The Story of Colin Ray Watkins: Future Noble Prize recipient Cerebral Palsy The Story of Colin Ray Watkins: Future Noble Prize recipient

About Colin Ray Born July 17, 1995 3 months premature Loves to watch older brother, Chase, play baseball Likes to witness to others about God Knows no stranger The most caring individual you will ever meet Orlando conference and Molly

Definitions Cerebral Palsy-a condition caused by injury to the parts of the brain that control our ability to use our muscles and bodies. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means weakness or problems with using the muscles.

Causes In about 70 % of cases, CP results from events occurring before birth that can disrupt normal development of the brain. Some of the known causes include: Infections during pregnancy Insufficient oxygen reaching the fetus Prematurity Asphyxia during labor and delivery Blood diseases Sever jaundice Other birth defects Acquired CP ( about 10% of children with CP acquire it after birth due to brain injuries that occur during the first 2 years of life.

Types of Cerebral Palsy A) Classification by number of limbs involved: 1) Quadriplegia- all 4 limbs 2) Diplegia- all 4 limbs, legs more severely affected than arms 3) Hemiplegia- one side of the body; arm is usually more involved than the leg 4) Triplegia- three limbs are involved, usually both arms and a leg 5) Monoplegia- only one limb is affected, usually an arm

Types of CP (cont.) B) Classification by movement disorder: 1) Spastic CP- too much muscle tone or tightness. Movements are stiff, especially in the legs, arms, and/or back. 2) Athetoid CP (dyskinetic CP)- affect movements of the entire body. Involves slow, uncontrolled body movements and low muscle tone; hard for person to sit straight and walk. 3) Ataxic CP- least common. Disturbed sense of balance and depth perception. Poor muscle tone, a staggering walk and unsteady hands. Results from damage of the cerebellum. 4) Combined classifications- both movement and number of limbs involved are combined.

Affects on the family frustration disappointment anger

Educational Needs Public policy for children with disabilities to have the right to public education Inclusion needed for children with CP Inclusion benefits both disabled and nondisabled children Adaptive physical education needed Physical Education teacher and Physical Therapist can work together to help the child

Recreational Involvement Needs special equipment Can be involved with Special Olympics Can make friends just like a normal child Can do many things children without a disability can NOT do

Child’s future Affects individuals in different ways Have normal life span Physical challenges intensify with age Increased spasticity Fatigue Loss of strength Declining mobility

Treatment With early and ongoing treatment, effects of CP can be reduced. Early Intervention Services- service for those with CP and their families that gives support and advice. Different kinds of therapy needed: Physical therapy- build stronger muscles; skills such as sitting, walking, balance Occupational therapy- develops fine motor skills; dressing, feeding, writing, and other daily living tasks Speech-language pathology- develops communication skills. Particularly on speaking since muscle tone in tongue and throat may be affected.