ST+CECILIA

Disability Review: Cerebral Palsy

 Cerebral palsy is caused by brain injury during the pregnancy **.** By having damaged brain cells it controls less movement of muscles. The symptoms are usually not noticeable at birth, but can be seen before age 18 months. Severe cases appear as early as 3 months; there would be a showing of abnormal movement and difficulty sucking or feeding in infants. Injury to the largest part of the brain (cerebrum) can lead to the loss of nerve functions in different areas. Many children with this condition have increased muscle tone (spastically). It may affect: one arm or one leg, one side of the body, both legs, both legs and arms, and unsteady balance or foot movement.

Characteristics:

Some use crutches, wheelchairs, braces, or walkers. Delayed Speech Some muscles are weak or stiff and rigid drooling or swallowing problems seizures may have vision problems, causes weakness in muscles that control eye movement (one eye to turn inward or outward) Bladder and Bowel Control problems More prone to acquire other learning disabilities Babies cannot control their head

Treatments to Help Learning:

Communication skills are a main focus. __//Speech therapist//__ help with communication of learning throuh words, sign language and communication aids, which might be a book with pictures that show things the child could want. An alphabet board helps spell out a message. Technology of the computer can help talk for the child. __//Occupational therapists//__ teach by working with the child ways to use their body that will benafit the child's way of everyday living, for example: write/draw, cut with scissors, brush teeth, dress and feed themselves. There is special equipement for children to work with like: electric wheelchairs, big grip utensils for eating, table easel and scissors with no finger holes. __//Physical therapist//__ help maximize and coordinate movement and minimize discomfort and pain. That will help prevent long term complications. Many children benefit from counseling from a //__behavioral therapist__// to discuss the disability and how to live with it.

Support groups: //**United Crerebal Palsy**// (UCP) - An advocacy group and oranization. If there is not a support group in your area, the UCP connects families with others in their area who may be intrested. //**Cerebal Palsy International Research Foundation**// - A website that shows the latest news on research and available treatment options. Others post stories and it holds events for those effected.

The main goal of cerebal palsy treatment is to let the indivdual child reach the highest level they can in communication and independece for their future.

Childrens Books: __Rolling Along: The story of Taylor and His Wheelchair__, By: Jamee Riggio Heelan __Susan Laughs__., By: Jeanne Willis