WHAT IS BRAIN INJURY?

                                  BRAIN INJURY                                                         

Brain injury in a general term used to describe damage to the brain which may be used by of a number of factors. It may be cause hereditary, congenital or degenerative conditions. Injury to the brain is often acquired brain injury (ABI) or traumatic brain injury (TBI)  ABI is the leading cause of acquired disability in children & young adualts.

WHAT ARE EFFECTS OF BRAIN INJURY?

The effects of brain injury in children vary enormously according to the type size, severity & location of the area of damage. It may affect physical & cognitive abilities as well as speech hearing, vision, behavior & learning skills. Some problems will be immediately obvious whilst other do not become apparent until the child is order. Some common effects of brain injury include:

                                                         

• Physical problems including impaired movement abnormal muscle tone poor balance fatigue & mobility problems

• Cognitive problems such as poor memory concentration & organisational skills

• Behavioral problems such as aggression, imtabilty, impulsivity & inappropriate behavior

• Epilepsy headaches & depression.

   

HOW THE PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP THE CHILD SUFFERING FROM BRAIN INJURY

 HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP AFTER BRAIN INJURY?

The effect of brain injury can result insignificant disability, however as the brain is adaptable improvements are possible with regular physiotherapy input to maximise function & independence both immediately following the injury & longer term. The type of physiotherapy treatment will depend on the child's need  & abilities & can help to:  

•  Improve function abilities such as roling                               standing&walking                                                   

• Retrain normal patterns of movements                                  

• Improve balance & condition                                

• Improve muscle strength & range of movements                                        

• Improve posture                                                                                                    

• Improve positioning & alligement                                                  

• Improve independence & confidence                                                             

•  Reduce muscles spasm stiffness                                                    

Physiotherapy treatment can be provides regardless of the severity of the injury                              we can liaise with parents carers & teachers regarding the best way to manage  a child's physical need in order to maxmise their independence we can provide    advice on equipment & positioning to make care for child easier as well as          appropriate home exercise programmes to continue therapy between                           physiotherapy session.                                                                                                 

INDEPENDENCE OF THE SPECIAL CHILD

            KEEP  YOUR  CHILD HAPPY   DYSLEXIA AND                                           DYSPRAXIA SUPPORT

                       

WHAT IS DYSPRAXIA?

    INTRODUCTION            

                                 TO                      

                                       DYSPRAXIA           

Dyspraxia also known as developmental co-ordination disorder is impairment in the planning organisational & execution of movement due to poor processing of information in the brain which affects a child's ability to perform the normal range of physical activities expected for their age range.

Dyspraxia has two elements including:  

• Ideational Dyspraxia difficulty planning the sequence of coordinated movements.
• Idea motor dyspraxia difficulty carrying out the movement even though the sequence is known

It is thought that dyspraxia affects about 5-10% of the population & increasing numbers of children are being identified as having the condition-

Early recognition of dyspraxia will enable children to reach their potential through early intervention.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DYSPRAXIA?

 WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DYSPRAXIA?

DYSPRAXIA can affect different areas of development, below is a list of common symptoms that may be apparent in children with dyspraxia.

Speech & Language Skills.

• Difficulty making sounds, sequencing sounds & forming words in sentences
• Slower development of language
• Problems with feeding, messy eating                                                                

Fine Motor Skills

• Difficulty developing hand writing skills (learning the basic patterns of movement, speed of writing & establishing correct pencil grip)
• Difficulty with tasks requiring dexterity &fine co-ordination e.g-tying shoe laces, brushing teeth.

Gross Motor Skills

• Development of gross motor skills include the acquisition of major milestones such as walking running &jumping which may be affected in children with dyspraxia .

Problems May Include:

• Slower acquisition of development milestones e.g- learning to sit, crawl walk
•   Poor balance & timing, tripping over easily
• Poor co-ordination & sequencing of movements
• Clumsiness & poor spatial awareness
• Problems picking up simple objects
• problems learning left from right
• slower development of liberality i.e right or left handedness other symptoms
• Poor short term memory
• Poor concentration easily distracted
• Difficulty following instructions 
• Poor ability to organised time
• Increased likelihood of losing things
• Sensory integration dysfunction leading to over sensitivity to stimuli such as light, sound touch temperature
• Poor perception of distance difficulty crossing roads
• High levels of motor activity difficulty sitting still
• Limited creative & imaginative play
• Isolation with peer group difficulty forming friendships
• Slower completion of class work at school problem finishing tasks
• Easily distressed & emotional increased irritability

Children with dyspraxia may have problems in other areas that are not caused by dyslexia and behavioral difficulties which vary greatly between children. 

HOW WE GET TO KNOW THE CHILD IS SUFFERING FROM DYSPRAXIA OR NOT?

                HOW IS DYSPRAXIA DIAGNOSED?

If a child is showing problems in the planning and organisation of movement further investigation is necessary to allow prompt recognition and early intervention  in dyspraxia problems may be identified by a child's parents helath visitor or teacher.

Appropriate referral to pediatrician or child development until may be made. Assessment for dyspraxia  typically include establishing a history of developmental,milestones,motor skills screening activities and a comparison to normal rates of  development to establish areas of difficulty.

