Functional status of adults with cerebral palsy and implications for treatment of children

This study examined the evolution of individuals with cerebral palsy COP) f rom childhood to adulthood. Seventy-two adults with a diagnosis of CP born between 1934 and 1980 were studied. Individuals were recruited and data com prehensively collected using case notes and through direct assessments of t he majority of participants from three rehabilitation units in Bologna, Pad ua, and Rovigo in Italy. The main findings can be summarized as follows: co ntact with health and rehabilitation services was radically reduced once in dividuals reached adulthood; more individuals who were integrated into main stream schools achieved and maintained literacy than those who had attended special schools; in a high number of participants, motor performance deter iorated once into adulthood. Independent walking or other forms of supporte d locomotion were lost in many on reaching adulthood. Of those who continue d to walk, walking deteriorated in terms of distance. It was concluded that even though CP has been considered as predominantly a childhood pathologic al condition, the evolution of the effects of CP do not stop at 16 or 18 ye ars of age. For this reason, the traditional child- (or infant-) oriented a pproach concentrating mainly or exclusively on the achievement of independe nt walking, may not be an ideal approach to children with CP. Instead a mor e independence-oriented therapeutic approach would be appropriate.