Israel’s educational facility and rehabilitation center, Tikvah Layeled, was able to bring smiles to the faces of the children in their care this past Hanukah. With the lighting of the menorah ceremony, these children experienced firsthand the joys of the Hanukah holiday. The children at Tikvah Layeled suffer from disabilities caused by cerebral palsy, but through the help of the professional caregivers at the center, they are able to lead happy lives and enjoy moments such as this. It is the goal of Tikvah Layeled to improve the lives of all the children in their care and the Hanukah holiday provided the perfect opportunity to do it.

The educational facility and rehabilitation center, Tikvah Layeled, was able to bring joy to the lives of the children in their care this past Hanukah. The children took part in a lighting of the menorah ceremony and afterwards were treated to donuts. The children at Tikvah Layeled suffer from cerebral palsy, but thanks to the efforts of the facility, and the dedication of the professional men and women who work there, they were able to make the holiday a happy time for the kids. It is the goal of Israel’s Tikvah Layeled to help children with cerebral palsy lead normal, happy lives.

Cerebral palsy is not a death sentence. Children affected by this disease are able to live long and happy lives. They do, of course, need more care and may require more day-to-day assistance than other kids, but a diminished life span is by no means an absolute. With the proper treatment and care provided by facilities like Tivkah Layeled, children can and do lead normal lives.

Cerebral palsy affects the body’s nervous system. It is a permanent condition and there is no known cure. However, CP is not a progressive disease. Once a child has been affected by CP, as the result of an injury or a brain abnormality developed in the womb, the condition will not worsen over time. This isn’t to suggest that other factors in the child’s health will not change. There are associate conditions that can worsen, but with the proper medical care, therapy and treatment, children with cerebral palsy can live well into adulthood.

There are several factors that can determine life expectancy of a child with CP. The number of disabilities the child has due to the condition is one factor. The child’s mobility and cognitive functioning also play a role, as do the amount of seizures they experience and the overall severity of their condition.

All these things are provided for by Tivkah Layeled. Add to this, the loving care that these children receive from the dedicated professional caregivers and you have a child with significant advantages for living a long, productive life.

There is no single test that diagnoses a child with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is the result of multiple causes so it is important to identify the specific cause(s) to determine treatment. Tests that help determine if a child has cerebral palsy include developmental screening, medical evaluations and developmental monitoring. Developmental screening consists of small tests that measure delay in motor or movement. It is best to evaluate these delays at age 9 months, 18 months, and 24 months. The screenings may be interviews with the child’s parents or tests that the doctor actually gives to the child. Medical evaluations look at reflexes, posture and muscle tone. The doctor should look carefully at the child’s medical history and rule out any disorders that could cause similar problems. Additional tests can be done to try and find the cause of cerebral palsy by doing brain imaging tests, EEG, genetic testing, or metabolic testing.

It is important to monitor the child’s growth over time. At each well-child visit, the doctor should evaluate the child’s development. They should review any developmental history and speak to the parents regarding any new concerns. Regular laboratory blood tests may also be important to track levels.Children with cerebral palsy are usually diagnosed within the first year of their life. It is important to maintain doctor visits and any treatment needed. Some children with severe disabilities can grow up to be independent, productive members of society. By determining if a child has cerebral palsy early in their life, and following up with required treatment, doctor visits and support, they can live a healthy, productive life.

As a parent of a child with a learning disability, it’s important to advocate for your child in order to implement positive changes. You know your child best and by following these simple tips, you can help educators and professionals identify better with your children.

• Connect with those that make decisions regarding your child’s education or priorities. These could be teachers, therapists, administrators or anyone else that has power to decide on learning habits of your child. Get to know them and do not be afraid to speak about your concerns.

• Gather information and keep records. Research the background of a learning disability and know treatments, learning settings or training that provide positive results. It is important to keep any necessary information regarding your child’s assessment information and education records. Also keeping track of homework or creative assignments can provide insight into your child’s patterns or progressive results.
• Involve your child in the decision making process. Support and respect your child’s need to make decisions on their own. A learning disability is a lifelong affair and it is important the child is not hindered from making their own choices.

• Be aware of the rules. Contact your local Department of Education and learn the policies and laws that your child’s school must abide by for children with learning disabilities. The school can provide special services for children with learning disabilities. By knowing the guidelines, you can assure your child takes advantage of any accomadations that can help them succeed.

Of the 69.6 million families in the United States, more than 20 million have at least one family member with a disability. Whether it’s physical or mental, people with a disability often have a more difficult time adjusting to daily life. These suggestions will help enhance the quality of life for those with a disability:

• Determine the person’s individual needs. A disability may range from blindness to mobility issues so it is important to address the specific needs for the type of disability that the person has. It is best to spend time with the individual and ask questions and talk to them. Also, speaking with a doctor or specialist will provide further information regarding care and medical treatment that the person needs. By gathering information and tailoring a care routine that is specific to the person, their environment will remain consistent and efficient.
• Install devices or additions in the home. If the individual is unable to walk or move freely, it would be best to determine exactly what they need to assist with movement and have this installed in their environment. Whether it be handle bars or a ramp, these additions will ensure the safety of the person and provide convenience in their daily life. Also consider the temperature, smell and how much light enters the home as these factors can affect their feelings.
  
