This posting will address the topic on Transportation and Mobility. It is geared for professionals, parents of and students with physical disabilities.
Performance of Physical Activities by Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy
A Research Study
Comments by: Juanita Cadle
Studies have proven that mobility and self are essential factors which contribute to a successful transition of adolescents with cerebral palsy to adulthood. In this particular study, the performance of physical activities from the perspective of adolescents with cerebral palsy was characterized.
Adolescence is characterized by that period of development that an individual prepares himself/ herself for social roles associated with young adulthood, including postsecondary education, employment, and independent living. There is no doubt, that for adolescents with the condition of cerebral palsy, the transition into adulthood is a challenging one. More so, these individuals face low employment opportunities, are restricted in leisure and social participation and are more dependent on their relatives for their living arrangements. In fact many parents or guardians of these individuals are faced with lifelong responsibilities for care that can become more difficult as the person and parent become older. Studies have shown that the Gross Motor Function of adults with Cerebral Palsy were one or more levels lower on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) compared with their function during childhood. A high percentage of adults with cerebral palsy have reported needing physical assistance in self-care and activities of daily living. A personal factor which is associated with independence and persistence in adolescents with physical disabilities is self-efficacy (a person’s belief that he or she can perform certain behaviors). Another factor that may improve the performance of physical activities of individuals with cerebral palsy is a supportive environment. These include accessibility, accommodation, resource availability, social support, and equality both in the home and outdoors.
In this particular study, the Gross Motor Classification System, the Activity Scale for Kids Performance and a Usual Methods of Mobility Questionnaire were implemented. The GMFCS was completed by a Physical Therapist, the ASKP was completed by the adolescents of Cerebral Palsy and the Usual Methods of Mobility questionnaire was completed by the parents. Results of the study demonstrated that an overall self-sufficiency in performance of physical activities by adolescents with cerebral palsy differed based in the five levels GMFCS scale. In other words, the GMFCS level discriminates the ability to perform physical activities independently among adolescents with cerebral palsy. The performance of activities outlined in the ASKP demonstrated that improved performance among adolescents with cerebral palsy is more likely to occur in specific activities as a result of instruction and practice, accommodations, assistive technology, environmental modifications, or some combination of these factors.
This study provides many implications for educators, physical therapists, and parents/guardians who deal with individuals with the condition of Cerebral Palsy. It is of vital importance that physical therapists, educators and families collaborate with each other by providing adolescents the opportunities to participate actively in decision making skills and problem solving skills on how they can become more self sufficient and assume more responsibility despite their limitations in physical capability; not only in the home but also in the community. In other words, any person who may have this form of disability should be encouraged to identify proper movement strategies, tasks adaptations and modification of the environment in order to optimize performance in physical activities. Let’s give a helping hand to those who need us by creating better experiences and opportunities for all persons with disabilities.
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