Medications to treat individuals with cerebral palsy have increased significantly over the last few decades. The purpose of this article was to randomly survey practicing neurologists on a national level to determine prescribing patterns for both spasticity and athetosis. The results indicated that the most frequently prescribed medication for…

The FDA committees and the manufacturers of the most common ADHD drugs have recently modified the prescription information to include warnings on sudden death, serious cardiovascular events, and suicidal ideation. The purpose of this article was to document the association between traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and ADHD and to clarify the…

Although fluency instruction is an essential part of teaching reading, there is limited information on providing this type of instruction with students who have physical disabilities. This article examines three case studies across two students, one with cerebral palsy and the other with both arthrogryposis and spina bifida. In the first study,…

Two issues of this journal on education and related services for students with physical disabilities contain the following major articles or reviews: "Environmental Effects on Education" (Harold F. Perla); "Using Touch Math for Students with Physical Impairments To Teach and Enhance Beginning Math Skills" (Adrienne L. Duris); "Traumatic Brain…

Intrathecal baclofen therapy, a treatment for cerebral palsy and other spastic and rigidity disorders, is showing promise as an effective intervention. This article synthesizes both the medical and rehabilitation conceptual literature to update educators and related service providers as to the efficacy of this intervention. Implications for…

These two journal issues discuss topics relating to the physical and health disabilities of children and adults. The first issue contains the following articles: (1) "Position Statement on Specialized Health Care Procedures," by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Physical and Health Disabilities that calls for all teachers to…

Norman Kunc, consultant on educational and disability issues, discusses his early segregated education and perceived devaluation due to his cerebral palsy; the intrusion of therapies into his daily schedule; and the sometimes assaultive nature of physical therapy. Kunc views his disability as a characteristic of his personal diversity and…

Studies of the degree of involvement (DOI) and its relationship to therapeutic intervention effectiveness and related services for young children with cerebral palsy were reviewed. Three dimensions of DOI: (1) brain damage and mental retardation, (2) functional motor ability, and (3) emotional disturbance and behavior problems were reviewed. The…

This response to Parette et al. concerning the use of degree of involvement (DOI) in determining appropriate related services for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities proposes a standard for using limited resources judiciously based on the principle of "only as special as necessary." (DB)

This study tested the efficiency of two different body sites (the head and the left hand) for operation of a computer adaptive switch by an adolescent with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Data were collected during an assessment phase and a motor training phase. Results after analysis of the collected data were contradictory and inconclusive.…