Cerebral Palsy in Adults

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2019).

London (United Kingdom): National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 1-64.

This is a guideline providing recommendations on the care and support of adults with cerebral palsy.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (United Kingdom)

The following recommendations were provided for adults with cerebral palsy who may require alternative and augmentative communication systems: <ul> <li>"Explore with the person with cerebral palsy who has communication difficulties whether they have a potential need for alternative and augmentative communication systems" (p. 10).</li> <li>"Ensure that training is provided for people with cerebral palsy using alternative and augmentative communication systems and their families, carers and other key communication partners in home, care, social or work environments" (p. 10).</li> <li>Adults with cerebral palsy and poor speech intelligibility may still prefer using speech as their main means of communication.</li> </ul>

The following communication recommendations were provided: <ul> <li>The speech and communication needs of adults with cerebral palsy may change with time and social circumstances.</li> <li>If communication difficulties are present, then refer to speech and language therapy services to assess their need for intervention (e.g., alternative and augmentative communication systems, intensive speech therapy to improve speech intelligibility).</li> </ul>

Service providers should develop pathways to facilitate an adult with cerebral palsy to access a local network of care that includes specialist therapy services, such as speech and language therapy.

Refer to a speech and language therapist with dysphagia training for assessment if the adult with cerebral palsy has difficulties with eating or has recurrent chest infections that may be due to dysphagia.