A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the average prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) in 8-year-old children is 1 in 303 or 3.3 per 1,000. 

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and keep their balance and posture as a result of an injury to parts of the brain, or as a result of a problem with development.  Often the problem happens before birth or soon after being born. Cerebral palsy causes different types of motor impairment in each child. A child may appear to be a little clumsy or awkward, or be unable to walk at all.

If a parent or a pediatrician has concerns about a child’s motor development, there is immediate help available through the early intervention program (for children under 3) or public school (for children 3 and older) in each community.  These programs will provide a thorough evaluation for the child, offer a diagnosis or referral for diagnosis, and provide services and resources that the child and family may need. The sooner these services can start, the better off the child will be. 

To learn more about the signs and causes of cerebral palsy and what to do if you think your child might have it, please go to the CDC website.

I sat in for an hour or two at the Up to 3 classroom in the CPD, and though the activities were for little tykes, I learned some new things. For example, they have this great, no-mess method for applying glitter.

Find out how they do it as they make a rainbow fish.

Step 1: Color your fish.

Step 2: Paint with glue.

Step 3: Put your fish in an oatmeal can that has been cleaned out and partially filled with glitter. Seal and shake...

until there you go! Your fish is finished. You'll want to let it dry before you touch it, though.

The Disability Law Center in Salt Lake City has long been a valuable partner of the CPD.  As an agency member of the CPD’s Consumer Advisory Council,  they haved shared their perspective on disability issues in Utah and have helped to guide and support the core objectives of the CPD.

The Disability Law Center (DLC) is a private non-profit agency that works to enforce and strengthen laws that protect the opportunities, choices, and civil rights of people with disabilities in Utah through legally-based advocacy.  Upon the retirement of their past Executive Director, Matt Knotts, they are currently seeking a new leader for their agency.

The ideal candidate for this position will have a passionate commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities and an understanding of disability civil rights, history, and law.  They will be responsible for the overall statewide operation of the agency, in both management and advocacy representation.

To read a more in-depth description of this job position, please visit the Disability Law Center website. To learn more about the Protection and Advocacy Network, you can visit the National Disability Rights Network website.

 Each March Utah joins other states to celebrate Disability Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Help Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Climb to New Heights.”

You can heighten your awareness of disabilities by learning about the resources in your community.  The Utah Parent Center provides information about resources, local activities,  and trainings available to people with disabilities and their families in Utah.

The internet is another great way to learn about disabilities and the services that are available to people with disabilities.  The CPD website is a great source for disability information;  local, state, and national.

Volunteering for an organization that serves people with disabilities is also a good way to understand more about people who have disabilities.  The CPD has a variety of volunteer opportunities that will help you meet people with disabilities.

The Utah Developmental Disabilities Council encourages us to be  a “Part of the celebration, be a part of the solution.”

It is coming!  The 2010 Census questionaires are on the way.  Your information can make a difference for disability programs in Utah. 

Federal money is distributed on a formula based on population numbers as well as representation to Congress.   Please fill out your census forms as soon as they arrive and help us all get counted.   The information that you provide is completely confidential.

In the words of the Census Bureau, “The Census is a portrait and it belongs to all of us.”

For more information about what to expect on the Census, see our January Blog.