Trust, joy, confidence, and connection with peers are important for any child. Different therapies can be used to facilitate those feelings for children with disabilities, including animal-assisted therapy. Fostering a bond between a human and animal can promote psychological, emotional, and physical well-being. Specifically, horses can help to facilitate those goals in therapies known as…
Stuck at home during quarantine and looking for some new books to read to your children? We have compiled a list of our favorite books relating to children with cerebral palsy. They help explain the condition to classmates, friends, and siblings, and encourage children to understand and appreciate each other’s differences. My Friend Suhana: A…
A January study in The Journal of Nutrition found a link between supplementation of amino acid leucine and improved muscle tone and volume in adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy (CP) (1). Such a link could offer easy relief to various issues stemming from weak or inflamed muscle tissue. Leucine is a part of the…
Cerebral palsy (CP) and brachial plexus injuries both typically manifest in early childhood, as they are often caused by birth injuries (harm to a baby during or near the time of birth). These conditions differ in many ways, including that cerebral palsy is the result of brain damage/abnormalities which can be caused by traumatic birth…
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a non-profit that serves those with disabilities. They have many affiliate groups across the U.S. and Canada. UCP was founded in 1949 by parents of children with the motor disorder cerebral palsy. Over the years, UCP has raised awareness about the needs of individuals with cerebral palsy, as well as…
Dysphagia is a condition characterized by persistent difficulty or pain when swallowing. There are many causes of dysphagia, and people of all ages can suffer from it (1). Dysphagia is especially common for children with complex medical needs, with an estimated 30-80% of children with developmental disabilities having some form of dysphagia (2). Children with…
Unilateral (also known as hemiplegic) cerebral palsy affects the motor abilities on one side of the body. Children with unilateral CP usually have impaired upper limb function. For this reason, measuring the movement of the upper limbs is imperative in logging the progress of a patient with unilateral CP (1). In three-dimensional movement analysis (3DMA),…
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a motor disorder characterized by unusual or involuntary movements. Many people with cerebral palsy also have cognitive impairments and developmental delays (1). CP is the most common childhood motor disorder. CP is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the brain. This damage can occur before birth, during birth,…
The topographical classification of cerebral palsy (CP) is used to describe the body parts that are affected by the condition. Doctors commonly use this terminology to diagnose and explain where motor difficulties take place on the body. Key terms Each topographical classification includes a prefix that shows the number of areas affected, and a suffix…
Nervous system conditions that affect an individual’s movements are called “motor disorders.” They can result in increased voluntary or involuntary movements, as well as faster or slower movements (1). Many motor disorders can have similar signs and symptoms, even though they are caused by different underlying conditions or diseases. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a movement…
