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More on Cerebral Palsy |
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| The Early Intervention Program |
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| Early childhood is a time of intense learning
in the life of a human being. Unfortunately this period extends
only for a few years, after which the ability to learn life-skills
reduces considerably. It is therefore very important to identify
a child with CP as soon as possible and start early therapeutic
intervention. Besides, a developing brain even if it is damaged,
is able to readjust and adapt with proper training and intervention. |
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| This program begins at an early stage with the
diagnosis that the child is affected with CP. An initial assessment
provides valuable information about the extent and severity
of the condition. At this stage the parents and family of the
CP child require proper counseling, support and education about
the condition of their child and his/her future. |
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| Among those involved in this program are parents
and family of the child, Medical professionals, Physio-therapist,
Occupational-therapist, Speech-therapist, Special Educators
and Social workers. |
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| The Schooler Program |
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| Cerebral Palsy is a severely disabling condition.
Problems of access and mobility, poor hand function, disability
in speech and language make it impossible for the child to be
in normal school. Besides education, these children will need
therapy, use of special aids for mobility, special seating,
training in activities of daily living, and speech. In short
a special environment, which cannot be provided in a normal
school. So they need to have a special school with specially
qualified teachers and therapists for their rehabilitation and
education. However, it will be the aim of this program to try
and put the more able child back into mainstream education.
This program also provides special vocational training depending
on the abilities of the child so that he will be able to be
gainfully employed later in life, either in open employment
or in a sheltered workshop. The social workers attached to the
program will source for suitable jobs upon the guidance of the
therapists. Children in the school going age of 4 years to 16
years will be included in this program. |
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| This program requires the help of Physiotherapists.
Occupational therapists, Speech therapists, special educators,
Social workers and vocational trainers, non-professional staff
like drivers, aides, office assistants and ayas. |
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| Sheltered Workshop |
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| After the schooling age, the adolescent who is
capable of being employed will be encouraged to do so. The Social
worker will source for an appropriate job in sympathetic organizations,
based on the suggestions of the therapists regarding the abilities
of the individual. Studies have shown that only a very small
population (about 4%) of affected individuals are capable of
open employment. However with specialized training and highly
modified environment like a sheltered workshop, about 20-25%
of them are able to be gainfully employed. Jobs like packing
materials into their respective boxes, sorting etc are usually
carried out in such workshops. Sympathetic companies and organizations
supply the raw material to the workshops and the employees are
paid by piecework. Besides providing a minimal income, this
helps to keep the person occupied, in a social group and boosts
his/her self-esteem. |
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| The Day- Care Program |
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| It is a sad but unfortunate fact that about 70%
of all affected persons will eventually become homebound and
totally dependent on parents and caregivers. While therapy and
other rehabilitation programs help reduce the effects of the
disability and it is not a cure in itself. The adult individual
can become very difficult for an aging parent to handle. If
both parents are working, it may become difficult for them to
leave the person unsupervised at home. Without maintenance-therapy,
the person may slowly lose all the skills he/she took so long
to learn, while in turn will make him more dependent. |
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| The day-care program will consist of a place where
parents or care-givers will be able to send their wards during
the day, where they will be cared by trained staff, who will
also provide the basic therapy required for the maintenance
of their already learnt skills. This program will include therapists
(for supervision only), therapy aides and caretakers. |
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| The society being in its infant stage, is unable
to accommodate the two above-mentioned programs (the sheltered
workshop and the day-care program). However, for these issues
are being addressed. |
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| For More Web Links: |
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| www.healthlink.mcw.edu |
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