“I Knew Something Wasn’t Right.” A Mother Learns Her Daughter has Familial Spastic Paraparesis

The following is an interview I had with Melissa Kyle of Kentucky. Her daughter Katlin (pictured below) was diagnosed with Familial Spastic Paraparesis (FSP), sometimes called Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis, a rare chromosomal disorder. 1. Tell me about yourself, your family, and your daughter Katlin. “My name is Melissa Kyle. I have been married for 17 years, and have four wonderful and very outgoing girls. Kayla is fifteen, Kelsey is thirteen, Katlin is eight, and Kerrigan is six. My college degree is in Early Childhood Development, and I have worked in the childcare profession for over ten years. Due to an … Continue reading →

What is Spina Bifida, and Who is at Risk?

What is Spina Bifida? Every year, about 3,000 infants are born with spina bifida, a neural tube defect which occurs during the first month of pregnancy. The spinal column of an unborn child begins to form early, often before a woman even realizes she is pregnant. If the spine does not fuse together properly, it leaves the delicate nerves of the spinal cord exposed or damaged. This is spina bifida. In severe cases, there may be brain involvement, causing fluid on the brain and requiring a permanent shunt for drainage. Spina bifida typically causes varying degrees of disability, from partial … Continue reading →

Evaluate Your Child’s Motor Abilities: Take This Quiz!

It’s easy to tell when a child has major problems with muscle tone or coordination. Yet it’s possible for children to have problems with muscle tone which are more subtle. When we’re focused on cognitive abilities, we might miss motor problems in our child which need attention. Observe your child in these scenarios, and ask yourself these questions: Gross Motor Ability 1. When my child hugs me, he feels: a) like he’s using upper body strength to squeeze me back. b) somewhat flaccid without much grasp. c) rigid and stiff, with his muscles seeming a little tight. 2. If I … Continue reading →

If Your Child is Diagnosed with a Hearing Loss

What will happen if my child has a diagnosed hearing loss? Your child will meet regularly with a pediatric audiologist and may have repeated tests to get a very accurate understanding of the level of deficiency. Then, the most likely course of treatment is that your child will receive hearing aids in either one or both ears. Hearing aids come in a variety of styles and can be worn in different ways, inside or outside the body, depending on the age of your child and tolerance to wearing them. It also depends on your child’s level of hearing loss and … Continue reading →

What Will Happen in Your Child’s Hearing Evaluation

If your child has any of the following symptoms or risk factors, he may be referred for a hearing evaluation: Shows a lack of attention or response to sound (See my blog post “Could My Child Have a Hearing Impairment?“) Speech is delayed or difficult to understand Family history of congenital hearing loss Premature birth, or child was in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) as an infant Frequent ear infections The child contracted meningitis or cytomegalovirus Who will evaluate my child’s hearing? Your child should be referred to a pediatric audiologist, who has specialized training in childhood hearing loss. The … Continue reading →

Could My Child Have a Hearing Impairment?

In the first year of life, hearing disorders often go undiagnosed. That’s because infants and young children are very adept at compensating for their hearing deficiencies. Babies respond to movement, sight, touch, smell, and certainly love and tenderness. These reactions can be mistaken for hearing. In children who have only slight impairments, it is very unlikely they can be properly diagnosed until they are closer to school age. Still, there are reactions you can specifically observe as your baby grows to reassure yourself that her hearing is on track with normal children her age. Ask yourself the following questions: Age … Continue reading →

Cerebral Palsy: A Brief Overview

What is Cerebral Palsy (CP)? “Cerebral” refers to the brain, and “palsy” means muscle paralysis. In combination, they refer to a group of conditions where an individual’s ability to move is affected. A person with cerebral palsy may have muscle rigidity or muscle weakness, either of which could cause difficulty with walking, speaking, and fine motor skills such as writing. Individuals with CP often require a walker or wheelchair to get around. Sometimes mental retardation accompanies Cerebral Palsy. Approximately 2 to 3 children out of 1,000 have this condition. It is important to note that CP is not progressive. Although … Continue reading →

Special Education and Children with Chronic Health Problems

Children with an acute or chronic illness have a tough road. Not only must they deal with the typical challenges of growing up, including school work, peer relationships, family stress, etc., but they must simultaneously cope with the symptoms of their disease. Conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, leukemia, sickle-cell anemia, diabetes, and even ADD/ADHD (Attention-Deficit Disorder/Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) fall under the classification of “other health impairment,” which is one of the thirteen recognized areas of disability. This is according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). (See my previous blog entry: “What Qualifies as a Disability?”) … Continue reading →