Shifting the Therapeutic Paradigm for Children with Neuromotor Disabilities to Maximizing Development

The United Nations Convention on the Rights to Children states that "Every child with a disability should enjoy the best possible life in society. Governments should remove all obstacles for children with disabilities to become independent and to participate actively in the community." This Special Issue sought to address this call by challenging historical legacy that surround pediatric rehabilitation. It focused on neuromotor disabilities and was a collection of publications from authors who use science to seek understanding about neuromotor disabilities with a hope of improving the lives of all children with such diagnoses that stem from etiologies such as cerebral palsy, stroke, hypoxic injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. This Special Issue included 13 original research articles investigating parental information, strengthening surgical outcomes, the development of unimanual and bimanual abilities, factors influencing NICU services, the achievement of goals, and novel therapeutic frameworks to guide the therapeutic process. It also included two perspective pieces regarding the importance of play in early childhood development and the importance of life-long fitness for individuals with disabilities.