Hi,
Grace is not getting nearly enough therapy!. I know you said she is only moderately affected but still...  If you want her to make those big gains like sitting/standing independantly here is what she should probably be getting (if you can swing it) 2-3 days a WEEK of PT and 1-2 days a WEEK of all other therapies.  Also, have you ever considered pool therapy?  In the pool she would work with a PT on stretching and strengthening excersises.  She may even learn to walk independantly in the water, which would increase her chance of walking in a walker on "land"  It is easier to stretch and strerngthen in the pool as well because the water helps ease some of the pain and soreness she may normally feel with those excersises.  Just my two cents, hope it helps.

Brightest Blessings,
David


---"[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
 wrote:---
>hi, this is the first time I have written on the list.  I hope it goes
>through!  May I pick your brain a monent?  I have a 21 month old precious
>daughter who has spastic cp.  Can you summerize what theapy does? and is more,
>better? and explain the purpose for afos. the  reason is my "gracie" is getting
>one hour a month of therapy in each disapline and this seems to not even be
>enough to bother with although I do understand the concept of teaching the
>parent as we are with the children 24 hours a day.  Still I feel she should get
>more.  What do you think?
>One other question,  How much can a child of 21 months potentionally progress
>as far as gaining trunk control.  I am opptamistic grace will sit indepenantly
>and even walk with a walker someday.  She is moderately affected with the cp.
>thank you for your time.
>"D. Fiore" wrote:
>
>> I have been inactive on the list for awhile now.  I have enjoyed a lot of
>> the information shared and some I have inquired about the effectiveness and
>> theory behind it for usage in therapy with my patients.Recently, I have
>> come to find time on my hands since full time employment in pediatrics is
>> becoming more difficult to find. Insurance companies/HMO"S have been
>> limiting physical therapy services  to children that have been identified
>> thorough a comprehensive evaluation.I continue to write letters for parents
>> to appeal their decisions but have yet to be successful.
>>
>> Let me introduce myself since I have been lurking as a ghost PT. I have
>> been a pediatric physical therapist for 10 years and have dealt with
>> various ages and types of children and adults with cerebral palsy. I am NDT
>> certified and seeking ATRI certification in aquatic therapy. Recently, I
>> had a great informative conversation with Dina, a member on the list who
>> was kind enough to share her thoughts and personal experiences about NACD.
>> I am now reading more to expand my horizons on the subject thanks to her
>> feedback.
>>
>> Look foward to talking with more of you on the list!
>>
>> D. Moll MS,PT


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