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Ways New Assistive Technology Can Assist Your Child with CP

Ways New Assistive Technology Can Assist Your Child with CP

Assistive technology is any device — electronic or not — that helps maintain, increase or improve functional living for individuals with a disability or impairment. With technological advances happening rapidly, they can be modified and applied to those living with disabilities, as well. These new technologies can improve communication, mobility, learning capabilities and hearing. By using these devices, families can better help their children at home, in school, and during fun activities.

New Assistive Technology at Home 

Some aspects of home life can be difficult when someone in the family lives with cerebral palsy. It is important to utilize the components that work for you and your family and eliminate those that don’t. Family members with disabilities can face a number of unique challenges, and the following devices can be utilized to make life a bit easier:

  • Plates and bowls with non-slip bottoms
  • Adaptive scissors and art supplies
  • Non-skid rugs
  • Automated assistive devices
  • Automated tables and chairs
  • Specialized bathroom devices to encourage independence and confidence

New Assistive Technology in School Environments

Many special education schools and teachers form an Individualized Education Plan for each student. These plans can include assistive devices tailored to the needs of the student. These devices can include:

  • Vision aids – magnifying sheets to assist in reading, as well as text-to-speech programs on computers that can read words aloud for children with hearing challenges.
  • Communication devices – some devices can help a child choose words, letters, or pictures to convey what he or she wants to say. There is also eye-tracking software that helps the user select the appropriate items.
  • Transportation aids – these devices can consist of wheelchairs or powered scooters that can further help a child with their movement in school and beyond.

Overall, assistive technology can be used universally. It is important to include everyone in these new ideas that come into society so that anyone who is interested can get involved. Equal opportunities are crucial for everyone, and children who have Cerebral Palsy can have a difficult time participating in things. By removing these barriers, these children can have the same opportunity! They can thrive and break through social, physical, and cultural stereotypes. By using assistive technology, parents can set their children up for success. Children with Cerebral Palsy can and do have brilliant futures ahead.

 

July 11, 2022 , ,
Ways New Assistive Technology Can Assist Your Child with CP
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Protecting Cerebral Palsy Children from Omicron Variant

Protecting Cerebral Palsy Children from Omicron Variant

The COVID-19 Omicron variant has been rapidly spreading and affecting children, especially those who are being hospitalized. This variant is highly contagious and spreading quickly, which is a serious factor for the families that have a child with cerebral palsy (CP).  

A major concern for parents or caregivers of children who suffer with CP is the COVID-19 pandemic and the new Omicron variant. Families have stopped their extracurricular activities, limited the guests that are welcomed in their home and fear that their lives are never going to become normal again. Most parents are more distressed over the fact that their children won’t be able to live to their full potential. 

Throughout the pandemic, especially now with the second surge of the Omicron variant, children with CP haven’t been able to communicate or gather with other children. They have only attended online school, and in reality, they only leave their house for doctor’s appointments. People fear this is affecting their children’s mental health and sociability. 

It is recommended to continue wearing a mask in any public facility, especially parents that have to go to work, visit the grocery store or run other immediate errands. This will be beneficial to your own health and your child’s when returning home. It is highly valuable to keep the home of someone who suffers CP extremely safe and clean. 

Mental health is a serious concern throughout the pandemic and in particular, children with CP who have been restricted from returning to normal activities due to the new variant . Dr Siambanes has provided helpful tips on improving a child’s mental health of those who suffer from cerebral palsy throughout the pandemic.

  • Outside Activities. Going on daily walks, or meeting friends at the park can drastically improve one’s health. Time spent outdoors is vital to a child’s happiness and can instantly boost their mood. It is safe to go outside and wave to friends at the park as long as you continue to follow the regulations of remaining six feet apart.  
  • Take breaks. Staying away from phones, computers, tablets and televisions is important. Staring at screens all day can be very detrimental to a child’s mental health. Take time to relax, breathe and meditate to stay positive throughout this time. 
  • Keep up with daily care. Make sure to continue staying up to date on your child’s physical care. Dr. Siambanes recommends keeping a physical or digital calendar if they take medicine, have exercises or therapy they need to follow, or have regularly-scheduled doctor’s appointments.
  • Eat Healthy. Continuing to eat healthy can become difficult in quarantine or lockdown, but it is a key element in staying healthy because it strengthens your immune system and creates a more balanced mood. 

