Fabrizio Stasolla – författare

Cerebral Palsy (CP) represents one of the most frequent neurological disorder in the infancy and in the childhood. It includes brain injuries or developmental defects. According to the World Health Organization, it is a main problem of public health. It may include communication, intellectual, and motor disabilities with negative consequences on children inclusion in daily life and caregivers burden. Rehabilitative interventions are primarily focused on promoting self-determination and independence of individuals with CP. Postural control, gait, and motor skills are usually embedded. Additionally, one may envisage request and choice programs aimed at enhancing the child''s awareness of his/her own behavior. The volume summarizes some illustrative evidence-based contributions to emphasize the effectiveness and the suitability of the adopted programs. Beside stability of upper limbs and motor performance of children with CP (chapter one), the therapeutic effects of a horse riding simulator which was compared to a traditional physiotherapy on the sitting position of children with spastic CP (chapter two), the evaluation of stability in children with different form of CP was assessed through a rehabilitative platform was implemented (chapter three). The aforementioned experimental examinations presented between-groups investigations. Furthermore, four case-report studies were included. Assistive technology-based setups were used to promote an active role, constructive engagement, and positive participation of the enrolled children with CP and intellectual disabilities. The beneficial outcomes on their quality of life were considered. Chapter four describes a microswitch-based program to enhance ambulation responses of a child with CP. Chapter five provides a detailed illustration of such program to support locomotion fluency. Chapter six illustrates a cluster-technology aimed at pursuing the dual goal of fostering an adaptive response and reducing a challenging behavior. Chapter seven refers to a computerized system focused on enabling a child with CP and intellectual delays with academic performance and communication opportunities. Whenever available, the effects on indices of happiness and/or positive participation were analyzed. Social validation procedures involving external raters were conducted. Practical features of the retained treatments were privileged. Clinical, educational, psychological, and rehabilitative implications of the findings were systematically and critically discussed. Caregivers, educators, families of children with CP, practitioners, psychologists, speech and occupational therapists, medicine or psychology students, and teachers may find some useful insights for both research and practice in daily life settings.

Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disease caused by mutations of the MECP2 gene, includes severe to profound developmental impairments. Communicative, intellectual, and motor disabilities are usually embedded. Children with Rett syndrome are individuals with multiple difficulties. Caregivers, families and professionals face to serious daily challenges due to clinical conditions determined by Rett syndrome. Accordingly, traditional interventions may not be adequate. Customized programs based on cognitive-behavioral approaches and assistive technology setups are highly warranted. The current book includes the newest empirical contributions to tackle functional consequences of Rett syndrome. Sleep and pain disorders were targeted in Chapter One. A cross-disciplinary investigation to enhance active participation and constructive engagement of children with Rett syndrome was detailed in Chapter Two. The importance of functional activities was emphasized in Chapter Three. Communication guidelines to support communication skills of individuals with Rett syndrome were critically discussed in Chapter Four. The relevance of music and music therapy to promote positive participation was argued in Chapter Five. A selective review on the use of assistive technology-based programs in individuals with Rett syndrome was provided in Chapter Six. A case report to help locomotion fluency of an adolescent with Rett syndrome through the use of microswitches and contingent positive stimulation was presented in Chapter Seven. The book was supported by illustrative examples described by the chapters’ contributors and their professional experience. Readers may find helpful insights within each edited chapter. Caregivers, families, and professionals may have a practical guide to everyday settings and environments or contexts. Clarity and readability for a large audience are undoubtedly strengths and advantages of the current volume. Although technical terminology was used throughout, both future research and practice can widely find meaningful tips and tangible suggestions to tackle daily barriers and/or obstacles in individuals with Rett syndrome and severe to profound developmental delays.

