*This event is for everyone
 

Lectureship Description:

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is by definition an infantile-onset condition; however, the majority of individuals with CP in the US are adults.  The period of transition from pediatric to adult care is accompanied by new opportunities as well as challenges, many of which are not addressed by currently available transition tools.  Adults with CP have unique functional, psychosocial, and medical needs; however, data guiding best practices is limited.   In this talk, we will discuss barriers to wellness for adults with CP and explore strategies to help adults with CP to not merely survive but thrive.
 

Lectureship Objectives:

• Review available data on morbidity, mortality, and life-span for people with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
• Recognize current limitations of clinically available tools for transition in patients with CP.
• Examine domains of transitional needs identified by the families of emerging adults with CP.
• Establish unique medical and societal challenges faced by adults with CP.
• Strategize potential interventions to improve long-term wellness in adults with CP.

Summary: 
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is by definition an infantile-onset condition; however, the majority of individuals with CP in the US are adults. The period of transition from pediatric to adult care is accompanied by new opportunities as well as challenges, many of which are not addressed by currently available transition tools.  Adults with CP have unique functional, psychosocial, and medical needs; however, data guiding best practices is limited.   In this talk, we will discuss barriers to wellness for adults with CP and explore strategies to help adults with CP to not merely survive but thrive.

Lectureship Speaker:

Dr. Heather Riordan is the medical director of the Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental Medicine at Kennedy Krieger Institute and is an assistant professor of pediatric neurology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Her clinical interests include the diagnosis of neurogenetic disorders and treatment of spasticity and complex movement disorders, including dystonia and chorea.  Dr. Riordan has expertise in botulinum toxin injection, baclofen pump management and deep brain stimulator management.  Her hope is to help her patients more fully participate in the things that make them happy.

CEU Information: This activity is approved for 2.0 CEUs from the Maryland Board of Physical therapy Practice.

For all questions, please email physicaltherapy@kennedykrieger.org