The school system will provide special education and related services for school-aged children, including preschoolers. School staff and parents will work together to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that will describe the child’s unique needs and the services that […]
Special Education
IDEA and the Child with Hemiplegia The following information is very broad and is intended to give you a general guideline in helping navigate the special educational system. Each child is different; often, each school district, and sometimes each school […]
Travel
Because children with hemiplegia often have to work so hard to move their bodies, they sometimes tire quickly, especially on vacations. Parents from our online discussion group offer their ideas and tips for more enjoyable vacations and travel. General recommendations […]
Assistance Dogs
Canine Companions Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly-trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Canine Partners for Life Canine Partners For Life (CPL) trains and […]
Driving
Driving is something that many teens look forward to. If you’re a teen or young adult with hemiplegia you may wonder if you’ll be able to drive and drive safely. Many individuals with hemiplegia are able to drive; however, there […]
Hair
Washing Hair There are different methods for getting the shampoo from the bottle. Shampoo/conditioner/shower gel dispensers are easy to use with one hand. These can be mounted to the wall using silicone adhesive. If you can’t supinate your hand (turn […]
Hygiene
Issues concerning hygiene in individuals with hemiplegia can vary from the physical problems of trying to provide self care with one hand to the cognitive issues of remembering and comprehending certain aspects of personal care. Routine Setting up and remembering a routine […]
Potty Training
The day has come when we as parents start to think of freedom. That freedom comes in three simple words…NO More Diapers!!! You may think you have the perfect plan set up to begin this adventurous, sometimes messy journey to […]
Shoes for Orthotics, AFOs, DAFOs
Where can I buy shoes for my child’s AFO? What’s the best shoe for an AFO? Do I have to buy two sizes? These are the most common questions posted in our CHASA support groups. Check out our AFO buying […]
Adapting Clothing
Children with hemiplegia or hemiparesis may have challenges with dressing when using one hand. Many find their own system of getting dressed, but sometimes they may need a little help along the way. Below you’ll find creative ideas for adapting […]
Dressing
Ever tried to dress using just one hand? Try it today. Then imagine being six years old and trying to dress with one hand. On good days, it’s challenging, and on bad days, it’s a big stressor. On this page, […]
Surgery
Orthopedic surgery is sometimes used to treat the tight muscles that are related to hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Surgical procedures are individualized according to the child’s age, severity of hemiplegia, and overall health. Somtimes surgery needs to be repeated as the […]
Sensory Integration
Kids with hemiplegia often have a sensory processing disorder. Another label – just what you need, right? It just means that they have a different way of processing sensations. Some kids crave input – they want to run, touch, wrestle, […]
Gait in the Child With Hemiplegia
Gait refers to the controlled manner of walking or moving on foot. The functioning of the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system determines the gait pattern. In children who have hemiplegia, this delicate system is out of balance and often […]
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy (HABIT) Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy (HABIT) in children with hemiplegia is an intervention developed at Columbia University. It aims to improve the use and coordination of both arms in daily function – the way we typically […]
Transitioning to Adulthood
Life is full of transitions, and one of the more remarkable ones occurs when we get ready to leave high school and go out in the world as young adults. When the student has a disability, it’s especially helpful to […]
Intellectual Disabilities
Matthew’s Story Matt is 15 years old. Because Matt has an intellectual disability, he has been receiving special education services since elementary school. These services have helped him tremendously, because they are designed to fit his special learning needs. Last […]
Shampoo with One Hand
How can I shampoo with one hand? Should I use a special shampoo dispenser? If you have limited use of one hand, you may find yourself juggling shampoo bottles in the shower. One option is to install a special shampoo […]
Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy Mirror Muscle Activity – Research Opportunity
Visual EMG Feedback may Impact Mirror Muscle Activity in Children with Hemiplegia (IRB# 20130709CHARJ) The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) is assisting researchers in the Physical Therapy Department, University of New England, in recruiting participants for a research pilot […]
Individualized Education Program Examples
Examples of Individualized Education Programs for students with a diagnosis of hemiplegia, hemiplegic cerebral palsy, or hemiparesis and related disabilities. IEP and psychological report for Preschool student, age 2, with hemiplegia IEP for Pre-Kindergarten student, almost 3 years old, with […]
Pediatric Stroke – Dad’s Perspective
My wife gave birth to our son in an emergency c-section after she didn’t feel the baby moving the last day. We were right at the due date so he was full term. The doctors kept him in the NICU […]
Lunch Trays, Milk Cartons, and Kindergarten: One handed
I have a year before my son, who has left hemiplegia, starts all day kindergarten, and I’ve recently been having an anxiety attack about him having to carry a lunch tray, open a carton of milk, cut up his own […]
Paint for Pediatric Stroke
If you’re near Richmond, Virginia on August 27th, join us for a fun-filled and creative evening! We’ll paint Sweet Cow and learn more about the Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA), a national charity that helps children with hemiplegic cerebral […]
Cerebral Palsy: Behavior, Anger, and Decision Making
Angry Fits and the Decision Spiral of Doom I belong to a CHASA (Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association) Facebook group called ‘Hemikids and Pediatric Stroke Survivors’. Many of the members are parents of children with hemiplegia who are looking to […]
The Great (Culture) Wall – Disability and Society
I lost a friend once because I have Cerebral Palsy (CP). She wasn’t a particularly close friend, more a “wave and chat for a bit after Mass” friend. Either way, though, it stung. It wasn’t her fault, of course, but […]
Using Tools – Cerebral Palsy Doesn’t Slow Down Luka
We’re doing some renovations and my sweet boy asked to try the drill. He put in about 15 screws… with success!! He’s so proud! His left hand is a helper but you can see he can open it well and […]
My Baby had a Stroke – A Mom Copes
Allison Bemiss lives in southern Kentucky with her husband, Daniel, and two sons, seven year old Elijah and two year old Jonah. Just after Jonah’s first birthday, the family learned he was a pediatric stroke survivor. He suffered an in-utero […]
Things I have Learned From Having Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
I will never confuse my right and my left. Mouths are secretly hands that never grew fingers, and can be used as such. All doorknobs should be levers. Seriously. You try opening a doorknob with your fist when your other […]
The Importance of Giving Up
We live in a culture that tells us nothing is impossible. We’ve all heard it countless times: ‘The sky’s the limit’. ‘You can do whatever you set your mind to’. ‘Every great achievement was once considered impossible’. And, perhaps most […]
