Teaching Motor Skills to Children With Cerebral Palsy And Similar Movement Disorders: A Guide for Parents And Professionals - Softcover

Martin, Sieglinde

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1890627720 ISBN 13: 9781890627720

Publisher: Woodbine House, 2006

Synopsis

(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.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Learn the best practices for improving motor development in children with cerebral palsy

About the Author

Sieglinde Martin, M.S., P.T., is a physical therapist with more than thirty years of clinical experience working with children with cerebral palsy and their families. Ms. Martin earned her degree in physical therapy from the University of Cologne, Germany, and her Master's of Science degree at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Currently she works part-time at Children's Close To Home Health Care Center in Dublin, Ohio. She is also the author of Pediatric Balance Program (Therapy Skill Builders, 1998).

Edition details

• Publisher: Woodbine House
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1890627720
• ISBN 13: 9781890627720
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 237