Why is eye-pointing difficult for some children? Can we make it easier?

Description

Aims - Expert clinical opinion and some research evidence suggest that some children with CP may have limited core communication skills, similar to those seen in children with autism. Current research evidence is constrained by the difficulties of finding appropriate experimental methods for children with physical difficulties, and then applying these measures to groups of children to determine the nature of their difficulties. It is possible that primary difficulties in social communication in this group are being missed, or misinterpreted, with important consequences for the children, as well as for families and staff.

Methods - This project will examine early communication skills in a group of 55 children with cerebral palsy aged 2-7 years. The same measures will be administered with two comparison groups (55 children aged 2-4 developing typically, and 55 children aged 2-7 with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder). In this way, the study aims to establish the range and nature of the social communication deficits for children with cerebral palsy.

Results - Results will be reported at the end of the project (2014). We will show pilot data describing the tests to be used, and how these are useful to document skills in children with motor disorders.

Conclusions - We have now incorporated these assessments of eye-pointing into our clinical assessment of the communication skills of children with motor disorders.

Period	24 Sept 2012
Event title	Communication Matters: National Conference 2012
Event type	Conference
Location	Leicester, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	National