A man with cerebral palsy recounts his experiences as a young child and notes the frustrations in not being able to communicate other than by indicating "yes" or "no." He used a headpointer, typewriter, and communication board before finally experiencing the freedom of an electronic communication system with speech output. (CL)

The study compared training in two language systems for three severely handicapped, cerebral palsied, nonvocal adolescents: the Bliss symbol system and an iconic picture system. Results showed that students learned iconic symbols faster, maintained higher percentage of iconic pictures, gave more correct responses during generalization probes for…

Describes an individualized music program designed for a nonverbal, 18-year-old girl with cerebral palsy. A music consultant assisted the special education teacher in planning music activities and adapting music-making methods to the student's level of speech and motor-skill development. The student's interest and participation in music activities…

A psychotherapist with cerebral palsy recounts her own experience and the need of disabled persons to view their sexuality with openness and acceptance, develop a desirable body image, and reject the mystique of the idealized vision of sexuality. (DB)

This paper reports on analysis of three published texts attributed to a Finnish man with mental retardation and cerebral palsy using facilitated communication. Evaluation of the level of independence in writing, eye focus, reading ability, and controlled message passing concluded he was not the author of the texts. Discussion examines validation…

A travel cane was adapted for use by a 10-year-old boy with cortical blindness, severe mental retardation and cerebral palsy affecting his left arm and leg. The Specific Adaptation Mobility Cane utilizes the affected arm to hold the cane while leaving the other hand free for trailing walls, opening doors, carrying objects, and holding handrails.…

This study compared language abilities in three groups of preschool children (total n=18) who were born prematurely: children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy associated with perinatal brain injury, with similar brain injury but no motor impairment, and with no brain injuries. No significant differences were observed among the groups on any…

Constructing and maintaining a supportable daily routine is an important task for families with young children, particularly when the child has a disability. In this study, we examined relationships between children's developmental needs, disability diagnosis, and families' resources and accommodations. Participants included families with infants…

This article emphasizes the importance for parents and caregivers in recognizing and responding to a child's sounds and vocalizations as such are a child's initial attempts at speech and language production. The article presents important factors to consider in determining the presence of a child's speech, language, communication, and learning…

Discriminatory ability of several pediatric outcome tools was assessed relative to Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level in patients with cerebral palsy. Five hundred and sixty-two patients (400 with diplegia, 162 with hemiplegia; 339 males, 223 females; age range 4-18y, mean 11y 1mo [SD 3y 7mo]), classified as GMFCS Levels I to…

An analysis is presented of two different therapeutic activities designed for a profoundly deaf adult with cerebral palsy, DP. The study draws on techniques of qualitative methodology to identify elements that contribute to effective intervention practices for DP. Results indicate that therapeutic materials and activities must first of all be…

The article reports how the Career Associate in Special Education (CASE) program (designed to prepare paraprofessionals to work in special education classrooms) served a 2 1/2-year-old cerebral palsied child. The child's progress in the CASE program, whereby a practicum student was placed in a regular preschool with the child, is traced. (SBH)

The mother of a cerebral palsied young man stresses the importance for an exceptional child's appearance being as near normal as possible. (SBH)

This response to an article (EC 633 617) on the use of facilitated communication by a Finnish man diagnosed with mental retardation and cerebral palsy urges consideration of simpler alternative explanations (than his authorship of the texts) for the interesting text produced by the process in this case. It urges the use of double-blind, controlled…

A study involving 20 Afrikaans-speaking children with cerebral palsy found that recurrent otitis media in early childhood had a negative effect on articulation abilities of the 7 to 11-year-old children but that other factors such as intelligence also played a role. (JDD)