Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for People with Cerebral Palsy A Problem-Based Approach to Assessment and Management

This book is a practical resource for physiotherapists and occupational therapists who support people with cerebral palsy, helping them to solve the problems with movement and other impairments that so often accompany cerebral palsy, so that they can be more active and better able to participate in roles such as study, work, recreation and relationships.The first chapters provide the background to the clinical reasoning approach that informs the whole text, as well as an overview of therapeutic interventions. The subsequent chapters present clinical situations that therapists will encounter in the course of their work with individuals with cerebral palsy across the lifespan. Each chapter describes a case in detail, including the reasoning behind assessment and treatment choices, interventions and outcomes.The themes emphasized throughout the book are the use of the clinical reasoning approach of the intervention process model, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a framework to help therapists inform patient and family decision-making, family-centred approaches in developing and implementing therapeutic strategies, and multidisciplinary team work.

Karen Dodd is known for her research into the effects of therapeutic exercise for people with chronic disabilities, particularly neurological disabilities. She has published and presented extensively on this topic. She co-produced with Nick Taylor an innovative instructional DVD on strength training for people with cerebral palsy that won the Fred P. Sage award for the best audiovisual product at the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 60th Annual Meeting.

Nick Taylor is Professor of Physiotherapy at La Trobe University and Eastern Health, and Deputy Head of School in the School of Physiotherapy at La Trobe University. He is an active researcher on the effects of physical activity and exercise on people with a disability, with a focus on the effects of strength training for people with cerebral palsy.

Christine Imms is a senior research occupational therapist at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. Her interests are in paediatric occupational therapy, with a particular interest in children who have cerebral palsy.