Play partially crosses over from ‘ordinary life’ to ‘treatment’ in the lives of disabled children. In terms of treatment, play-based activities can be used to assess, and allow other professionals to assess, and work on developmental or other problems. It provides an element of familiarity and reassurance while encouraging continuity of development. In the United States, behavioural therapy may also be offered to help a child with cerebral palsy to work through any emotional and behavioural difficulties. In the UK, play-based techniques are used in psychological services but neither play therapy nor behavioural therapy is offered in a routine way to children with cerebral palsy. In practice, targeted play and support will both take place in most contexts for children, including special schools and nurseries. In hospitals, play can be remedial in nature.
What is probably most important in cerebral palsy is that play and toys, at home and elsewhere, can be used to stimulate interaction, movement and learning for babies and children whose physical condition restricts their natural ability to play. Recently, new technologies such as virtual reality have been enlisted to help them develop their creativity and imagination. Occupational therapists and special educators can advise on the use of multisensory toys and environments at home and elsewhere. Toy libraries can often advise on the use of toys for special needs. Cerebra’s postal lending library can lend multisensory toys nationally, and some local lending schemes include multisensory equipment as well.
Children’s Play Information Service (c/o National Children’s Bureau), tel: 020 7843 6303, http://tinyurl.com/z32hm.
Kids: charity that includes play opportunities for disabled children among its services, tel: 020 7359 3635, www.kids-online.org.uk. They also encourage access, for disabled children, to mainstream leisure centres, clubs and holiday locations.
National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries (NATLL), tel: 020 7255 4616, www.natll.org.uk. Links to local toy libraries. Information and advice.
Jager J and Ryan V. Evaluating clinical practice: using play-based techniques to elicit children's views of therapy. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry 2007 Jul, 12(3):437-50.
Palmer FB et al. Infant stimulation curriculum for infants with cerebral palsy: effects on infant temperament, parent-infant interaction, and home environment. Pediatrics 1990, 85(3;2):411-15.
Reid D. The influence of virtual reality on playfulness in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study. Occupational Therapy International 2004, 11(3):131-44.
More information about play therapy with cerebral palsy, http://tinyurl.com/2ty8cd.
See also Physical education and sports,
under Recognised approaches.