HOW THE PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP THE CHILD SUFFERING FROM DYSPRAXIA?

PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT FOR DYSPRAXIA

 There is no cure for dyspraxia,however symptoms may improve with growing maturity and can lesson with appropriated advice and treatment research has shown that physiotherapy treatment has a positive effect on gross motor skills,fine motor skills and dexterity,activities of daily living & self confidence.

Prior to treatment an initial assessment will be carried out to determine the child's skills and whether they are performing with the expected quality for their age range specific tests will be used to assess the child's motor sensory and perceptual abilities.

Once the assessment has been completed problems areas will be identified and a  treatment plan will be devised in discuss with the child and their parents.Treatment will focus  on improving the child's motor abilities which will in turn lead to improvements in self- es-team and confidence.

Treatment may include:

• Practising gross motor skills such as walking ,running,hopping,
• Balance activities
• Co-ordination skills e.g throwing and catching ball
• strengthening activities to improve movement control
• Activities to improve postural control
• Advice and education to parents and teacher on management of dyspraxia
• Referral with other health professionals such as occupational therapist and speech and language therapists
•  Advice on appropriate equipment to improve abilities.

Treatment will be supplemented by a home exercise programme which is an essentials aspect of treatment in order to make lasting significant improvements.A school visit may be arranged to assess the child in the class room , provide advice on the environment,and make recommendations regarding aids that may be required to maximise the child's potential.

HOW THE PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP THE CHILD SUFFERING FROM DYSPRAXIA?

    BENEFITS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR DYSPRAXIA INCLUDE:

• Improved gross motor skills
• Improved fine motor skills &manual dexterity
• Improved balance and postural control 
• Improved strength
• Improved posture
• Improved coordination of movement
• Improved confidence and self esteam
• Improved spatial awareness
• Improved participation in school activities

FLAT FEET

                WHAT ARE FLAT FEET? 

 Flat feet(also known as pes planus or fallen arches) is a condition where the arches of the foot either falls to develop or collapse.This means that the sole of the foot is in contact with the floor when standing.                                              

WHAT CAUSES FLAT FEET?

                      WHAT CAUSES FLAT FEET?

The arch in the foot normally develops by age 5 or 6 as the fat pad babies is gradually absorbed and balance improves as skilled movements are acquired.In some children however,the arch  fails develop which may be result of tightness in the calf muscles laxity in the achille's tendon or poor core stability in other areas such as around the hips.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF FLAT FEET?

         WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF FLAT FEET?

Initially a child may note complain of any problems associated with their flat feet however over time it may lead to an altered walking pattern clumsiness limping after long walks and pain in the foot kness or hips.It is there fore important that appropriate treatment commences as early as possible.

HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPIST HELP THE CHILD SUFFERING FROM FLAT FEET?

                HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP FLAT FEET?     

Physiotherapy can help to reduce the problems associated with flat feet by:

• Providing advice on exercise to help stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak areas to aid development of correct foot posture.
• Providing advice on appropriate footwear.
• Advising on appropriate insoles to improve foot position and referral to a specialist orthotist if necessary.
• providing advice on pain management.

INDEPENDENCE OF THE SPECIAL CHILD

CEREBRAL PALSY.

SPINA BIFIDA

Spina bifida is the term used to describe a series of birth defects in babies affecting the development of the spine and neural systems.The severity of the neural defect can vary and spina bifida is classified in to three types.

SPINA BIFIDA OCCULT

The most common & least serious form that usually does not require treatment.In this type there is only a tiny gap between the vertebrae.

SPINA BIFIDA MENINGOCELE

The rarest type where the bones of the vertebrae develop normally,however the protective membranes of the spinal cord are pushed out,this can be removed surgically and no further treatment is usually required.

MYLOMENINGOCELE

This is the most serious form where the spinal coloumn remains open causing the membranes and spinalcord to push out creating a sac that may or may not be covered by skin, in this case there may be extensive damage to the nervous system.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF SPINA BIFIDA?

The effect of spina bifida will vary according to the type, location & amount of nerve damage in the spinal cord in mylomeningocele there may be:                                                                                                

1. Partial or complete paralysis of the parts of the body below the spinal level affected which impacts on development of gross motor skills such as sitting standing &walking.
2. Altered sensation.
3. Altered bladder &bowel control.
4. hydrocephalus.
5. secondary effects of altered muscle control impact on musculoskeletal system.

HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP SPINA BIFIDA?

The effects of spina bifida can impact enormously on a child's function &physiotherapy should commence as soon as possible in order to maximise a child's potential and quality  of life. treatment will vary according to the severity of the condition our specialist physiotherapist can provide treatment which may include:     

• Maximising independence  in functional activities such as standing transferring& walking.                                                                                                      

• Provision of mobility aids & equipment to increase independence                            Exercise to maintain or improve muscle strength & length.

• Anticipating,preventing & minimising  secondary effects such as development of contractunes.

•   Positioning & postural advice.      

•  Teaching wheelchair skills to maximise independence.     

•  Provision of appropriate orthotics.       

•    Exercise to improve balance & co-ordination to prevent risk of falls.