Beyond the Birthmark: Going Past the Surface with Sturge-Weber

By‎: TELETONUSA / 28-05-2021

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a congenital disorder affecting the healthy development of certain blood vessels that supply the brain, skin, and eyes. It is characterized by a port wine birthmark on the face, increased pressure in the eye, and neurological involvement (e.g. leptomeningeal angioma). These can result in seizure activity as well as stroke-like episodes causing temporary weakness on one side of the body, vision deficits, migraine headaches, and loss of consciousness. Symptom severity vary between individuals with Sturge-Weber syndrome, and some may not exhibit all three symptoms.

To address these symptoms, individuals with Sturge-Weber syndrome can receive vascular specific laser treatment (as frequent as every 6-8 weeks) to decrease the size and lighten the color of the port wine birthmark. They may receive antiepileptic medications to address seizure activity as well as medications specific to addressing glaucoma. Although there is no cure, children with Sturge-Weber syndrome can benefit from physical and occupational therapy to address muscle imbalances seen on the affected side of the body, facilitate engagement in school activities, and promote their functional independence.

For more information, please visit: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/sturge-weber-syndrome/

World Multiple Sclerosis Day

By‎: TELETONUSA / 28-05-2021

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that causes a breakdown in communication between the brain and the nervous system. Its symptoms include vision loss, pain, fatigue, and coordination challenges.

This condition has no cure, but with rehabilitation and other treatments it is possible to improve the quality of life of people who have it, changing the course of the disease and controlling its symptoms.

Why is it commemorated?

On the World Multiple Sclerosis Day, a call is made for people living with this condition, to share their stories and raise awareness among the general population. An attempt is also made to break down the social barriers that make people with MS feel lonely and socially isolated. It is an opportunity to promote better services and support networks.

TeletonUSA and MS

At TeletonUSA Foundation we have specialists and equipment that can benefit people living with MS. Our services are available for all children, in the traditional TeletonUSA model.

Don’t Wait, Vaccinate at CRIT

By‎: TELETONUSA / 20-05-2021

In order to better serve our community, we are pleased to announce that Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA will become a COVID-19 Vaccination Center.

Professionals from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health), will be administering the Pfizer vaccine on the following dates:

First dose: Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Second dose: Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Requirements:

You must be over 12 years of age
You must arrive on time for your appointment
You must fill out the registration form, available here

If you have questions, or need more information, call (210) 257-6260 or send an email to contactus@critusa.org.

About OI: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment

By‎: TELETONUSA / 18-05-2021

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease, is a genetic disorder affecting the healthy development of the skeletal system. Children with this condition have a genetic defect that affects their ability to make collagen, resulting in collagen deficiency or having collagen that doesn’t function properly. As a result, their bones are not as strong as a typically developing child.

Symptoms can include:

Bones that break easily
Bone pains
Bone deformities (such as scoliosis development or having bowlegs)
Shorter stature
A triangular-shaped face

Though there are 15 different types of OI, the most common types are types I-IV, which vary in life expectancy and functional prognosis. While there is no cure, children with OI can benefit from physical and occupational therapy to prevent fractures, manage them when they occur, strengthen muscles to promote overall mobility and functional independence and incorporate standing programs for bone/joint integrity.

For more information, please visit https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/osteogenesis-imperfecta.html

How to Use Books to Promote Communication Skills

By‎: TELETONUSA / 21-04-2021

Whether or not your child has a disability, reading, and story-telling is a critical way to help them develop speech and language skills.

We use books and story-telling with children to help promote brain development, teach language and emotions, spark curiosity, and encourage children to use their imagination. The book you choose to read is not as important as how you read it to your child. Some books have many words and some books have no words. Feel free to read the books and remember to interact with your child throughout the reading activity.

You can do this by pointing out objects and characters, asking questions about what the characters are doing, describing pictures in the book, calling attention to colors, actions, emotions, animals, or people. This will help your child to develop a robust vocabulary as kids are visual and auditory learners.

Reading every word in the book is an option but not required to engage your child in a language-rich learning experience. Books that include songs, rhymes, and repetitions are a great way to get your child involved in the story. Have them repeat common phrases, sing-a-long, and predict rhymes throughout the story to keep them engaged.

