Challenging Physiotherapy for Children with Ataxia Telangiectasia

The aim of this article is to provide insight in the challenges for physiotherapists in assessment and treatment of the rare, degenerative and grave neurological disease Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT). Nevertheless, the physiotherapeutic frame proposed here can be of value also for other clients, especially those with serious diseases. AT characterizes by cerebellar degeneration with ataxia, telangiectasies, immunodeficiency, increased cancer risk and life expectancy of 20-25 years. It is challenging to be a physiotherapist, working with children with AT. They have to consider the development of the disorder in stages. In the preschool stage (age 0-6), there is still a development and learning of new skills. In the school age (age 6-12) starts the deterioration and loss of function. The child needs to use a wheelchair. In the teenager stage (age 12 and older), the motor function stabilises and new challenges evolve including respiration and nutrition. The goal for training must be adjusted to the priorities in the childs and familys total situation, their wishes and needs. It is a challenge for physiotherapists to find adequate assessment tools that will measure the childrens function and at the same time consider their needs for coping..

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2008

Erschienen:

2008

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:75

Enthalten in:

Fysioterapeuten - 75(2008), 10, Seite 23-27

Sprache:

Dänisch ; Englisch ; Norwegisch (Bokmål) ; nno ; Schwedisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Ellen Velema [VerfasserIn]
Trudy Burgers [VerfasserIn]

Links:

doaj.org [kostenfrei]
fysioterapeuten.no [kostenfrei]
Journal toc [kostenfrei]
Journal toc [kostenfrei]

Themen:

Adolescent
Ataxia Telangiectasia
Child
DNA Repair-Deficiency Disorders
Genetic Diseases
Habilitation
Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes
Inborn
Inborn; DNA Repair-Deficiency Disorders; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes
Medicine (General)
Neurocutaneous Syndromes
Physical Therapy modalities
Physical therapy
Recovery of function
Rehabilitation
Spinocerebellar Ataxias
Telangiectasis

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

DOAJ063839652