Twenty young children (mean age = 32 months) with cerebral palsy (CP) recruited from early intervention programs received 30 minutes of massage or reading twice weekly for 12 weeks. The children receiving massage therapy showed fewer physical symptoms including reduced spasticity, less rigid muscle tone overall and in the arms, and improved fine…

A mother recounts her experiences teaching receptive language to her 3-year-old cerebral palsied, mentally retarded daughter. A chart outlines the objectives in language acquisition, the indication(s) of achievement, and date of achievement. (PHR)

Thirty-six English children with cerebral palsy (ages 3-4) were compared on their skills for independence. Nineteen of the children were enrolled in a Conductive Education Program, and 17 were enrolled in special education programs. Results indicate there were no significant differences between the two groups in their independence skills.…

This article presents an interview with a mother using a new mobility curriculum with her 4-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy. The physical supports or prompts used in the MOVE curriculum are designed to facilitate the use of mobility skills, not to replace them. An overview of the curriculum is provided. (Contains references.) (CR)

The cerebral palsied child with severe neuromuscular impairment is the focus of a research paper which reviews physiologic limitations as well as psychological and social conditions that interfere with normalization of the handicapped child from birth to the beginning of the school years. (MC)

The eighth in a series of annual bibliographies of the Collaborative Perinatal Project lists 30 manuscripts and journal articles from studies on cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and other neurological and sensory disorders of infancy and childhood. Entries are grouped under the categories of core and non-core data publications (based on…

This guide by a yoga instructor and mother of a child with Down Syndrome is intended to provide specific instructions on the use of yoga with infants and young children having Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, or learning disabilities. Part 1 contains narratives on the use of yoga including the story of Roberta, the author's daughter, and other case…

The case study of a six-year-old nonspeaking girl with severe cerebral palsy demonstrated the effectiveness of intervention with augmentative and alternative communication methods. Both picture symbol communication and functional speech emerged and the child, initially believed to be mentally retarded, was determined to be of normal intelligence.…

Comments on a study that reported the positive effects of a neurobehavioral intervention approach on motor skills of young children with cerebral palsy. Concludes that, in its current form, the neurobehavioral approach is only an initial step toward developing new methods for addressing challenging developmental concerns. (CR)

This study assessed differences in oromotor development between 10 verbal and 10 nonverbal young children (ages 30 to 48 months), all with autism. A variety of oromotor difficulties were found in both groups, similar to those seen in children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. (DB)

We analyzed data from 87 mothers of children ages 15 to 44 months with cerebral palsy (CP) or no diagnosis, who completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Parenting Stress Index, Support Functions Scale, and Inventory of Social Support. Principal components analysis of the 15 subscales from the 5 measures revealed few cross-measure loadings. Mothers…

Written for parents to use in the home environment, this illustrated handbook describes the Maxi-Move program, an intensive one-year program of exercise for children of one to eight years of age, who have cerebral palsy. The program does not use physical therapy, patterning, or specific movement goals, but focuses on having fun, creating…

The paper addresses issues involved in the management of and curriculum for children with sensory impairments combined with cerebral palsy. The first part details typical deformities and their causes in children with cerebral palsy, and describes (with illustrations) techniques for therapeutic handling and positioning in daily living tasks at home…