Question

What are the goals, advantages, and limitations of designing toys for cerebral palsy therapy? Please discuss in detail

Answer 1

Cerebral palsy is a group of movement disorders or neurological conditions that appear in childhood.This disorder causes the difficulty in movement of certain parts of the body.

Dammage to the CEREBRUM before 5 years of birth causes cerebral palsy as cerebrum is responsible for memory,ability to learn and communication skills.cerebrum dammage can effect vision and hearing.

Play theraphy incorporates the childs physical abilities ,cognitive functioning levels and emotional needs in a safe and supportive environment.

Play therapy is recomended when a chils is a toddler.

Play therapy may be conducted on a one on one basis or in a group ranging from physical activites that require movement to passive activites like listening story.

During therapy children will use soft clay,costumes with velcro closures,beads,colour pencils and crayons ,sand trays,textured toys,bright coloured toys and games,simple musical instruments ,large stuffed animals,doll houses,bright lighting etc.

Play therapy buids self confidance ,interaction and sense of self, reduced feelings of anxiety ,depression,and anger,increased autonomy,improved self expression,decreased feelings of seperateness,improved desition making,improved feeling of control over environment etc.

During play therapy, children will learn:

• The benefits of play
• How to have fun
• How to make friends
• How to channel the impulse to play into action
• How to play with and alongside others
• How to thrive in group settings
• How to minimize physical limitations
• How to physically manipulate toys and objects
• How to comply with socially accepted norms of play

Techniques used in play therapy include:

• Talk therapy
• Conversation to engage a child
• Story time involving books that support positive messages
• Animal interaction
• Human interaction with children and peers or adults with authority
• Family time

Play with purpose is often fun. Toys are gripped, operated and manipulated. Creative arts and crafts encourage sharing and openness.

Large art projects created with others provide a sense of partnership. Dramatic dance or musical performances involve the senses.