Synopsis of resource
This PowerPoint presentation explains the importance of protecting the body shape of children with cerebral palsy as they grow and develop. Muscle contractures and deformities are common in these children and can be reduced by using a combination of good positioning, handling techniques, active movement, orthotics and positioning equipment such as wedges, adaptive seating, sleep systems and standing frames.
This presentation is for both health care workers and parents and aims to empower families. It gives good advice on how each child can benefit from good positioning and activities, and what families can do on a day-to-day basis. It has many clear illustrations both about the consequences of poor handling and positioning and then positioning the child well. The principles behind good positioning in lying, sitting and standing are all explained and illustrated clearly. Supportive equipment can be made from appropriate paper-based technology and improve a child’s quality of life.
Key learning outcome
- Understand the importance of good positioning and postural care.
- Be able to position children with complex disabilities well, and be able to show others
- Understand the potential health complications caused by poor postural care.
- Understand ways to help children move and be able to explain to others how they can do this
Author
Catherine Barton BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP, MRes.
Cath qualified at the London school of Physiotherapy (1988). Her career has been spent working mainly in the NHS with children, having specialised in outpatient neurology at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. She is an advocate for early intervention, postural management for complex neurological conditions and research. Most recently her work has been in rural Powys with charitable work in Kenya alongside. She gained a Master’s by Research at the University of Chester (2020). She is a founder trustee of a charity, Appropriate paper-based technology (APT) for social development and plans to work in Kenya and other developing countries training therapists.
