Development of social functioning in children with cerebral palsy: A longitudinal study
Andrea Burgess1, Leanne Sakzewski1, Koa Whittingham1
1The University of Queensland, Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, Child Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia.
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|October 25, 2022
Summary
Social functioning in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is strongly linked to their communication abilities, as measured by the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). Most children in CFCS Level I met age expectations, while most in higher levels did not.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Developmental psychology
- Rehabilitation medicine
Background:
- Social functioning is crucial for children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- The Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) categorizes communication abilities in children with CP.
- Understanding the relationship between communication and social development in CP is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development of social function in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To analyze social function across all levels of the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS).
Main Methods:
- Prospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort study of children with CP in Queensland, Australia.
- Social functioning assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and PEDI Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT) at various ages (2 to 12 years).
- Children classified by CFCS levels.
Main Results:
- Social function at 8-12 years strongly correlated with CFCS level.
- 35/45 children (78%) in CFCS Level I met age expectations for social function.
- 25/29 children (86%) in CFCS Levels II-V had social functioning below age expectations.
- Intellectual impairment was associated with lower social/cognitive scores.
Conclusions:
- A strong relationship exists between social functioning and CFCS levels in children with CP.
- CFCS level and age were stronger predictors of social functioning development than motor function classifications.
- Interventions targeting communication may positively impact social development in children with CP.
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