The University of Toledo

Perceptual Motor Development

The Perceptual Motor Development Program at The University of Toledo

A program designed:

• To serve children and youth with special needs.
• To prepare tomorrow's professional.

The Perceptual Motor Development (PMD) program is a unique community service offered by the Kinesiotherapy Rehabilitation and Research Center at the University of Toledo. The program is designed for children and youth with special needs from 12 months through 21 years. Children referred to the center are identified as having physical, cognitive, emotional or social difficulties.

The program has three seperate offerings.  Mondays 6 to 8 PM, Thursdays 4 to 6 PM, or Saturdays 8:30 to 10:30 AM. 

Children from several communities in northwestern Ohio participate in the Saturday morning and weekday programs. The program is conducted in two twelve-week sessions during the academic year.  There is also a summer program offered twice weekly for six weeks.

The Perceptual Motor Development program is held in the Health Education Center on the main campus of The University of Toledo. The program functions as part of the Kinesiotherapy Rehabilitation and Research Center and utilizes the gymnasium and pool complex, a physical fitness training room and a fine and gross motor activity room.

Cost:
The cost of the program is $250.00 per child per semester and can be paid for through Family Resources, cash, or checks.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM

The Perceptual Motor Development program was founded at the University of Toledo in 1975. Over the years, the program has received recognition from parent groups, education specialists and members of the medical and psychological fields.

The program seeks to improve the "total fitness" of children and youth with special needs by enhancing fine and gross motor skills and patterns. In addition, the clinic concentrates on the improvement of self-esteem by strengthening the emotional-social aspects of a child's personality through success at play. All individuals need and desire to participate successfully with others in games, activities and team sports. The Perceptual Motor Development program offers children and youth an opportunity to strengthen their skills and succeed at a variety of activities, thus allowing for their fuller participation in school and social events. Furthermore, the enrichment of perceptual motor skills appears to affect the overall development of the learning potential of children. Each child in the program is assigned a clinician who, through observation and assessment, develops an individualized educational plan to meet the child's needs. Utilizing the data from the assessment, goals and objectives are established to address the specific areas of concern. To achieve the goals of each child's education plan, a variety of activities will be included in their program.
A child's program may include:

• Physical fitness activities to improve muscular strength, endurance and flexibility.
• Body awareness and spatial orientation.
• Fundamental motor-patterns and sport skills.
• Fine motor and visual perception activities.
• Swimming and diving skills.
• Group activities to improve social skills.

THE CLINICIAN
Clinicians involved in the program are undergraduate and graduate students chosen from various fields of study at The University of Toledo. The clinicians are highly motivated individuals who show eagerness to work in the program and demonstrate a willingness to learn and accept an educational challenge to motivate and to teach children and youth with varying deficiencies.

The Perceptual Motor Development program offers students the opportunity to gain professional expertise and an opportunity to apply theory to practice. The college students gain valuable educational experiences through the program orientation, staff meetings and training sessions. Clinicians also learn from parents through a well-established line of communication. Clinicians keep parents informed of the progress of those in the program and offer activity ideas.

APPLICATIONS
Inquiries and applications for enrolling children in the Perceptual Motor Development program can be obtained by contacting:

Jackie Wilkins, B.Ed., R.K.T..-Director Perceptual Motor Development Program
The Kinesiotherapy Rehabilitation and Research Center
The University of Toledo
Health Education Center, Room 1190
Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390
Ph:   419-530-2756
FAX: 419-530-5345
Email: jacqueline.wilkins@utoledo.edu


REFERRALS
Recommendations to the program may be made by: physicians, optometrists, therapists, educators, psychologists and social workers. However, a written referral from a licensed physician is required before entry into the program. Referral forms may be obtained with the application form.

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
A special thank you to Dr. Joseph Huber, Director of the Bridgewater State College Children's Physical Development Clinic, for his support and editorial assistance.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Jackie Wilkins, B.Ed., R.K.T.-Director Perceptual Motor Development Program
The Kinesiotherapy Rehabilitation and Research Center
The University of Toledo
Health Education Center, Room 1190
Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390
Ph:   419-530-2756
FAX: 419-530-5345
Email: jacqueline.wilkins@utoledo.edu