Working with Patients with Cognitive Disabilities

What is Cerebral Palsy

CP is a movement disorder caused by non-progressive injury or abnormal development of the brain

1) CP is the most common motor disability in children with the most common risk factor being prematurity or low birth weight

2) Patients with cerebral palsy are placed on a spectrum with varying degrees of involvement
→ most have spasticity or stiff muscles
→ dyskinesia or uncontrollable movements
→ poor balance ataxia

3) CP is also organized based on the number of limbs affected or body
→ hemiplegic - half the body
→ diplegic - legs
→ quadriplegic - entire body except head

What is the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale?

Way of classifying cerebral palsy based on the patient’s gross motor skills
→ 1 is walking without assistance
→ 5 is wheelchair for mobility

What is person first language?

way of speaking that emphasizes an individual before their disease/condition
→ a patient with cerebral palsy instead of a cerebral palsy patient

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