A Clinical Guide to Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) includes a group of permanent but non-progressive motor disturbances caused by defects in an immature brain. Next to postural abnormalities, movement disorders are commonly acknowledged. Speech deficits, communication delays, challenging behaviors, and locomotion and/or gait inabilities are usually embedded. Furthermore, children and adolescents with CP may have intellectual disabilities. Beside pharmacological approach and surgical interventions, cognitive-behavioral programs and assistive technology-based setups may be implemented. Both clinical practice and applied research may be targeted. The current volume emphasizes a two-decade professional experience of the Editor who works on technological-aided rehabilitative interventions to help people with multiple disabilities in daily settings. The independence, an active role, positive participation and functional occupation of individuals with severe to profound developmental disabilities were highlighted. The book includes eight chapters and provides the reader with practical guidance in daily circumstances. Chapter One is focused on an orthodontists perspective and deals with oral features, diagnostic method, and customized treatment to enhance the safety and the compliance of patients with CP. Chapter Two evaluates support networks of families raising a child with CP. Two different European geographic populations (i.e., Greece and Italy) were systematically compared. Chapter Three describes findings on Cerebral Palsy in Mexican pediatric patients and an experience in a National Institute of Health. Chapter Four presents a short clinical literature review on rehabilitation in CP. The newest empirical contributions were critically discussed. Chapter Five develops an on-track monitoring system to clarify longitudinal trajectories in children with cerebral palsy and systematic comparisons between children with CP were assessed. Chapter Six further argues on unique challenges for oral care and useful recommendations are outlined. Chapter Seven details a computerized customized system to enable three children with an independent request and choice process of desired items. Chapter Eight implements a keyboard tailored emulator to get literacy access in a child with cerebral palsy estimated in the normal range of intellectual functioning. A practical and updated guide to daily challenges posed by children and adolescents with cerebral palsy was presented. Both literature reviews and empirical contributions provide the reader with helpful tips on daily use once tackled with cerebral palsy. Clinical features of individuals with cerebral palsy were detailed and practical supervision was explained. That is, daily recommendations were argued with specific examples in different settings. Oral care, academic performance, leisure opportunities, and occupation options were fostered through practical and clinical guidance.