Hi Bobby,

    Did it mention a particular version of CP - ie Hemi's versus quads
versus diplegic?
 or did the study cover all the different ways CP can effect the body -  ie
Hemi's and quads and diplegic?
Does one group loose functionality quicker than other?

                                            Brightest Blessings -  Trisha

> I thought the list would be interested in the following study:
>
>
>
> Neuromotor Child Disability Centre, Azienda USL, Bologna, Italy.=20
> [log in to unmask]
> This study examined the evolution of individuals with cerebral palsy
> (CP)=20
> from childhood to adulthood. Seventy-two adults with a diagnosis of CP
> born=20
> between 1934 and 1980 were studied. Individuals were recruited and data=20
> comprehensively collected using case notes and through direct assessments
> of=
> =20
> the majority of participants from three rehabilitation units in
> Bologna,=20
> Padua, and Rovigo in Italy. The main findings can be summarized as
> follows:=20
> contact with health and rehabilitation services was radically reduced
> once=20
> individuals reached adulthood; more individuals who were integrated
> into=20
> mainstream schools achieved and maintained literacy than those who had=20
> attended special schools; in a high number of participants, motor
> performanc=
> e=20
> deteriorated once into adulthood. Independent walking or other forms of=20
> supported locomotion were lost in many on reaching adulthood. Of those
> who=20
> continued to walk, walking deteriorated in terms of distance. It was=20
> concluded that even though CP has been considered as predominantly a=20
> childhood pathological condition, the evolution of the effects of CP do
> not=20
> stop at 16 or 18 years of age. For this reason, the traditional child-
> (or=20
> infant-) oriented approach concentrating mainly or exclusively on the=20
> achievement of independent walking, may not be an ideal approach to
> children=
> =20
> with CP. Instead a more independence-oriented therapeutic approach would
> be=20
> appropriate.