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How do I explain to my child that he has a disability?

Explaining a disability to a child is never an easy thing for parents. It is equally difficult for the child who may not understand the nature of their disability. There are some general guidelines parents can use to communicate to their child and help them prepare.

First, parents must try to fully explain that the disability is not the child’s fault. Parents must show solidarity with the child and convey their compassion and understanding of the challenges ahead. Children with disabilities must be given a full explanation of what their condition is, how it can be dealt with and the ways they can make progress in spite of it.

Parents should begin communication early, as soon as the child has become aware that they are different from other children. For children ages 2 to 4, parents need to explain that sometimes people are born different and don’t have everything their bodies require to function. It’s OK for parents of kids 5 to 8 to acknowledge the unfairness of the child’s condition and to remind them that there are other talents they have that are equally important. Kids ages 9 to 12 may be told that, while it’s natural to be frustrated with their disabilities, they can be strong in other ways, especially in coping with their disability.

It is also important that parents explain the disability to the child’s siblings so they have a clear understanding of what their brother or sister faces. Even children with no disabled siblings need lessons in compassion so they will be prepared when they meet disabled people and know to treat them equally.

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Tikvah Layeled Awareness Campaigns

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5th International Medical Symposium Dead Sea, Israel 2012

It is the mission of Tikvah Layeled to raise awareness of the plight of children who suffer from cerebral palsy. Tikvah Layeled also leads efforts to provide therapy and loving support for the children in their care. To educate, raise awareness and to exchange the latest information on treatment, Tikvah Layeled regularly sponsors conferences and symposiums. At these meetings, leading medical authorities are invited to share their knowledge of the disorder so that the lives of Israel’s disabled children in can be improved.

Cerebral palsy is a disorder affecting the body’s central nervous system. CP develops either prenatally or as the result of a traumatic brain injury. Balance, coordination and motor skills are reduced and many of these children suffer from intellectual impairment as well. Tikvah Layeled’s awareness campaigns educate the public as they explore recent advances in care and treatment. Great progress has been made to help alleviate pain and to assist patients with muscle tension problems, and new advances exist just over the horizon.

By bringing the world’s leaders in research and treatment to Israel, Tikvah Layeled helps lower the need for families to travel abroad for treatment which can be expensive, time consuming and stressful. Advances in neurosurgery and orthopedics have done much to help these children, but more can be done in this ongoing effort and Tikvah Layeled remains committed to treatment, care, education and awareness.

 

Tikvah Layeled Supplies Hospitals and Care Centers with Specialty Medical Equipment

The Tikvah Layeled Foundation is recognized for providing Israeli care centers and hospitals advanced rehabilitation and diagnostic tools that aid in therapy for children with Cerebral Palsy. Specialized equipment is made available to local hospitals thanks to Tikvah Layeled’s international connections. This treatment center also assists the community with programs, screenings, and educational tools for special needs children and their families. Proper equipment used to diagnose and treat cerebral palsy is rare in Israeli care centers which is why Tikvah Layeled uses its resources to donate these items.

The center provided a screening machine that enables thorough testing in brain communication to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. This machine helps to better diagnose cerebral palsy in children. Equipment that tests newborn babies’ oxygen level and gas level in the bloodstream was also given. These medical tools grant necessary diagnostic and continuous treatment for special needs children. Patients should have access to the best medical care necessary for their condition and Tikvah Layeled aids in this process. They also gave a sophisticated orthopedic bone elongation system to Hadassah Hospital which they acquired from Italy. Cerebral Palsy can cause bone abnormalities including scoliosis and joint dislocations. The specialized orthopedic equipment can provide continuous treatment to those that require it.

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Tikvah Layeled offers therapeutic care services that range from music and art to physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy. Also, educational programs and counseling for families are significant services that this foundation provides. Tikvah Layeled is a vital resource in the Israeli community for special needs children.

