Outcomes?

We met with the caregivers on Monday to review the principles they learned, complete various surveys, distribute therapy items and toys, and discuss follow-through components. 

Here's a first glance at the process and outcome evaluations I tracked:
1. Meeting attendance:
      Caregivers:  80.1%
      Sisters:  13.9%
2. Caregiver Knowledge Survey:  (Bear in mind this survey was created by myself, and some of the questions were not explicitly covered in the lesson plans...or were lost in translation.)
<><><><><>   <><><><><><>   <><><><><><>  <> <><><><><> 

	Pre (% correct)	Post (% correct)
Health Outcomes	43	37
Development	70	87
Behavioral Issues	53	67
Sensory Concerns	40	64
TOTAL	52	64

***Red sections were the primary focus of the weekly lessons

3. CBCL results pending until the caregivers complete them at the beginning of October. 

4. Feedback from the caregivers:
*Strategies learned and currently use regularly: (Number of caregivers who gave the response)
     >Time-out and rules regarding time-out (2)
     >Break every 20 min. during homework time (3)
     >Encouragement and praise when the children behave (2)
     >Have the children repeat the instructions (3)
     >Ask the children if they understand the instructions (2)
     >Giving the children a verbal time notification (e.g. 10 min. left)
     >Using "please" and "thank you" when speaking with the children
     >Saying the instructions one time
*Strategies learned and want to use more often:
     >Encouragement and praise when the children behave (3)
     >Have the children repeat the instructions
     >Time-out and rules regarding time-out
     >Giving the children a verbal time notification (e.g. 10 min. left)
     >Reading the rules together with the children
     >Not paying as much attention to mistakes or using criticism
     >Giving the children more freedom to express themselves
*Stategies learned and probably won't use:
     >Saying the instructions one time (2)
     >Enforcing the rules when the children disobey (3) [Yikes!]
     >Relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation
[It's nice to hear they have utilized or want to utilize many of the strategies we discussed, and that many of them gave similar responses.  Now increasing the consistency will be key...]

Here's a first glaces at the lessons learned during my time here:
1. You can't help everyone, but you can positively change something.
2. Modeling and immediate feedback matters.
3. Love is a powerful therapy tool.
4. Advocacy never escapes the mind of a devoted therapist.
5. More occupational therapists need to be involved in orphanages.
6. Community practice requires flexibility without compromising goals.
7. Age makes a difference; so does effective communication.