Cerebral palsy often impacts a child’s speech, making words slur or lack enunciation. A speech problem can be just as troubling as a child’s movement difficulties, so scientists at a Scotland university are about to begin a three-year study that will closely examine the speech patterns of children with cerebral palsy.
The researchers hope to gain insight into better speech therapy for children with cerebral palsy. Improved speech would open many doors for kids with cerebral palsy, who find themselves discriminated against because of speech issues and spastic movements associated with the condition.
“Many children with cerebral palsy have difficulties with speech melody, rhythm and stress. These difficulties, generally referred to as prosodic difficulties, can affect the intelligibility of a child’s speech, and are therefore of great clinical importance,” said lead researchers Dr. Anja Kuschmann.
The study is encouraging news for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The disorder often originates from acts of medical negligence, although sometimes it occurs for unknown reasons.
If you have a child with cerebral palsy, you have a right to explore why. If medical malpractice is the cause, you may be able to recover money damages that provide your child with a brighter future. An experienced Michigan cerebral palsy attorney can help get you answers and apprise you of any avenues of legal recourse.
McKeen & Associates, P.C., is a nationally recognized law firm focused on cerebral palsy lawsuits and other areas of medical malpractice. Founding partner Brian J. McKeen was recently awarded the Dan Cullan Memorial Award, for his lifelong dedication to birth trauma advocacy.
Source: About Lawsuits, “Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis, Treatment May Be Improved By Speech Research,” Irvin Jackson, Sep. 9, 2013
