Ok, you just knew I couldn't keep silent about this one for long.  You know
me.  I've worked in early intervention and with young children with a
variety of disabilities.  The choice does not have to be between
communication and walking.  There are several good programs out there such
as the MOVE program who recognize that upright posture, eye to eye contact
and the ability to engage ones environment are not mutually exclusive but,
part of the whole.
The important part is to have a collaborative effort on the part of all
parties occupational, physical, speechies, interventions and yes parent and
child.
I can tell you stories of where the child recieved therapies but, no support
at home and how far she got and I can tell you stories of great follow
through and how much better the child's life is now.
Communication is more than just speech, it is eye contact, engagement,
reading facial expressions, emotions, play.  Speech and communciation,
walking, play (my area of expertise as the OT), have motoric and cognitive
components.

Ok, off soap box.



Beth the OT




> -----Original Message-----
> From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Carla MacInnis
> Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2001 5:41 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Walking On ... ?
>
>
> Hi,
>
>   I was a toddler of the 50's, and my parents, although cognizant of the
> importance of physical therapy to promote ambulation, were of the
> mind that
> communication skills were the most important. I learned to read,
> write and type
> well before walking efficiently.
>
>   As we with cerebral palsy age, some of us are experience
> premature burnout;
> this, because of the rigorous therapy we underwent as children.
> To counter the
> adverse effects, many of us have returned to a more passive
> regimen of therapy -
> gentle limb manipulation and massage. I believe that various
> insurance companies
> or medicaid, as is the case for many, should support the costs of
> these and
> similar services for the adult cp'er. Overall, in financing or
> subsidizing the
> cost of a return to a limited therapy, we are ensured a healthier life and
> ultimately less of a tax on the health care system in the end.
>
>   The doctors here in New Brunswick are currently on strike, and
> ER waits are up
> to 5 hours. I'd better not get a cold :)
>
>   I have to agree with you, Michael ... walking is highly
> over-rated :) People are
> far too fixated on the packaging and not on what's inside :)
>
>   Sliding off my soap box now ..
>
> Cheers!
>
> Carla
> http://www.brunnet.net/terrier
>
> "Michael H. Collis" wrote:
>
> > Like I said, Communication, not walking, is the most important
> thing.  Walking
> > is vastly overrated.
> > Mike
> >
> > "Bobby G. Greer" wrote: