Setting realistic goals
Goals are important when making decisions about any treatment. Talking about goals with your rehab team is a good way to focus on the things that are important and meaningful for you, and to discuss what is realistic and achievable.
These are some examples of common goals set by Australian families and children:
Walking and mobility goals at home and in the community
- To walk longer distances without getting tired
- To improve walking with walker/crutches
- To improve walking around preschool
- To have less pain after long walks
Goals to improve independence in self-care activities
- To improve independence in toileting
- To improve dressing my lower body
- To stand independently in the shower
- To get out of bed on my own
Goals at preschool or school
- To stand still for school roll call
- To stand on my own at my preschool concert
- To get on and off the floor by myself, for story time
- To keep up with my friends
Leisure goals
To improve participation in sport and recreational activities.
Recent quotes from parents:
鈥渕y child no longer has melt downs, not in pain, not frustrated鈥�
鈥�.鈥� could pull up his pants after going to the toilet and no longer needs aides at school鈥�
鈥� our child could x-legged sit and said it doesn鈥檛 hurt - we had never realised it did鈥