Behavioral Responses to Tactile Stimuli in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Children with cerebral palsy often have difficulty processing tactile information. Assessment of tactile processing in children with cerebral palsy frequently relies on the use of informal clinical observations, checklists, and sensory histories without established psychometric properties. It is proposed that a formal approach to the assessment of behavioral responses to tactile stimuli will provide a better understanding of the tactile processing of children with cerebral palsy. This approach also has potential to assist with the development of intervention strategies and the evaluation of progress. The purposes of this article are to review the literature on the tactile processing difficulties of children with cerebral palsy, examine the suitability of existing assessments of tactile processing for children with cerebral palsy, and provide a rationale for a new assessment tool being developed by the authors.

Key Words:

• Behavioral responses
• behavioral assessment
• cerebral palsy
• sensory processing
• tactile processing

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kellie Clayton

Michael Lepp, PT, is in private practice, Associate Instructor of the Upledger Institute, and Clinical Instructor, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH.

Marie McKenzie, MS, OTR, is in private practice. She was Coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Scottish Rite Hospital at the time of this study.

Heather Miller, MS, OTR/L, is currently employed by Madison County Educational Service Center, providing therapy services to the county's pre-schools. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an MS degree at Ohio State University.

Linda Viscardis, BA, is Team Leader and Community Development Worker, Peterborough Family Enrichment Centre. She is Co-Founder of P.R.O.S.P.E.C.T.S., a support and advocacy group for families who have children with special needs.

Debra Stewart, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Erinoak, Serving Young People with Physical Disabilities, Mississauga, ON, and Clinical Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.

Janette McDougall, MA, was Project Coordinator

Kip Husted, BEd, was a parent representative on the study team.

Aviva Yochman, MA, OTR, was a student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel at the time of this study.

Imelda Burgman, MA OTR/L BCP, completed her MA in Movement Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University, and was an Occupational Therapist at The Shield Institute, Bronx, NY. She is currently Lecturer, Habilitation, School of Community Health, Faculty of Health Studies, Charles Sturt University, Albury, N.S.W., Australia.

Barbara J. Steva, OTWL, BCP, is Occupational Therapist, University of New England Community Occupational Therapy Clinic, Saco, ME. She was Director of Occupational Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation, Franciscan Children's Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Boston, MA, when this work was completed.