Children and Youth with Complex Cerebral Palsy

Children with complex cerebral palsy (typically, but not always, GMFCS levels IV and V) require skilled management and extensive expertise which can be overwhelming or intimidating for many clinical practitioners. This book explores management of the many medical comorbidities these children encounter, including orthopedic concerns, mobility and equipment needs, cognition and sensory impairment, difficult behaviors, seizures, respiratory complications and nutritional challenges, among many others.

Summary points at the end of each chapter provide at-a-glance access to key recommendations. In addition, an Appendix provides adaptable care tools to guide clinicians in evaluation, preventive care and crisis management.

Importantly, the book includes contributions from parents of children with cerebral palsy and youth with cerebral palsy, providing unique and critical wisdom for family-centred care.  Parents and families of children and youth with complex cerebral palsy will particularly appreciate the inclusion of chapters on adolescence, transition to adulthood, and growing up, growing well with cerebral palsy.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Introduction                                              

Richard Stevenson and Laurie Glader

2. Functional Assessment and Goals of Management         

Jilda N Vargus-Adams and Andrea L Paulson

3. Hypertonia                                               

Darcy Fehlings, Anne Kawamura, Cecilia Lee and

Amber Makino

4. Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic Management                     

Mark J Romness and Victor Anciano

5. Seating, Mobility, and Equipment Needs

Christopher D Lunsford and Jonathan Greenwood

6. Osteoporosis and Fractures                                             

Steven J Bachrach and Heidi H Kecskemethy

7. Feeding and Nutrition                                                      

Valentina Intagliata, Eva Delaney and Mary C Bickley

8. Gastrointestinal Issues                                                     

Beate Beinvogl and Munir Mobassaleh

9. Overview of Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders in

Children with Complex Cerebral Palsy         

Umakanth Katwa and Sebastian K Welsh

10. Speech and Communication                  

John M Costello and Elizabeth N Rose

11. Cognitive and Sensory Impairment        

Katheryn F Frazier

12.Challenging Behaviors, Sleep and Toileting

Alisa Bahl and Kurt A Freeman

13. Mental health in Children and Adolescents with

Cerebral Palsy                       

Kerim M Munir and Ikram Rustamov

14. Pain and Irritability                                                         

Julie Hauer

15. Seizures and Epilepsy in Children with Cerebral

Palsy  

John R Mytinger and Howard P Goodkin

16. Urologic Issues                                                               

Stuart Bauer

17. Adolescence and Sexuality                                             

Susan Hayden Gray

18. Transition to Adulthood                                     

Kitty O'Hare and Claudio Melo de Gusmao

19. Evidence Based Care: A Tool Chest for Helping

Families Navigate Treatment Options          

Lisa Samson-Fang

20. Difficult Topics and Decision Making     

Jim Plews-Ogan and Richard I Grossberg

21. Through the Eyes of Parents                                          

Michele Shusterman, Carol Shrader and

Jennifer Lyman

22. Growing up, Growing Well with Cerebral Palsy

Andrew J Smith, Chelsea Strawser, Benjamin

Schrader, Jaylan Norfleet and Garey Noritz             

Appendix:  Care Tools for Clinical Practice