Assessment of effects of position on communication board access by individuals with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Individuals who are severely physically disabled by cerebral palsy are often placed in a variety of adaptive positioning devices for therapeutic and functional purposes. Observation and theory suggest that position can influence the ability of these individuals to access communication boards and other communication aids, but there is little empirical evidence to support such claims and there are few guidelines for assessment of positioning effects. This study demonstrates an objective method to assess the ability of individuals with cerebral palsy to access communication board locations, and it also begins to provide needed information about the differential effects of adaptive positioning devices on communication board access.