39 Evaluating Participation in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Background and aims: The European SPARCLE study of children with cerebral palsy responds to a growing interest in evaluating children with disabilities according to their quality of life and participation in life situations. The aim of this presentation is to report for the Danish children in the SPARCLE study 1) participation and physical, social and attitudinal environment 2) their parent's view of the social security system and 3) international differences in participation and the environment needed for children with cerebral palsy. Methods: There were 115 Danish children with cerebral palsy age 8 to 12 years and their families (818 children in the SPARCLE study). Measures used were Life-H, Frequency of Participation Questionnaire and the European Child Environment Questionnaire. Results: Danish children with cerebral palsy aged 8 to 12 had a high level of participation in everyday life and participated, for example, as often in sport and outdoor games as Danish children in the general population. The environment often fulfilled the needs of these children. Danish children with cerebral palsy had much higher participation, compared with children with cerebral palsy in other European regions. Denmark was among the European regions providing children with cerebral palsy with the most accessible environment. Conclusions: The high level of participation of Danish children demands much human assistance, aids and adaptations. It is likely that this human assistance is mainly provided by parents. Danish parents call for better information regarding social support and we need more information regarding well-being of parents of children with cerebral palsy.