Assistive Technology for Victims of Cerebral Palsy

01-2010-18

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the general term for people suffering from lack of control of muscle and joint movements, due to injury to the brain, either during birth or as the result of a developmental “accident” caused to the embryo. Depending on the location and extent of the damage, CP can range from mild - with minor incapacitation, to severe, leading to the patient being confined to a wheelchair or bed, with practically no control of body functions and /or movement.

Recent world-wide technological advancements have improved the treatment and rehabilitation of cerebral palsy patients. The general term for the use of these methods to improve the lifestyle of CP patients is called Assistive Technology (AT).

AT devices include tools, equipment and services designed to compensate for, or enhance the function of the physical or mental capacities that are impaired in C.P. patients. These technologies are suitable for children and adults.

Augmentative Communication Devices (ACDs) help CP patients communicate with their surroundings and thus contribute to their independence. They range in complexity – from simple boards with pictures which enable a child to indicate certain needs - to sophisticated electronic speech synthesizers. This independence can result in a significant psychological boost for the patient. Speech synthesizers are connected to a portable computer with which the patient manipulates either by keyboard using their fingers or, in more severe cases, by a breathing apparatus that “translates” breadth in to speech via the synthesizer. One of the most famous individuals using this method is Stephen Hawkins who has lost virtually all of his muscle control due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Yet, through various assistive devices including a computerized speech synthesizer, he is an international authority in cosmology and quantum gravity, and is the author of many books.

Manual communication boards are more reasonably priced ACD’s. They are inexpensive communication devices and are considered “manual” since they contain no mechanical parts. Communication is facilitated through photographs, symbols or words, which can represent the user’s message. A program called Boardmaker can be personalized for each individual’s needs.

BIGmack is a light, easily transportable device that uses pre-recorded messages, which the user can display to communicate his/her thoughts or needs.

Dynavox is a computer device designed for schoolchildren. With an interface that is quite similar to “folders” on a regular computer, the child selects school-topic related categories from the menu on the screen, which includes subcategories. Through this method, the child can communicate within any specific category.

In addition to communication devices, there have been technological improvements in mechanical assistance for CP patients. Many new devices have improved mobility, and include postural support, seating systems, open-front walkers, special canes and gait poles. New, improved electronic wheelchairs are granting mobility to more severely impaired patients. These advances are enabling even severely confined CP victims to reach an unimagined level of independence and communication.

On the social level, many international and national organizations are devoted to finding resources for the treatment of Cerebral Palsy and to support for victims of CP. Notable among these is the March of Dimes.

Many new breakthroughs for improving the conditions of CP patients are being achieved practically daily. Victims of CP and their families are discovering these technological breakthroughs on the internet and are benefiting directly from discoveries being made all over the world.

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