Introduction to the clinical reasoning approach of the book

[Extract] Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood (Rosenbaum, 2003). The disturbances that occur in the developing fetal or infant brain with cerebral palsy result in a wide variety of movement disorders that persist from childhood into the adult years. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists play a key role in helping people with cerebral palsy to solve problems with movement and the range of other impairments that so often accompany cerebral palsy, so that they can be more active and better able to participate in roles such as study, work, recreation and relationships. The aim of this book is to provide a practical guide for physiotherapists and occupational therapists who support the needs of people with cerebral palsy but it will also be a useful resource for those with cerebral palsy, their families, carers and teachers. It may also be of interest to physiotherapy and occupational therapy students, and other allied health professionals.