While these tips are a general guideline to help maintain mental and physical health, each child’s case of CP is unique and should be tailored to the individual. Those who suffer with cerebral palsy all need different medical attention so, if you notice any serious concerns please reach out to your primary care physician. If you have any other questions or concerns contact Children’s Cerebral Palsy today.

January 26, 2022 ,
Protecting Cerebral Palsy Children from Omicron Variant
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Enjoying The Winter Season With Cerebral Palsy

Enjoying The Winter Season With Cerebral Palsy

With today marking the beginning of the winter season, much of the country has experienced significant drops in temperatures. Although most experience only minor inconveniences, many children with cerebral palsy must endure increased limitations, including seclusion, illnesses and bodily discomfort. With that, Children’s Cerebral Palsy is sharing different ways that children living with CP can keep warm, avoid unnecessary discomfort, and enjoy the winter season.

The first concern to address is whether or not your child is appropriately clothed for colder weather. Choose clothing that can be easily donned or taken off. Colder temperatures can lead to stiff muscles and increased soreness, which will mean less comfortable nights of sleep. Consider purchasing an electric blanket for your child to sleep with at night.

Between the drop in temperatures and enforcement of the most recent COVID-19 mandates, this can mean a lot more time at home for all kids, especially those with a disability. For children with physical limitations, this time can be extremely isolating. To help quell the boredom during these times, parents should look to plan indoor activities for their child with CP, such as cooking, crafting, gaming and other activities that focus on building muscle strength and coordination. 

Decreasing temperatures bring inevitable winter illnesses. This can be more costly when dealing with compromised immune systems or other health disorders. Ensuring your child’s medical records are up to date and listing the different medications your child takes is helpful in emergency medical situations, especially if you are traveling and can’t see your child’s primary care physician. 

Lastly, cold weather can cause your child with cerebral palsy severe discomfort through further stiffness of muscles and joints, cramping, aching and more. Depending on the symptoms, additional medical action may need to be taken. Because every case of cerebral palsy is different, it’s important for parents to be observant of their child’s symptoms. Designate time to speak with your child’s doctor about anything you’ve noticed and possible treatments or solutions to help mitigate discomfort. 

The winter season can be tough for children with cerebral palsy, but going the extra mile to ensure your child is prepared is of paramount importance. In addition to the suggestions listed above, parents should talk with their child about their winter experiences and what can be done to help improve them. If you have immediate questions or concerns about preparing your child with CP for the winter season, contact Children’s Cerebral Palsy today.

December 21, 2021 ,
Enjoying The Winter Season With Cerebral Palsy
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Staying Active With Cerebral Palsy

Staying Active With Cerebral Palsy

Exercise regimens are extremely important for a child’s wellbeing, including for those with cerebral palsy. Although certain activities can be difficult for children with cerebral palsy, experts at Children’s Cerebral Palsy offer various activities to help kids with CP stay active. 

“It’s important for children with CP to stay active and keep moving, as this can help maintain mobility and movement for as long as possible,” said Dr. David Siambanes, a board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeon and founder of Children’s Cerebral Palsy. “Through innovative activities and adaptive sports, parents can help maintain their child’s mobility and health while also having fun.”

To help improve movement and overall health, Dr. Siambanes suggests giving the following exercises and activities a try for children living with CP:

    • Hydrotherapy. Exercising in water is great for children with CP because it puts less stress on muscles and joints, as well as decreases a person’s body weight by 90 percent. This allows for a wider range of motion and improves cardiovascular conditioning since the heart pumps more blood per beat when the body is submerged in water.
    • Painting. To help people with CP strengthen their motor skills, painting is a great option. Not only will working fine motor skills help them be more precise and accurate in their movements, but painting helps children with CP focus on the art they’re creating rather than the energy they’re expending.
    • Adaptive sports. For children with CP unable to participate in traditional forms of popular games and sports, adapting these activities to meet their capabilities is a perfect way to build physical strength and self-esteem. Find a sport your child is interested in and consider ways to alter the rules or goals so they can participate fully. Check out CP Sport for a list of guidelines and resources for adapting particular sports.
    • Dancing. No matter your child’s condition or movement limitations, everyone can dance to music. Dance and rhythmic auditory stimulation benefits body functions like balance, gait, walking, and cardiorespiratory fitness for individuals with cerebral palsy.
    • Photography. Photography is a great activity that stimulates many different parts of the brain. It can help kids with cerebral palsy develop spatial awareness, express themselves creatively, and gain an appreciation for the outdoors. Additionally, learning to hold, point and shoot a camera can help further develop fine motor skills. 

