The prospects of treating teens and adults

By Natan Gendelman D.O.M.P  |  http://www.healthinmotionrehab.com  |  http://www.enabledkids.ca

Having worked with children for over 23 years, I’ve had many people come to me for information and advice on treatments that are suitable for teenagers and adults. It’s important to realize that if a loved one is diagnosed with a neurological condition, age can be a primary factor that influences how treatment may be approached as well as the number of treatment programs that are made available. This may be due to a person’s age and how others perceive his prospects for improvement and/or recovery. However, it is important to note that when treating an individual with a neurological condition, nothing is set in stone regarding his potential for improvement. Whether a person is a teen or an adult, his brain has the ability to form new neural pathways (also known as neuroplasticity) which can lead to great improvements in his function.

 For these reasons, it is crucial to understand your loved one’s condition and how that should influence what you should look for in treatment. In doing so, you will be better equipped with knowledge to help him on the road to independence.

 

Looking at bone formation in teens and adults up to 25-26 years of age

As the first step to understanding your loved one’s condition, it’s important to realize that up until the age of 25-26, the body is still in the process of growing. At this time the ossification and calcification of bones in the body has not yet finished, and you may be able to correct the positioning of joints to help the body gain and improve its function. Depending on a patient’s condition, during this time it is often possible to release the tissues around the joint and normalize its position for increased mobility.

 

Improving independence for adults 26 and over

Now, once a person passes the age of 26, the growing process has already finished. Since the ossification and calcification of the bones is done, unfortunately you cannot correct and completely normalize the bone’s position since it has already been set. However, at this stage it is still possible to treat a patient and improve the flexibility and mobility of his joints.

Of course, despite any differences between these two stages, the goal of treatment remains the same: to help a person walk away from what he has, and focus on improving his function and abilities so that he may become as independent as possible in his everyday life.

 

Final thoughts

With this in mind, please remember that these are only guidelines and that nothing regarding a person’s condition or prospects is set in stone. No matter what the prognosis may be, it doesn’t mean that you should give up on treatment or think that it is hopeless. Whether a patient is a child, teen, or adult, a therapist’s overall goal is the same: to improve a person’s way of life and function to the best of his abilities. Good luck, and I wish you and your family all the best with your loved one’s treatment.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment or email me at natan[at]enabledkids.ca. You can also read more about Fabio’s story here.

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Key Terms
calcification: The accumulation of calcium or calcium salts in soft tissues, causing it to become inflexible or unchangeable
ossification: The natural process of bone formation

For More Information
http://www.nsbri.org/humanphysspace/focus6/ep_development.html
http://www.posna.org/education/StudyGuide/timingOfOssificationCenters.asp

Traveling with your child with special needs

By Natan Gendelman D.O.M.P  |  http://www.healthinmotionrehab.com  |  http://www.enabledkids.ca

Traveling can be a great opportunity to learn about and experience new things together with your child. When the process goes smoothly, it is also a good way to develop closer ties among family and friends. However, this process can also be challenging, especially when traveling with a child that has special needs. Many of the patients and families I treat from overseas have experienced issues with arranging transportation, finding the right food and booking the right accommodations. All of these items need to be arranged well in advance in order for the whole process to run smoothly. As a result, I would like to cover a few things to keep in mind when you’re preparing to travel with your child. Hopefully this will aid you in plans for your own trip with your child, and also generate a discussion about what you’d like to share and learn more about in regards to traveling and accessibility.

Food in foreign countries

Now whether or not a child or adult has special needs, what a person eats can have a huge impact on their health, behaviour and cognitive function. When traveling, this becomes even more important as food sensitivities, allergies and intolerances can all pose risks during your child’s mealtime. As a result, it is important to pay attention to what you and your child are eating, and to ask questions about ingredients and preparation wherever you go. Since the regulations regarding food production change from country to country, even foods which are familiar to you and your family may be grown, produced and processed according to different standards.

For this reason, offer your child items that are light and easy to digest such as plenty of fresh (preferably organic) fruits and vegetables throughout the first few days of your trip. As well, certain foods may contain different ingredients than your child is used to, such as dyes or preservatives. As always, read the labels on the products you buy and eat, and try not to switch drastically from the kinds of foods your child is used to eating.

Accessibility Challenges

Another aspect of travel that you will need to consider is accessibility, especially if your child uses a wheelchair or other specialized equipment on a regular basis. Many countries have facilities that are said to be accessible, but this may be different from what you actually encounter while you are there. Last year when I visited Cuba, I found it very hard to watch an elderly couple struggle to climb a steep flight of stairs, as the plane they were trying to board didn’t have any other means of access. Thinking about what a person using a walker or wheelchair might encounter, it is extremely important to check with your travel agent whether the place you are going will meet your child’s accommodation needs, including facilitating ramps, elevators and a roll-in shower.

Of course, when you decide to go on a trip with your child, it is important to speak with him and help him understand where you all will be going, and what for. There are some great articles by about.com and Friendship Circle I’ve linked to below that give great tips on ways to prepare your child for traveling. By getting him used to the idea of going on the trip ahead of time, you can reduce any anxiety he may have, and prevent him from becoming overwhelmed and overexcited by the experience. I think that is an important step towards a fun and successful travelling experience.

If you have any questions, comments or experiences to share about what worked and didn’t work for you, leave me a comment down below or join our forum discussion. Thanks everyone!

For more information:

http://specialchildren.about.com/od/travelwithspecialneeds/Travel_with_Children_with_Special_Needs.htm

Some great articles from Friendship Circle’s blog about things to prepare:

http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2012/01/09/a-special-needs-pre-flight-checklist/
http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2012/03/05/packing-for-the-plane-your-complete-special-needs-checklist/