Wii Therapy? A Cutting Edge Gaming System Offers a New Approach to Traditional Rehab

Cerebral Palsy is a neurologic disorder that results from a defect or insult to the immature brain and is one of the most common causes of motor disability in childhood. Children with cerebral palsy suffer from motor and cognitive disabilities, which usually require a variety of treatments over a long period of time. The Wii is a Nintendo gaming console created in 2006. Nintendo introduced the motion activated remote control and fit board to use along with the console. The fit board processes your movement, steps and balance and is a fun way to exercise. Could this video game prove to be efficient therapy for children with cerebral palsy?

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Studies do show that Wii-based Balance Therapy is effective for children with ambulatory cerebral palsy. Results show that the Wii Fit is safe and enjoyable and can improve the static balance of those with CP. Health care professionals have begun to use interactive gaming systems and technology to help rehabilitate patients with musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions. It helps to direct the attention of the child away from the mundane and repetitive tasks of rehabilitation and allow them to “pretend” they are simply playing a video game. Wii-based balance training may be a preferable method of treatment for children with CP, however, it should be added along with conventional rehabilitation to see best results.

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Studies of Wii-based treatment do show improvement in children’s balance and functional walking. It may not be suitable for every child with cerebral palsy but it may be just what your child needs.

The Promise of Stem Cell Research for Treatment of Cerebral Palsy

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Cerebral palsy is a general term for a group of disorders that affect the body’s nervous system. Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition that will remain with the sufferer throughout his or her life, however, it is not a progressive disease that worsens over time. CP can result in an impairment of certain body functions, such as speech and movement. It can affect the way a person walks, talks and controls their balance. Those with CP may also have trouble with their hearing and vision, and in some cases they may be intellectually impaired. The disorder can be caused by injury to the brain or by an abnormality in the brain developed in the womb. Infants born prematurely have an increased likelihood of developing this disorder.

While there is no known cure for CP, some in the medical field believe that conducting stem cell research may provide an answer. While stem cells may not completely eradicate the effects of the disorder, it is hoped that stem cells may be developed to provide therapeutic treatment for sufferers.

What gives researchers hope in stem cells as a promising treatment is the versatility of the cells. Stem cells are what are known as undifferentiated cells, meaning they have the potential to develop along different lines. This means they could possibly be developed into cells that can be used in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy. Some day, it is hoped, through research and development of new methods of treatment, stem cells will be used as a form of restorative therapy in patients who suffer from diseases that damage the body’s nervous system, like CP.

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Raising International Awareness for Cerebral Palsy

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Cerebral Palsy is a group of disorders that affect the central nervous system. These disorders may develop in the womb, or could be the result of an injury to the brain. Sufferers of CP have impaired hearing, vision and speech. Their balance, motor skills and muscle movement may also be impacted. In some instances, CP may result in the intellectual impairment of the individual. International awareness of the causes, as well as the current and potential treatments of cerebral palsy, is crucial to treating CP.

While there is no known cure for CP at this time, stem cell research offers great promise in the restorative therapeutic treatment of cerebral palsy. Efforts have been made by organizations like the Tikvah Layeled Foundation to increase awareness among the public about what the disorder is, how it is treated, how it may be prevented and how a cure may be developed through new advances and techniques.

Towards this goal, conferences and symposiums are held regularly so that some of the world’s leading authorities in the medical field can share their information and research on these types of disorders. Marketing campaigns are also a good way to get the message out about the prevention and research into the treatment of this disease.

While CP is not a progressive disease that worsens over time, it may be preventable, reversible and treatable. Research, resources, information and public awareness are all needed at an international level to help fight this debilitating disorder. Only through the efforts and hard work of organizations like the Tikvah Layeled Foundation, and others, will awareness of cerebral palsy on a worldwide level be achieved.

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What it Means to Teach Children with Cerebral Palsy

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Cerebral palsy is a general term for a group of disorders that affect the brain. Suffers of CP may have difficulty controlling their muscles which can affect movement and speech. A child with CP may seem uncoordinated or clumsy, which can open them up to ridicule from other students at school. Teachers who have no training in dealing with children with CP may find it difficult and as a result the child may not get the education they need.

Children with CP may have difficulty hearing the teacher. They may have trouble with comprehension and communication and they may have learning disabilities that can impede their progress in the classroom. Teaching children with CP requires patience, understanding and a different educational approach. While there is no known cure for cerebral palsy, physical therapy combined with speech and language therapy can be useful tools in helping children use their bodies and speech effectively.

