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…

A research study was conducted to investigate a control and display system for use with communication aids by physically disabled persons. A modification of a row/column scanning system was investigated to increase speed and accuracy of access to the communication system by six children with athetoid cerebral palsy. Four systems were compared:…

Eighteen studies (1952-1982) evaluating early therapeutic intervention for children with cerebral palsy are reviewed. Studies are explained to feature provisions of some type of traditional, neurophysiological/sensorimotor, or eclectic therapy and to have excluded pharmacological, dietary, or other specialized treatment procedures. Analysis is…

The Auto-Com, a communication device developed by a multidisciplinary team of educators, therapists and engineering students, has made it possible for a 16-year-old severely handicapped boy with cerebral palsy to communicate quickly and efficiently through printed symbols. (Author/CL)

The Computer Access Project offers specialized vocational training to individuals with severe physical disabilities. Ten participants, who were once thought unemployable, were given training in two areas of software applications (computer-aided drafting and bookkeeping). Student selection is described, and the importance of motivation noted.…

A Cerebral palsied woman offers a brief biographical sketch which focuses on the emotional aspects of her childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. (GW)

A STUDY OF PERCEPTION USED A SAMPLE OF 325 CEREBRAL PALSIED CHILDREN (211 WERE SPASTIC, 114 WERE ATHETOID) AND 110 NORMAL CHILDREN. ALL CHILDREN WERE BETWEEN SIX AND 16 YEARS OF AGE AND OF NORMAL INTELLIGENCE. TO INVESTIGATE PERCEPTUAL DISTURBANCES, SIX TESTS WERE ADMINISTERED--THE TACTUAL MOTOR TEST, THE SYRACUSE VISUAL FIGURE BACKGROUND TEST…

Summarized are the proceedings of a seminar concerned with methods of combating stigma resulting from facial disfigurement, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and leprosy. The purpose was to determine how theories about stigma can help in the development of new methods of public education in order to change public attitudes and reduce social stigma.…

The selected bibliography of research on physically handicapped children, children with special health problems, and children with cerebral palsy contains approximately 100 abstracts and associated indexing information drawn from the computer file of abstracts representing the Council for Exceptional Children Information Center's complete holdings…