National Seminar on Cerebral Palsy Update 2018 held at USTM
10th Jul, 2018 146190 Therapists and Special Educators for Cerebral Palsy Update at USTM
9th Mile, Ri Bhoi, 10 July 2018: Combination of the three H—head, hand and heart with the best positive attitude are very important to treat patients with cerebral palsy as the disease has number of complications. Cerebral Palsy is the most common movement disorder in children and about 2.1 per 1000 babies suffer from it all over the world. This was stated by Dr Debojit Khanikar, Deputy Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Assam while delivering his address as the Chief Guest in the inaugural of the National Seminar on Cerebral Palsy Update 2018 held at the University of science & Technology Meghalaya on 7th and 8th July. A total of 190 participants from across the region including Physiotherapists, Special Educators, Speech Therapists and Psychologists joined in the two-day long Workshop. The workshop was organized by SVNIRTAR, Odisha and CRC Guwahati under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in association with Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and with the support of USTM.
Addressing the participants, Dr G Shashikala, Director, Indian Academy of Cerebral Palsy said that cerebral palsy is a challenging entity for those practitioners who deal with differently abled children. Symptoms, evolution and prognosis are as varied as are the causes and management options. It is for this reason that present day management of cerebral palsy warrants a multidisciplinary approach.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shakti Prasad, Director, SVNIRTAR, Odisha said, “This seminar cum workshop envisages encompassing all the broad aspects of cerebral palsy disorder to provide a holistic insight into the understanding, approach and management of Cerebral Palsy. This is also an attempt to bring all related professionals together to have a better reciprocation of knowledge resulting in a stronger interdisciplinary coordination.†Experts from different parts of the country participated as resource persons in the seminar.
A multidisciplinary team develops an individualized cerebral palsy treatment plan based on the patient’s needs and problems. It is imperative to involve patients, families, special educators and caregivers in all phases of planning, decision making and treatment. A pediatrician, pediatric neurologist, or PMR specialist provides primary care for children with CP. Orthopedic Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Special Educator, Psychologist and Social Worker—all have their special roles to play.
