The supportiveness of t he enviroment and visual-motor intergration of children residing in a residential child care facility in Mauritius

Abstract

Part 1 of this study determined the demographic factors, including body mass index (BMI) associated with development, and the environmental supportiveness, as determined by the HOME Inventory, of 50 typical children living in the community in Mauritius. Their normally distributed developmental status, using the Beery-Buktenika Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI) confirmed their demographic and environmental factors were within acceptable limits, and were not associated with developmental delay. Based on the results of Part 1 as a standard for assessing development, Part 2 of the study considered the developmental status of 50 children living in a residential child care facility in Mauritius. Demographic information indicated exposure to factors associated with developmental delay, with HOME inventory scores falling below the accepted medians for the majority of the subscales. The below average scores on the Beery VMI, indicated developmental delay in child care group which should be further researched and addressed by occupational therapy.