TY - JOUR
T1 - Cognitive assessments among children with cerebral palsy in Sweden and the use of augmentative and alternative communication and interpreters
T2 - a cross-sectional registry study
AU - O'Regan, Elisabeth
AU - Stadskleiv, Kristine
AU - Czuba, Tomasz
AU - Alriksson-Schmidt, Ann I
PY - 2022/10/29
Y1 - 2022/10/29
N2 - PURPOSE: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have an increased risk of cognitive difficulties and should be offered cognitive assessments. In Sweden, the CP
Cog protocol recommends children with CP undergo cognitive assessments at the start of primary and secondary school. To assess children with CP can be challenging, in particular when children are non-vocal or do not speak the local language. In such instances, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and qualified medical interpreters should be considered. The purpose of this study was to monitor the implementation and equitable delivery of the CP
Cog protocol in Sweden between the years 2017-2020.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, registry data were extracted from the combined follow-up program and national registry for individuals with CP (CPUP), and a convenience sample of psychologists responded to an online survey.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Each year, less than 5% of eligible children had registered cognitive assessments in CPUP. There was underuse of AAC during assessments and a discrepancy between the registered versus reported use of interpreters. Psychologists perceived AAC as more reliable for cognitive assessments than interpreters. Greater availability of and capacity to offer cognitive assessments in other formats and languages could help increase test accessibility for all children with CP.Implications for RehabilitationThe cognitive assessment of children with cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex but important issue within disability and re/habilitation.Individualized cognitive assessments should be offered and carried out by psychologists.Rehabilitation centers should strive to be inclusive through reliable test adaptations for functional abilities, means of communication, and language.Greater availability of- and capacity to offer cognitive assessments in more formats and languages could help increase test accessibility for children with disabilities.
AB - PURPOSE: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have an increased risk of cognitive difficulties and should be offered cognitive assessments. In Sweden, the CP
Cog protocol recommends children with CP undergo cognitive assessments at the start of primary and secondary school. To assess children with CP can be challenging, in particular when children are non-vocal or do not speak the local language. In such instances, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and qualified medical interpreters should be considered. The purpose of this study was to monitor the implementation and equitable delivery of the CP
Cog protocol in Sweden between the years 2017-2020.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, registry data were extracted from the combined follow-up program and national registry for individuals with CP (CPUP), and a convenience sample of psychologists responded to an online survey.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Each year, less than 5% of eligible children had registered cognitive assessments in CPUP. There was underuse of AAC during assessments and a discrepancy between the registered versus reported use of interpreters. Psychologists perceived AAC as more reliable for cognitive assessments than interpreters. Greater availability of and capacity to offer cognitive assessments in other formats and languages could help increase test accessibility for all children with CP.Implications for RehabilitationThe cognitive assessment of children with cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex but important issue within disability and re/habilitation.Individualized cognitive assessments should be offered and carried out by psychologists.Rehabilitation centers should strive to be inclusive through reliable test adaptations for functional abilities, means of communication, and language.Greater availability of- and capacity to offer cognitive assessments in more formats and languages could help increase test accessibility for children with disabilities.
U2 - 10.1080/09638288.2022.2138571
DO - 10.1080/09638288.2022.2138571
M3 - Article
C2 - 36308310
JO - Disability and Rehabilitation
JF - Disability and Rehabilitation
SN - 0963-8288
ER -