Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Teaching Motor Skills to Children With Cerebral Palsy And Similar Movement Disorders: A Guide for Parents And Professionals is the first parent tool I have seen that really breaks therapy down in a simple way that makes one feel "I can do this". As a grandparent of a child with CP, I have often been frustrated by a lack of resources that show details like this book. There are many pictures throughout that indicate how to do exercises and movements. I especially liked the guide that helps place where the child is at developmentally as related to other children with CP. Some sort of a yard stick like this has been missing in any other books I have read. I am EXCITED to try all the things in the book. There is a progression to the book that allows baby steps and an idea of what comes next in physical therapy. WOW! Thank you!
Click Here to see more reviews about: Teaching Motor Skills to Children With Cerebral Palsy And Similar Movement Disorders: A Guide for Parents And Professionals
(2007 Independent Publisher Award Bronze Medalist, Health/Medicine/Nutrition category)
All children with cerebral palsy and other conditions that result in gross motor delays need help and reinforcement to learn basic motor skills, usually with assistance from a physical therapist. Because the degree of developmental delay varies greatly from child to child, a thorough motor evaluation is an important step before establishing a specific therapy plan.
This new guide, written by an experienced physical therapist, provides parents with a complete understanding of how the physical characteristics of cerebral palsy and similar conditions--muscle tightness and weakness, increased or decreased flexibility, abnormal reflexes, impaired sensory perception--affect a child's ability to sit, crawl, stand, and walk.
With that foundation established, the book offers dozens of practical, easy-to-follow exercises that address specific areas of motor delay and development, including: Head control; Muscle tone; Proper positioning; Involuntary movements; Stretching and flexibility; Balance and coordination; Strength training.
The exercises are illustrated with photos, and many present one or two variations, which take into account a child s preferences and skill level. Additionally, every chapter includes profiles of children in therapy, and a set of frequently asked questions on the chapter topic.
With Teaching Motor Skills, parents will be more knowledgeable about their child's unique set of strengths and weaknesses, and better able to contribute to his motor development. As the book emphasizes, learning new skills depends upon many factors, including the reinforcement of at-home therapy and good cooperation and communication between a child s physical therapist and parents.
