Case Studies

These are reports of recent treatments, though we have changed the names of the children involved.

Paul

Paul is a 10 year old boy who, with his family, worked hard at his programme. He was rewarded by gaining the ability to take a few steps by himself with no assistance and without using walking aids. Although this may seem a very moderate gain, it is a vital functional achievement for a boy of this age. It will ensure that he is able to get by himself from his bed to a chair or from chair to toilet without needing someone else there – true independence!

Charlotte

Charlotte was nearly 5 years old when she started her Targeted Training. She was able to sit on a low bench but was insecure and could only move on the floor by rolling. She also found it very difficult to stand and needed a great deal of support to stay upright. Now Charlotte can stand by herself! This, as with Paul, is a great move forward for her family as having a child who can take their own weight and does not need lifting makes all the difference to everyday care. Although lifting a 5 year old is not too much problem, we need to build for the future when children are teenagers or adults. The ability to stand and take a few steps means the difference between needing a hoisting system at home or not. It also means that a disabled person can go out for the day with their family and manage to get into a car or use a public toilet – not possible if a hoist is needed.

Lucy

Lucy made huge gains with her Targeted Training therapy. When she first attended at 16 months old, she was very limited in what she could do and needed to be supported at all times. She is now a different child – able to sit by herself, pull to kneel and is starting to stand and walk. As with all our families, Lucy’s parents were very committed and have been rewarded for all their hard work.

Emma

Emma is a delightful 5 year old girl, full of smiles. She had very few functional abilities when she first started at The Movement Centre. She was insecure in sitting and could not pull herself to a kneeling position – the first stage in learning to stand up. Now Emma is very confident and no longer needs to use her hands for support in sitting – so she can sit and play! And she can pull herself to kneeling with just a little help.

Simon

Simon has a mischievous smile! Although he is 5 years old, he had not yet gained head control when he first came to The Movement Centre. Although his parents knew what he wanted or felt, Simon had no effective means of telling anyone else as he had no speech, couldn’t nod or shake his head or direct his gaze. Imagine his parents delight (and trepidation) when we recently took the head support off his special equipment as his head control had improved so much he no longer needs it! He can now lift his head to look at what he wants, he can direct his gaze to make a choice and is starting to learn to drink from a cup. But Simon’s greatest thrill is that he has learned to use a walker – only possible now he has head control, and this means he can play football with his brother! Quite an achievement and he has very proud parents!

Jasmine

Jasmine is a delightful and determined five year old who is full of chat and who never stops smiling.

When she first came to The Movement Centre, Jasmine was able to walk with her walker or sticks but was very asymmetrical and had difficulty in controlling her legs. Her balance was very poor. Jasmine has worked hard at her Targeted Training programme – mainly because it gives her the chance to play with balloons! She now prefers to walk without her sticks and her walking is much more assured. As she has become stronger, Jasmine is tiring less quickly and so she can play for longer. Just what a five year old needs!

Richard

Richard was just 21 months old when he began his Targeted Training therapy. At that stage, he had poor head control and needed to be held when sitting. Now he can sit by himself and is beginning to pull to kneeling and even up to standing. For Richard, his new ability to bottom shuffle from room to room is his best achievement – now he can get into mischief wherever he wants!