Because all cases of CP are not the same, it’s best to take into consideration your child’s capabilities and strengths when deciding what activity to participate in. If you have questions about what activity is most appropriate, consult with your child’s primary care provider. If you have additional questions about how to keep your child with CP healthy and active, contact Children’s Cerebral Palsy today.

November 27, 2021 ,
Staying Active With Cerebral Palsy
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Tampa spine surgeon shares cerebral palsy pain management tips

Tampa spine surgeon shares cerebral palsy pain management tips

Dr. David Siambanes, director of the Children’s Scoliosis Center at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and founder of Children’s Cerebral Palsy, is educating parents of children living with cerebral palsy (CP) on effective pain management tips and various techniques and approaches for alleviating the pain associated with CP.

Before we dive into pain management tips for cerebral palsy, it is best to know what the condition is. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture and is the most common motor disability in childhood. CP impacts a child’s ability to control their muscles, oftentimes causing pain and discomfort for the approximately 800,000 people living with CP across the U.S.

“Alleviating pain in children can have positive physical and mental impacts during critical years of development,” said Siambanes, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is fellowship-trained in both pediatric orthopedics and spinal deformities. “We want parents to know there are a number of different options short of surgery that can ease your child’s pain and provide an opportunity to live a more comfortable life.”

Siambanes says children with minimum pain or discomfort can relieve their symptoms by enrolling in physical and occupational therapy sessions, where a child can engage in various stretches and exercise regimens intended to improve muscle and joint flexibility. In some cases, a child with CP may have the option to be fitted with orthoses or braces designed to help support weakened muscles.

Some children with CP experience a moderate level of pain. Parents in search of a solution can turn to non- or minimally-invasive treatment options, including radiofrequency, neuromodulation or nerve ablation to target pain receptors, implanting a stimulator on the spinal cord to alter a child’s pain receptors, or injecting Botox into areas experiencing frequent muscle spasms to help numb the pain.

While surgery is considered a last resort for CP pain management, it is sometimes the only option available for children experiencing severe levels of pain. In these cases, surgical procedures generally fall into three categories:

  • Orthopaedic surgery – This procedure is recommended for children with spastic CP. Orthopaedic surgeons can increase the length of tendons and muscles in a person’s legs to make walking and moving less painful.
  • Spinal fusion – Spinal fusion procedures permanently connect two or more vertebrae, eliminating motion between them and providing stability. Spinal fusion involves techniques designed to mimic the normal healing process of broken bones and can improve a child’s organ function as they grow.
  • Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy – Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgery done on the lower spinal cord to reduce spasticity in the legs. Certain abnormal nerve fibers that cause high muscle tone are cut. This allows the muscles to relax by identifying and sectioning only the nerve fibers that contribute to spasticity.

The most appropriate treatment depends on different factors, including a child’s stage of development and form of CP. Siambanes advises parents of children living with CP to consult their pediatric physician to determine the right option for managing their pain. If you’re a parent of a child with cerebral palsy and have questions, visit our Contact page to get in touch.

September 20, 2021
Tampa spine surgeon shares cerebral palsy pain management tips
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About Dr. Siambanes

Dr. Siambanes, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, is fellowship trained in both pediatric orthopedics and spinal deformities. His passion for addressing the needs of disabled children has led to his expertise in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy.

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  • We would like to thank you for all you have done for our granddaughter. Not to very long ago things were not looking very good for Alyssa. That has all changed because of you. You have given her back her future. Thank you so very much. God bless you and keep you.

    Mr. & Mrs. Wajenhurst

  • As a parent, hearing your child needs corrective surgery that includes placing rods and screws in the body, a five day hospital stay and three weeks of recovery can be overwhelming to say the least. Dr. Siambanes and his wonderful staff eased 100% of the stress and worry while making what was in my mind a harrowing ordeal equal to an afternoon visit to the dentist. The hospital staff was attentive and eager to help in anyway possible. My son’s recovery has gone so well and he has healed so quickly, family and friends are amazed he even had surgery.

    Mrs. McKinnon

  • I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Siambanes to see if my daughter was a candidate for scoliosis surgery. The results following her surgery were fantastic! She flew through surgery and came home only 4 days after! She now sits up straight, her incision has healed beautifully and there were no complications. I cannot express my gratitude to Dr. Siambanes for the amazing surgery he performed on my daughter. He alone took her on when no one else would touch her and now her life has been prolonged and she has a much better quality of life.

    Mrs. Wakizaka