Saturday, September 19, 2015

RESEARCH THAT BENEFITS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
  
Children with Disabilities ---Botox and Cerebral Palsy
 
One positive effect of children and families in terms of research that I would like to share is the research that has been developing over the past tens years. Research in children with Cerebral Palsy and the use of Botox which is a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that reduces the rigidity of muscles or unwanted spasms in a specific muscle. Botox as we know it, is used as a cosmetic that helps reduce wrinkles or make body parts fuller. 

CP is a condition that is marked by impaired muscle coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities caused by damage to the brain before or at birth.  
 
Over the past ten years, research has been conducted and proven successful for children with CP and the use of Botox.  Small amounts are injected into spastic or stiff muscles. The injection takes effect immediately blocking the transmission between the nerves and the muscles. Muscles are then relaxed and reduces stiffness promoting mobility for muscles to be stretched. It's use also helps children with ease of stretching, improvement in child's range of motion, and tolerance to wearing braces and developmental improvements in crawling, standing, or gait walking.
 
Initial research conducted a study of 250 children with CP and Botox injections.  As a result,  video's from children's gait, assessments from doctors, and reports from families found that 86 % of the children treated demonstrated noticeable improvements in symptoms of muscle spasticity. After two years, 80 % of the children still showed improvement over their initial symptoms. Reports have also proven that some children in the study were able to do more for themselves such as feeding themselves, or operating a sink faucet. Others were able to hold a pen and write for the first time. Some were able to use a computer screen to communicate. All of which have proven to be success stories regarding children.


Research on behalf of children is crucial in finding new methods and ways to help children perform and function at their highest capacity as they grow, learn, and develop in life. We were ask the question during our discussion this past week if there are any societal benefits from subjecting children to "greater than minimal risk". I believe that this is one method that society/children can benefit from. 


CP and use of  Botox is near and dear to me as this is a method that is currently being used on my grandbaby. This has helped her become more mobile.  As she continues on her journey, I believe our family will see some more benefits of its use. 

Here's a picture of one of my favorite girl's.  Meet Khloe Warner, almost 4 years  old.  She is a recipient of "Botox" use for her CP condition as a result of research. The smile that you see is always on her face regardless of what she is going through. When I think about life and situations, I am grateful and always think about my "Khloebug".  I have much to be grateful for! 




Saturday, September 12, 2015


Personal Research Journey
      The general topic I chose to explore is Child Nutrition and what effects it has had on child development.  As I searched further, I found the following three subtopics that would pertain to this topic: brain development, malnutrition and child obesity.  All are of importance to me as they have touched my personal life in some sort of way. However, I decided to go with a topic that has been steadily increasing and can be viewed as an impeding issue within the early childhood field.  Childhood obesity is an alarming and rising issue that has become prevalent across the nation and in the lives of families. Many young children are affected by obesity and are experiencing more and more health challenges. Parents, caregivers and the people who love them play a huge role in ensuring that children get what is needed to help prevent and help them grow into healthy young children and adults. My research question poses the issue of, “Is childhood obesity a result of the lack of parental care”?  Children are overweight and unhealthy because they are not receiving the proper nutrition of food and physical activity that can help to avoid obesity in their early years. Although research is being conducted, there is still further study that can be explored to help promote education and ways to fix the problem.
     My personal and professional experience is that I am a director of a child and youth program and am responsible for working closely with our USDA department and family childcare providers to ensure that children are receiving and being offered nutritious meals and adequate physical activity within our program throughout the day.
Throughout my charting process, I have learned that there is so much more to conducting research and the time it takes to find out the information that is needed to prove or validate your research. Many new terminology and ideas have been given to help shed some light on the research process.  The book and other resource articles help to bring some understanding on the beginnings process. I think that with anything; the more you practice and use the tools given, the more it will help you become better at finding and producing what is needed for the outcome.
     In search of additional insight on my topic, I am asking my colleagues to share what ideas, insights and practices that are using to help get the word out and educate children and parents on the importance of helping children and families make healthier choices and practices regarding health and nutrition.