Ok, it's that OT professional butting in again. I'm going to ask you a few
questions, if you'd like we can discuss this more in private email.  Let me
give you a little of my background to let you know what frame of reference I
come from, I'm an early interventionist, MOVE trained, and currently working
on getting my assistive technology practioner certification (if anyone needs
this translated into normal English, I'll do my best).  I've also been
blessed to work with a progressive and wonderful group of therapists who
believe that communication is more than moving your lips.  And functioning
in the world is more than range of motion and strength.  And before I go
giving you suggestions to annoy your therapists with, I'd like a little more
informtion.  Feel free to share only what your are comfortable with, ok?
What are the goals your therapists working on?  Do the goals go beyond
physical ones such as increase rom and strength?  Have they given your son
switch toys?  choice?  Simple picture cues are another way of communicating.
How is your sons receptive speech?  Which type of therapies is your son
recieving (you may have mentioned this before)? In what context, private
clinic, school-based?
I know it's must be tough, a lot of jargon, bits and pieces here and there.
Have the doctor's write things down for you so that you can read them again
later when your not overwhelmed in the doctor's office.  Therapists should
be giving you copies of the evaluations and goals they have written for your
son.
I hope I can be of some help.

Beth the OT


-----Original Message-----
From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of BrightIs
Sent: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 11:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Questions went to Neuro


his oral motor function and expressive speech and the knowing of how to
communicate is more than a year behind, probably about fourteen months
behind.  His muscles in his jaw are down to 50% on both sides, and his cheek
muscles are down to 40% on both sides.
Does this help ?
Deborah mom of 4
-----Original Message-----
From: Bobby Greer <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 11:32 AM
Subject: Re: Questions went to Neuro


>>But Bobby, that is what he is missing.  His gross and fine motor skills
are
>>lagging, but are only behind about maybe six months.  It is his speech
>>skills, oral motor functions, and use and understanding of language is
what
>>is significantly delayed.
>How significantly delayed compared to his groos and fine motor skills?
>
>Bobby
>
>
>>And his neuro said "If I put him up her on the table and checked his
>>reflexs, I can tell you right now that they are still very ridged,"
>>Deborah mom of 4
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Bobby Greer <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
>>Date: Monday, February 28, 2000 8:00 PM
>>Subject: Re: Questions went to Neuro
>>
>>
>>>Debra
>>>
>>>        As far as a sppecific type od CP dx, it might be difficult with a
>>>child Zachary's age. Most persons with CP actually have mixed types.
There
>>>is rarely a "pure" athetoid, or "pure" spastic. A good neuro will
asceratin
>>>the types by the pathological reflexes which are stil function. Most
phase
>>>out between 6 and 12 months of age. Some people believe you can "type" CP
>>>by outward appearance, but, to me, that's quite naive.
>>>
>>>        As for intellectual development, "chill" for a while. What really
>>>counts is language development. Again, most people think intellectual and
>>>language development go hand in hand, but not always. Good language and
>>>communication skills are "everything" as far as goals.
>>>
>>>Bobby
>>>
>>>
>>>>Sorry for cross posting.
>>>>
>>>>Zachary went to the neuro today for his recheck.  He said he seems to be
>>>>doing fine, "Has all the basic skills down, anyway, the walking,
fussing,
>>>>throwing."
>>>>Then I began the questions.
>>>>First I asked him can there be any classification that we could put
>>>>Zachary under ?  He said not really since they do not know what caused
>>>>Zachary's conditions.  I told him the reason was because the OT told me
>>>>last week, "If we have documentation of CP things would be different"
He
>>>>said " I can give him a dx of CP easy, all CP is ,is an umbrella term
for
>>>>children who have a muscle coordination, and muscle tone problem caused
by
>>>>a brain injury or abnormality that is not progressive, and that Zachary
>>>>is."  Should I call him and tell him to go ahead and give the "official"
>>>>dx of CP or not ?
>>>>He also could not tell me weather or not Zachary is going to be MR or
not,
>>>>still too early to tell, but he said the toe walking and the severe
delay
>>>>in speech and oral motor skills is a sure sign of learning disability.
>>>>So there goes our six month visit.
>>>>Deborah mom of 4
>>>
>>
>>__________________________________________
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>

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