Understanding the Puzzle of Autism

By‎: TELETONUSA / 08-04-2021

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a group of conditions that cause difficulties with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. Collectively, ASD is comprised of the following conditions: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. ASD is a common diagnosis and, according to the Center for Disease Control, affecting 1 in 54 children in the United States today.

ASD is commonly diagnosed around 2-3 years of age and is based on behavior and development. Each child diagnosed with Autism will demonstrate different strengths and weaknesses. However, common signs and symptoms of ASD include:

Challenges with social, emotional, and communication skills
Avoiding eye contact
Repeating actions over and over
Difficulty adapting to change
Fixation on certain objects
Sensitivity to light, sound, and touch

Additionally, treatment for ASD is dependent on the child, their symptoms, and their developmental delays. Children may benefit from all therapy services or may need more attention in one area over another.

A Small Glimpse at Traumatic Brain Injury

By‎: TELETONUSA / 19-03-2021

A Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, results from a direct hit to the head that disrupts healthy brain function and development. The severity of a TBI ranges from “mild” to “severe.” Short-term symptoms generally fall within one of four categories: (1) thinking/remembering (such as difficulty concentrating or remembering new information); (2) physical (such as nausea, vomiting, or light sensitivity); (3) emotional/mood (such as irritability, sadness, or anxiety); and (4) sleep (sleeping more or less than usual). Caregivers should seek immediate medical attention if the child experienced a bump or blow to the head/body, and especially if they observe different sized pupils, new seizure activity, or loss of consciousness. Additionally, if a child will not stop crying or will not eat, they should be taken to the emergency department.

For mild cases, such as concussions, the most important activity that will help recovery is rest. Children should avoid high-risk and high-speed activities that could result in another concussion. Caregivers should administer medications as prescribed by the pediatrician. For more severe cases, early and consistent physical, occupational, and speech therapy is indicated to help optimize their functional potential. While they may not return to their baseline level of function, patient and caregiver involvement with therapist can provide the training and adaptive equipment needed to improve their quality of life.

For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury

The Benefits of Standing

By‎: TELETONUSA / 10-03-2021

Standing is an important activity that benefits people of all ages. From improving bone density to helping with lung expansion, it boasts benefits for all of our body systems. When given adequate support, it also helps people better engage in daily life activities. Standers serve to provide this necessary support, allowing someone to stay upright for long periods of time. Below you will find many of the benefits these devices have to offer.

Improves circulation and respiration (i.e. heart and lung function).
Increases bone density resulting in reduced risk of osteoporosis or fractures (i.e. weakened or broken bones).
Increases weight bearing for improved development of hip joint and reduced risk of hip displacement/dislocation.
Promotes proper use of body’s muscles reducing compensations and risk of injury.
Promotes muscle efficiency, resulting in less energy use and decreased muscle fatigue.
Limits stresses placed on your bones, ligaments and joints, reducing the risk of injury.
Relieves pressure points from longer periods of sitting resulting in improved skin integrity.
Improves and regulates digestion and bowel/bladder function (i.e. ability to use the bathroom).
Decreases risk of leg contractures since standing provides a prolonged stretch in good alignment.
Improves participation with age-appropriate play, along with improved eye to eye contact.

A Closer Look at Cerebral Palsy

By‎: TELETONUSA / 26-02-2021

Cerebral Palsy (CP) can be described or classified in many different ways, including the severity or type of CP. One way to classifying CP is by telling the body part(s) affected.

Monoplegia: one limb, either one arm or one leg, is affected.
Hemiplegia: one side is affected; both arm and leg.
Diplegia: typically affects the legs more than the arms.
Quadriplegia: all four limbs, both arms, and legs, are affected.

You might have also heard of muscle tone or the tightness of a muscle at rest. CP affects muscle tone and how the body’s muscles work together. There are different kinds of abnormal muscle tone. However, two common ones are hypertonia and hypotonia. Hypertonia is described as an increase in muscle tone, which results in increased tightness and stiff limbs. Alternatively, hypotonia is a decrease in muscle tone, which results in decreased tightness and loose limbs.

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