Teaching children with cerebral palsy presents a unique set of challenges for learning institutions. Special education and other resources can be obtained at the state and local levels to assist in teaching these students. Educators must possess a unique set of skills allowing them to deal with children suffering from CP. There are also different devices that can be used to help teach these children. Special boards using symbols and pictures to help children learn letters and words can be used. Computers are also integrated into the process where children with impaired motor functions can use special software that has been adapted according to their abilities.

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The Joy of Providing Care for Tikvah Layeled’s Children

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Tikvah Layeled is an educational facility and rehabilitation center located in Israel. The goal of the organization is to treat children suffering from cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term used to identify several types of disorders that affect the brain and the central nervous system. Children born with this disorder are physically impaired and many are mentally impaired to some degree as well. The goal of Tikvah Layeled is to improve the lives of the children in their care, and to help them lead independent and active lives.

Cerebral palsy can result in many negative physical impairments. Poor vision, speech and hearing can be a result of the disorder, as well as a loss of muscle control and motor skills. These things make it difficult for sufferers to learn in a more conventional environment. While the work is seldom easy, it can be tremendously rewarding and Tikvah Layeled employs a number of top therapists who are dedicated to the improvement of the lives of cerebral palsy children. Working with these children and watching them grow, adapt and learn, despite their disabilities, creates a very positive work environment.

Each child at Tikvah Layeled is assessed individually by the staff so that their therapy can be adjusted according to their need. The facility, in operation since 1982, serves as both a learning and rehabilitation center. These two facets of the operation work together to help children overcome their mental and physical obstacles. They joy of working with cerebral palsy children is evident among the staff and the state-of-the-art facilities are a testament to the hard work, dedication and sense of purpose of founders, Mr. Tavi and Mrs. Shaindel Breitstein.

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Federal Assistance for Families of Disabled Childern

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Social security benefits are available for individuals and dependents who suffer from cerebral palsy and experience severe or moderate motor dysfunction. If a child’s condition affects their mobility, or if they have difficulty standing or using their hands, they may qualify for Supplemental Security Income from the Social Security Administration.

A severe form of motor dysfunction would include any lack of coordination which would prevent a child from walking or standing without assistance. A lack of coordination that disrupts the achievement of movement of the arms or legs or larger muscle groups would be a sign of severe dysfunction. More moderate dysfunction in a child may qualify if it is accompanied by an IQ of 70 or less and the child also has trouble speaking or hearing. A child affected by cerebral palsy who also has a debilitating mental or emotional disorder would also qualify.

Sometimes families need financial assistance immediately, which is why the SSA also provides benefits to children who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and who exhibit severe impairment of speech, coordination or problems with mobility.

If you have a child with cerebral palsy who suffers from severe or even moderate dysfunction, you can call the Social Security Administration for a consultation and request an application. Once the application has been submitted, it will be reviewed by a claims examiner who will then request the child’s medical records to determine their eligibility. If accepted, financial assistance will be awarded.

Improving Mobility for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Cole Galloway, a physical therapy professor, and Sunil Agrawal, a mechanical engineering professor, both at University of Delaware, joined forces in 2007 to improve mobility for children suffering from conditions like cerebral palsy. Initial results combining Galloway’s knowledge of infant behavior and Agrawal’s engineering skills produced devices that were both heavy and prohibitively expensive for most families. However, an idea came to Galloway during a trip to Toy ‘R’ Us that solved both of these problems.

 

Instead of focusing on robotics, as they had been doing, the team thought, why not try developing something closer to a toy. Go Baby Go was the result of this ‘aha’ moment. By retrofitting the Go Baby Go system onto rideable toy cars that already exist, Galloway and Agrawal were able to significantly lower the price. Not only is the toy fun for the children who them , it also assists with brain development and helps drive the exploratory nature of the child. Increased mobility can also help make children more social.

Go Baby Go has started small, and there are still nearly a half million children in the US that experience problems with mobility, but their work has only just begun. Now is the time to spread the word so Go Baby Go can help children go forward in their development and their lives.