Selecting Tasks & Activities With a Focus on Function

What are your patient’s goals? During the initial assessment, I always ask my patient what they would like to be able to do. A patient’s goals are usually expressed in functional terms.
Determine key problem areas Selective movements of the elbow, wrist and hand are easier to assess in a sidelying position (inhibiting abnormal shoulder movements).
Facilitate movement components Once I have determined which selective movements are missing, I use facilitation methods in a prefunctional task, in other words, a task that will prepare them for function.
Put movement into function Finally, I choose a functional activity that requires the same movements I used during prefunctional tasks. Functional activities help the patient to bridge the gap between movement and function.

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