Fragile X syndrome is an inherited disease caused by an excessive length of the FMR protein due to mutations in the FMR1 gene located on the X chromosome. It is commonly described as one of the most common genetic diseases with autism-like behaviors and related developmental disabilities. Beside intellectual delays, behavioral problems, and communication difficulties, mood disorders usually occur. Diagnosis is based on laboratory tests and DNA results. Phenotypes including long and narrow face, large ears, hyper-arched palate, flat feet, ataxia, seizures, anxiety, aggression, and hand-related stereotypic behaviors are frequently observed. Although there is no specific cure, early interventions are highly encouraging, promising, and recommended. Pharmacological treatments may be combined with behavioral and/or cognitive behavioral interventions. Recently, assistive technology-based programs have been implemented. This volume includes seven chapters and addresses the newest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with Fragile X syndrome. Chapter One encompasses the molecular features and pathological bases of the disease. A comprehensive literature overview was conducted. The role of the FMR protein was emphasized although few studies evaluated its function. Chapter Two deals with the neuropsychiatric symptoms related to the syndrome. A complete conceptual framework was exhaustively detailed. Chapter Three emphasizes the role of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of Fragile X syndrome. A further literature review was carried out. Clinical relevance was outlined. Chapter Four provides the reader with a conceptual analysis. Besides molecular features, brain development was described. Challenging behaviors were included and the importance of the early combined intervention was critically discussed. Chapters Five, Six, and Seven detailed three case reports on the effectiveness and the suitability of assistive technology-based interventions. Specifically, Chapter Five argued for microswitch-cluster technology focused on pursuing the dual simultaneous goal of promoting an adaptive response (i.e., object manipulation) and reducing a challenging behavior (i.e., hand mouthing). Chapter Six describes a combined microswitch and VOCA program useful to ensure the participant has the choice between independent access to positive stimulation and asking for social interaction. Finally, Chapter Seven includes choice opportunities through an assistive technology-mediated program involving a boy with Fragile X in a functional task. Targeted readers (i.e., caregivers, clinicians, speech therapists, professionals, psychologists, neurologists, parents of children with Fragile X syndrome, teachers) may find interesting and stimulating tips and insights for daily use in clinical research and practice, with the dual objective of diagnosis and treatment.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) includes a group of permanent but non-progressive motor disturbances caused by defects in an immature brain. Next to postural abnormalities, movement disorders are commonly acknowledged. Speech deficits, communication delays, challenging behaviors, and locomotion and/or gait inabilities are usually embedded. Furthermore, children and adolescents with CP may have intellectual disabilities. Beside pharmacological approach and surgical interventions, cognitive-behavioral programs and assistive technology-based setups may be implemented. Both clinical practice and applied research may be targeted. The current volume emphasizes a two-decade professional experience of the Editor who works on technological-aided rehabilitative interventions to help people with multiple disabilities in daily settings. The independence, an active role, positive participation and functional occupation of individuals with severe to profound developmental disabilities were highlighted. The book includes eight chapters and provides the reader with practical guidance in daily circumstances. Chapter One is focused on an orthodontist’s perspective and deals with oral features, diagnostic method, and customized treatment to enhance the safety and the compliance of patients with CP. Chapter Two evaluates support networks of families raising a child with CP. Two different European geographic populations (i.e., Greece and Italy) were systematically compared. Chapter Three describes findings on Cerebral Palsy in Mexican pediatric patients and an experience in a National Institute of Health. Chapter Four presents a short clinical literature review on rehabilitation in CP. The newest empirical contributions were critically discussed. Chapter Five develops an on-track monitoring system to clarify longitudinal trajectories in children with cerebral palsy and systematic comparisons between children with CP were assessed. Chapter Six further argues on unique challenges for oral care and useful recommendations are outlined. Chapter Seven details a computerized customized system to enable three children with an independent request and choice process of desired items. Chapter Eight implements a keyboard tailored emulator to get literacy access in a child with cerebral palsy estimated in the normal range of intellectual functioning. A practical and updated guide to daily challenges posed by children and adolescents with cerebral palsy was presented. Both literature reviews and empirical contributions provide the reader with helpful tips on daily use once tackled with cerebral palsy. Clinical features of individuals with cerebral palsy were detailed and practical supervision was explained. That is, daily recommendations were argued with specific examples in different settings. Oral care, academic performance, leisure opportunities, and occupation options were fostered through practical and clinical guidance.