An OT is teaching a 3-year-old with left CVA to perform one-handed dressing; which cueing method is most effective?

An OT is teaching a 3-year-old with left CVA to perform one-handed dressing; which cueing method is most effective?

• A. Physical prompts
• B. Step-by-step verbal instructions
• C. Sequenced photos of the steps in dressing
• D. A full-length mirror for self-observation

Answer: (A)

Guiding the movement with physical prompts provides proprioceptive feedback and direct motor guidance, which is essential for relearning a one-handed dressing task when the left side is weakened after a CVA. By hand-over-hand support, the child experiences the correct movement pattern in the actual task context, helps prevent compensatory strategies, and allows the therapist to tailor the level of help and fade it gradually as strength and coordination improve. Verbal instructions alone often rely on the child’s ability to translate language into motor action, which can be challenging with motor impairment; photos show the steps but don’t guide the movement, and a full-length mirror offers only visual feedback without assisting the motor execution.

Guiding the movement with physical prompts provides proprioceptive feedback and direct motor guidance, which is essential for relearning a one-handed dressing task when the left side is weakened after a CVA. By hand-over-hand support, the child experiences the correct movement pattern in the actual task context, helps prevent compensatory strategies, and allows the therapist to tailor the level of help and fade it gradually as strength and coordination improve. Verbal instructions alone often rely on the child’s ability to translate language into motor action, which can be challenging with motor impairment; photos show the steps but don’t guide the movement, and a full-length mirror offers only visual feedback without assisting the motor execution.