The cat on a hot tin roof? Critical considerations in multilingual language assessments.

Background:  In speech-language pathology (SLP), there is a paucity of resources to provide just and equitable services to South Africa's culturally and linguistically diverse population. Although South Africa is a multilingual country, English remains the dominant language. However, there is limited research on resources for English additional language (EAL) speakers.

Analysing disability policy in Namibia: An occupational justice perspective.

Background: The Namibian disability policy of 1997 has not been reviewed for about 20 years, which has raised concerns with persons with disabilities and stakeholders in the fields of disability and rehabilitation. In March 2017, the government publicised its intention to review the policy. Thus, this study's purpose was to generate evidence that can contribute to the development of a more current disability policy that will promote occupational justice.

Voices on disability issues in Namibia: Evidence for entrenching occupational justice in disability policy formulation.

The national policy on disability in Namibia is overdue for review having been in existence for over 20 years. In 2017 the government of Namibia expressed intentions to review the policy. Concerns that can be framed as occupational injustice were raised by persons with disabilities in Namibia.

Evidence-Based Clinical Algorithm for Hypotonia Assessment: To Pardon the Errs.

Despite the many advances in diagnostics, the clinical assessment of children with hypotonia presents a diagnostic challenge for clinicians due to the current subjectivity of the initial clinical assessment. The aim of this paper is to report on an evidence-based clinical algorithm (EBCA) that was developed for the clinical assessment of hypotonia in children as part of the output of a multiphased study towards assisting clinicians in more accurate assessments. This study formed part of a larger advanced mixed methods design.

Community stakeholders' perspectives on the role of occupational therapy in primary healthcare: Implications for practice.

Background: Primary healthcare (PHC) is central to increased access and transformation in South African healthcare. There is limited literature about services required by occupational therapists in PHC. Despite policy being in place, the implementation of services at grassroots level does not always occur adequately.

Kinesio Taping of the metacarpophalangeal joints and its effect on pain and hand function in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: In persons suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints are commonly affected, resulting in inflammation, pain, joint instability, diminished grip strength and difficulties with function. However, the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping of the MCP joints in alleviating the symptoms has not been established.

Aim: To determine the effectiveness of bilateral Kinesio Taping of the MCP joints on pain, range of motion, grip strength and hand function in elderly individuals previously diagnosed with RA.

Exploring the occupational therapist's role in primary health care: Listening to voices of stakeholders.

Background: Re-engineering of primary healthcare (PHC) was initiated nationally in 2009. There is, however, little information on the role expected of occupational therapists (OTs)in PHC.

Objectives: This research aimed to understand how stakeholders of the Department of Health (DOH) perceived the role of OT in PHC service.

Are South African Speech-Language Therapists adequately equipped to assess English Additional Language (EAL) speakers who are from an indigenous linguistic and cultural background? A profile and exploration of the current situation.

This article presents the results of a survey conducted on Speech-Language Therapists (SLTs) regarding current practices in the assessment of English Additional Language (EAL) speakers in South Africa. It forms part of the rationale for a broader (PhD) study that critiques the use of assessment instruments on EAL speakers from an indigenous linguistic and cultural background. This article discusses an aspect of the broader research and presents the background, method, findings, discussion and implications of the survey.

'Toning' up hypotonia assessment: A proposal and critique.

Background: Clinical assessment of hypotonia is challenging due to the subjective nature of the initial clinical evaluation. This poses dilemmas for practitioners in gaining accuracy, given that the presentation of hypotonia can be either a non-threatening or malevolent sign. The research question posed was how clinical assessment can be improved, given the current contentions expressed in the scientific literature.

Consensus on hypotonia via Delphi process.

Objectives: To generate consensus on the assessment of hypotonia in the pediatric population, more specifically with respect to the clinical characteristics and first line tests and methods to be used to assess these characteristics.

Methods: Consensus methodology was used. A sample of experts was recruited based on specific inclusion criteria.

Reciprocal capacity building for collaborative disability research between disabled people's organizations, communities and higher education institutions.

This paper focuses on the reciprocal capacity building that occurred through collaborative research between occupational therapy departments from six higher education institutions in South Africa, community-based organizations and a disabled people's organization on disabled youth and their livelihoods. The authors aimed to identify principles for collaboration and capacity building from the pilot phase and first phase of the main study. Occupational therapy departments place students in communities for service learning experience, but little collaboration with disabled people's organizations and communities in research processes occurs that could enrich such partnerships and inform relevant curriculum development.