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.