• Plan trips and outings. Sunshine and fresh air can be very beneficial to the well being of those with disabilities. Plan for outings to the local park or picnic or go for a walk. This will also enhance their social well-being and maintain social manners and interaction.
  
• Manage hobbies. Find out what they are interested in and provide the tools or means for them to work on their hobbies. Whether it be painting, writing, reading or exercising, doing these activities on a regular basis will keep the mind sharp.

It is not hard to enhance a disabled person’s life by making daily tasks more comfortable and successful. Whether they are someone you care for through your job or someone apart of your family, they are humans just like the rest of us and deserve a happy, healthy life.

Cerebral Palsy is a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth. Effective therapy for this condition is having direct contact with animals such horses, dolphins and dogs. Hippotherapy engages the patient in activities on horseback as part of a specific cerebral palsy treatment. When a horse’s movement is transferred to a patient, it produces a beneficial sensory and motor input. The gait and stride of the horse provides numerous benefits. Studies show it improves muscle tone, posture, balance, coordination and motor development. Organizations offer hippotherapy as proper treatment for cerebral palsy and other disabilities and may be covered by insurance. There may also be a local camp near your area that offers daily or weekly therapy.

Caninetherapy is the direct contact of cerebral palsy patients with dogs. Although it is not a cure, therapy with a dog is a wonderful rehabilitation.
Patients may give the dog commands or encourage the dog with treats, which helps to improve coordination. These dogs are properly trained for specific situations and can improve the daily life of someone with cerebral palsy. There are service animal foundations online that may be able to provide a dog to cerebral palsy patients. Dolphins are also used for therapy, however, horses and dogs are most likely easier to access. Dolphins are highly intelligent animals and they can detect a child’s deficiency. This recognition allows the child to form a bond with the dolphin resulting developmental progress.

Animal therapy using horses, dogs, or dolphins has been used for more than 25 years and continuously show great results in patients with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy is caused by an abnormality or disruption in brain development, usually before a child is born. Factors that may lead to problems with brain development include:

• Maternal infections that can affect the developing fetus. These types of infections include syphilis, hepatitis, HIV and parvovirus.
• Lack of oxygen to the brain related to difficult labor or delivery.
• Traumatic brain injury to an infant from an accident.
• Fetal stroke, a disruption of blood supply to a developing baby’s brain. Fetal stroke can be caused by cardiac disorders, dehydration, and blood disorders.
• Random mutations in genes that control brain development.
• Infant infections that cause inflammation in the brain.

There are certain health issues during pregnancy that could lead to the cause of cerebral palsy. They include:

• Chickenpox, a contagious viral infection. It can be prevented with a vaccine.
• Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by a parasite in contaminated feces of infected cats. This is why pregnant women are told not to clean a cat’s litter box.
• Syphillis, a sexually transmitted disease.
• Measles, a viral infection that can be prevented with a vaccine.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that causes flu-like symptoms. CMV is spread through body fluids like blood, saliva and urine.
• Exposure to toxins can increase the risk of birth defects. Toxins include lead, lithium, mercury, and alcohol.

You can lessen the risk of your child being diagnosed with cerebral palsy by doing the following:

• Make sure you are vaccinated.
• Seek early and continuous prenatal care.
• Practice good child safety.

Children with cerebral palsy may received specialized therapy programs from therapists in a clinic, hospital or school. These programs help determine prognosis or need for treatment and also improve daily life function. Behavioral therapy can greatly improve numerous factors in children including developing friendships, managing emotions, reducing anxiety, treating depression and maintaining focus. The results of therapy also benefit the parents and surrounding family members. The financial cost and exhaustion that results from having a child with a disability, may cause strain on relationships and therapy can help the parents in these situations.

Emotional behaviors, social and behavioral skills are developing in a child’s early life. For someone with cerebral palsy, it is important to begin a therapy regimen as soon as possible so that these skills can be developed as the child grows. Specific therapy may differ from child to child and the main focus may range from expressing emotions to problem identification. Therapy will need to be altered to fit the different stages of the child’s life. As they grow into adulthood, the focus is no longer about socialization or emotional processes but more about independence and self-care. Behavioral therapy can help empower, focus and affect life-changing circumstances.

How do you know if your child needs behavioral therapy? Signs to look for:

• aggression
• anger
• depression
• loss of appetite
• isolation
• moodiness
• low academic performance
• anxiety

Behavioral therapy techniques may be administered by a licensed professional counselor, family therapist, pyschotherapists, and psychiatrists. It is important to feel comfortable and trust your provider. For a child with cerebral palsy, behavioral therapy can allow them to form social relationships, dream about the future, and be happy in everyday life.