Characteristics of activities of children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy represents a condition that occurs under the influence of the various factors of the prenatal, natal and postnatal nature, which leads to disorders of various levels and forms of motor, cognitive, sensory, emotional and/or social functioning of the child. It is possible to expect some improvements by the application of modern therapeutic approaches. The aim of the research was to determinate the characteristics of the activity of children with cerebral palsy and investigate differences in the preferences for certain activities in relation to their peers. The research was conducted in March 2018th on the territory of the city Belgrade at the Elementary School for Children with Cerebral Palsy "Miodrag Matic", Elementary School "Dr Dragan Hercog" and Elementary School "Braca Baruh". The Preferences for Activities of Children (PAC) was used to evaluate children's needs. In total, 113 children were assessed and classified into two groups, first group included children with diagnosis of cerebral palsy (N = 29), and the second, control, included 84 children from a regular school. The results of the research showed that children with cerebral palsy has the most pronounced tendency towards social activities than towards recreational activities, than the tendency towards self-improvement activities, and also to skills-based activities and physical activities. On the other hand, the children form control group has the most prominent tendency towards social activities, then to physical activities, recreational activities, followed by the inclination to skills-based activities and ultimately the tendency towards self-improvement activities.