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Rehab Services and Youth with CP

Child: Care, Health and Development published research on rehabilitation services and youth with cerebral palsy (CP) in Canada.  A questionnaire on rehabilitation and educational resources (OT, PT, Speech, Psychology and special education) received within the last 6 months was completed by the parents of 91 school-age children and 167 adolescents with CP. More than half of the students were in regular schools with 41% of this group receiving special education services. The results indicated the following:

  • almost 85% of the children were receiving at least one rehabilitation service and this decreased to 68% in adolescents. 
  • the most common rehabilitation services were PT and OT mostly provided in the school setting. 
  • children who had greater motor limitations, lower IQ and greater activity limitations were more likely to receive OT, PT, SLP or special education.
  • students in segregated schools were significantly more likely to receive rehabilitation services, when compared with children in regular schools.
  • adolescents were less likely to receive services and if they did they were more likely to be consultative services.

Reference: A. Majnemer, K. Shikako-Thomas, L. Lach, M. Shevell, M. Law, N. Schmitz and C. Poulin, QUALA Group. Rehabilitation service utilization in children and youth with cerebral palsy. Child: Care, Health and Development. Article first published online: 30 JAN 2013 | DOI: 10.1111/cch.12026