophoresis, medical galvanism, use of the Hubbard tank fluidotherapy, combined UVR and IRR and infra-red bakers (!I. There is no mention of interferential. The equipment data in the appendices are for the United States market. The book leaves me uneasy - there is some very useful information which could be used by the experienced teaching the inexperienced, but I do not like its style or Iayout . J A FOWLER BA MCSP DipTP
Back Pain: A practical guide t o coping, by David and Linda Tagg. Crowood Press, Crowood House, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2HE, 1989 (ISBN 1 85223 161 0).Illus. 96 pages. €2.95. This book is aimed at the general public with or without back pain. Over six chapters it covers the main areas of a back school. The first chapter briefly explains the causes of back pain, with more detail on the basic structure of the back in chapter two. Further chapters look at what can go wrong, giving a very clear explanation of how disc damage occurs and the resulting problems. Explanations of how to reduce stress on the back; looking at sitting posture, handling objects, household and working situations are also covered. There is a useful section on various sporting activities. The last two chapters cover coping with back pain at home, w i t h a very comprehensive explanation of all the tests and treatments available. The book is easy to read with the text clearly laid out. There are very few diagrams, however, and more would make the explanation easier to understand. It is one of many books that provide a useful adjunct to a back school, or give the information needed to look after your back for those people to whom a back school is not available. KAREN SMITH MCSP Healing with Radionics - The science of healing energy, by A L G Dower. Thorsons, Wellingborough, 1988 (ISBN 0 7225 1541 3).96 pages. €4.99. This small book describes in pi:: chapters, the historical background, training for and applications of radionics. The basis on which 'the healing energy' works is by using a 'witness' which could be a drop of blood or strand of hair, placed in a special apparatus, which is operated by the practitioner, who then uses various methods to find out the best way to effect a cure for the owner of the 'witness'. The first chapter gives the historical background and evolution of the techniques. The second chapter explains how practitioners are trained and subsequent chapters describe the various situations in which radionics has been successful. These include both agricultural and human applications. There is no attempt to describe controlled trials to prove the effectiveness of this practice, but one is left with a curiosity to know more about it. NADIA ELLIS, MCSP
Physiotherapy, January 1990,vol76, no 1