Assistive technology refers to any device that helps a disabled individual to better interpret and interact with the world. Because cerebral palsy causes physical, mental and emotional disabilities for life, assistive technology for CP involves devices that improve:
- Cognition, reading skills and the ability to think complexly
- Coordination
- Decision making skills
- Hearing and vision
- Mobility
- Motor function
- The ability to care for oneself and live as independently as possible
Use of assistive technologies for the treatment of cerebral palsy is always paired with other forms of treatment, including:
- Anti-convulsant drugs and muscle relaxants to control tremors, seizures and other involuntary movements
- Occupational therapy to teach day-to-day skills, such as bathing and eating
- Physical therapy to improve muscle tone and control, as well as mobility
- Psychiatric care and support groups to combat the emotional effects of living with cerebral palsy
- Surgeries to correct skeletal and musculature abnormalities
Cerebral Palsy Assistive Devices
New technologies are constantly changing the face of assistive devices used in the treatment of cerebral palsy. Examples of state-of-the-art assistive devices for the condition include (but aren't limited to):
- Hearing aids
- Motorized wheelchairs
- Personal emergency response systems
- Specialized computer software, such as speech-recognition programs
- Specialized computers and keyboards
- Text telephones
- Walking and/or standing frames
Cerebral Palsy Assistive Resources
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you and your child have a number of resources to get help with securing treatments, assistive technologies and financial aide. Some of the national organizations dedicated to helping cerebral palsy patients include:
- Able Net, based in Minnesota
- American Association of University Affiliate Programs for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, based in Maryland
- Association for the Care of Children's Health, based in Maryland
- Closing the Gap, based in Minnesota
- Learning Disabilities Association of America, based in Pennsylvania
- March of Dimes Foundation, based in New York
- National Easter Seal Society, based in Illinois
- United Cerebral Palsy, based in Washington D.C.
Compensation to Help With the Treatment Costs
In the event that medical malpractice plays a role in the development of cerebral palsy, patients and their families may wish to turn to legal resources – specifically birth injury/medical malpractice attorneys who have the resources to conduct investigation and seek out compensation for the injured.
If you feel that your child’s cerebral palsy may have been caused by a medical mistake, you may wish to discuss your circumstances with a qualified legal professional. Contact our cerebral palsy lawyers for more information or to schedule a free and private evaluation.
