Discover CanChild

Dr. Stephen Walter

Emeritus

An older man wearing a suit and tie smiles at the camera in this black and white portrait.

Biography

Dr. Stephen Walter is a Professor in the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at McMaster University. His epidemiology research has focused on chronic disease etiology, disease and developmental screening, muscule skeletal disorders, and the development of associated biostatistical methodology. Stephen is involved in studies of family-centred functional programs at OACRS centres, the development of a database classification system for gross motor disability, the motor development of children with Down syndrome and the creation of motor growth curves for children with cerebral palsy.

Area of Focus

Chronic disease etiology, disease and developmental screening, muscule skeletal disorders, and the development of associated biostatistical methodology

Resources

Caring About Caregivers

Through this research, we are investigating how various child and caregiver characteristics impact the health of primary, informal (unpaid) caregivers (usually parents).
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Focus on Function

The Focus on Function Study will compare two treatment approaches (“child-focused” and “context-focused”) that are currently being used for children with cerebral palsy and other developmental and motor delays.
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GMFCS – E&R

The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) is a clinical tool designed to evaluate change in gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy.
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Knowledge Broker

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapists, acting as Knowledge Brokers (KBs) within their own clinical facility to facilitate the clinical use of evidence-based measures of gross motor function for children with cerebral palsy.
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Knowledge Broker Study Report

Knowledge brokering is the process of “bringing people together, to help them build relationships, uncover needs, and share ideas and evidence that will let them do their jobs better.
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Motor Growth Curves

GMFM scores of a sample of over 650 Ontario children with cerebral palsy with varying GMFCS levels have been used to create five Motor Growth Curves.
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