CP factsheet An introduction to therapy

Transcription

1 CP factsheet An introduction to therapy Usually when we talk about therapy for people with cerebral palsy we mean the three mainstream therapies - physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, or forms of treatment that involve some or all of these. This fact sheet aims to give you some basic information about these therapies and how they can help. Physiotherapy A physiotherapist specialises in helping people who have problems with movement. Therapy consists of natural methods such as excercise, manipulation, heat and massage or ultrasound to help develop good patterns of movement. Physiotherapists are trained healthcare professionals who can also advise on the best ways of carrying, holding and positioning a disabled person or child. They normally work within multi-disciplinary teams in the NHS but can also be found in private practices or even health and fitness centres. They aim to treat physical problems linked to the musculo-skeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular and respiratory body systems. Speech and language therapy Speech and language therapy aims to enable people to make best use of their communication skills by expressing their ideas and by understanding those expressed by others. Speech and language therapists assess and work with people of all ages who have difficulties with: their speech understanding spoken and/or written language using language eating and drinking problems Speech and language therapists normally work in clinics, care settings, health centres, schools and hospitals as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Where a client (adult or child) is experiencing severe difficulty in expressing themselves, a speech and language therapist may introduce a communication aid that can either augment or replace speech. Speech and language therapists can give advice on feeding techniques for people with cerebral palsy, who may have chewing and swallowing problems.

2 Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy is the evaluation and treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions through selected activities to enable people of all ages to function as effectively as possible in daily life. An occupational therapist may work within the community, the hospital, school or a special unit. The occupational therapist identifies factors leading to the loss of a skill and assists the acquisition of new skills or in re-establishing skills that have been lost due to illness or trauma. These skills may be in areas such as home management, education, employment, social relationships and recreation. Within local authority social work departments, occupational therapists are responsible for the assessment and provision of suitable equipment and for major adaptations to an existing or new environment at home, school or work to enable an individual to function as independently as possible. How therapy can help children with cerebral palsy Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists often work very closely together to devise a treatment programme that will meet the needs of both the child and the carers. As the nature of cerebral palsy varies immensely, the therapy is adapted to the needs of the individual. These are some of the things that therapists might do: Therapists work at teaching children with cerebral palsy how to help spasticity (stiffness) in their muscles to promote and produce good patterns of movement. This is achieved through the use of exercise, structured physical activity and, if necessary, the use of splints. Physiotherapists will look at the best posture, walking pattern and seating for the child. The occupational therapist may try to develop certain physical and learning skills using special play equipment and advise on equipment to help mobility such as tricycles and trolleys. They will also give advice on equipment and aids that may enable the person to manage everyday activities more easily. Speech and language therapists may also be involved very early on if a child has feeding, drinking or swallowing problems. If speech is difficult, or if there are any other problems with language, the speech and language therapist will work towards implementing programmes to address the specific difficulty. Some children with cerebral palsy have delayed language because they are unable to play and explore like non-disabled children. Speech and language therapists will work with teachers, occupational therapists and parents to encourage suitable learning activities. 2 Speech and language therapists may also provide communication devices, which help a child who is having major problems with language or speech. The use of sign language, symbol speech or a communication aid will often lessen the frustration that

3 an individual experiences at not being able to communicate their wishes and desires. What therapists cannot do Therapists cannot cure cerebral palsy, but they can help reduce disabling effects. Through therapy, people with disabilities can achieve improvement in communication and movement, and can become more independent. Every person with cerebral palsy is different however, and not everyone will achieve the same results. When and how to get help Your family doctor or paediatrician should refer you to therapy services if they are needed. Referral is always necessary for physiotherapy and occupational therapy (unless you go privately). Speech and language therapy departments in hospitals and clinics can be contacted directly. If your child has cerebral palsy, the consequences may be difficult to determine in early life whilst the brain is still developing. Therapists will, however, play an important part in assessing your child s needs and the most appropriate ways to promote their development. Generally therapists like to see children when cerebral palsy is suspected or diagnosed. Some people with cerebral palsy receive therapy for a short time and some receive therapy throughout their childhood and into adulthood. There is no set amount of therapy that people with cerebral palsy should receive. The number of hours of therapy a person receives each week or month, and for how long, depends on an assessment of their individual needs. Your doctor or paediatrician may refer your child to a child development centre or paediatric assessment unit where a team of workers will review your child s needs. The key worker for a child with cerebral palsy may be a physiotherapist. They should keep in close contact with you and your child. Further information If you want to know more about physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech and language therapy services, here are some organisations to contact: Your doctor or local child development centre Your local social work department (for information on therapy services available in the local community) Your local education authority (for information on therapy services available in school) 3

4 The Chartered Society The College of Occupational Of Physiotherapy Therapists 14 Bedford Row Borough High Street WC1R 4ED SE1 1LB Tel: Tel: Website: Website: The Royal College of Speech & Language Therapy 2 White Hart Yard SE1 1NX Tel: info@rcslt.org Website: For general advice and information on communication aids, contact: CALL Centre Scottish Centre of Technology for the Communication University of Impaired (SCTCI) Moray House WESTMARC Paterson s Land Southern General Hospital Holyrood Road 1345 Govan Road Glasgow EH8 8AQ G51 4TF Tel: Tel: Fax: sctci@gtc.scot.nhs.uk info@callscotland.org.uk Website: Capability Scotland Therapy Services For further details and information about Capability Scotland s therapy services please contact: Hilary Cartwright Lead Service Manager - Allied Health Westerlea 11 Ellersly Road EH12 6HY Tel: hilary.cartwright@capability-scotland.org.uk As with any therapy or treatment, we advise people with cerebral palsy, carers and parents to consult their GP, consultant or health professional before starting or paying for any treatment. 4

5 Due to the individual nature of cerebral palsy, some people will benefit from specific treatments and therapies, and others will not. Assessment of individual needs is very important. Advice Service Capability Scotland acknowledges the co-operation of SCOPE in the preparation of this fact sheet. April 2104 Our Advice Service Advice Service Capability Scotland is a national disability advice and information service. We specialise in information on cerebral palsy. We offer: information on Capability Scotland services advice on cerebral palsy general advice on disability issues You can get in touch with us by calling, ing, dropping in or writing a letter. This Factsheet can be made available in other formats e.g. audio, large print Capability Scotland Westerlea 11 Ellersly Road EH12 6HY Telephone: Textphone: Fax: advice@capability-scotland.org.uk Scottish Charity SCO11330