Jennifer Rodriguez
United Spinal Association

The following research reports were presented at the 2005 Conference of the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers (AASCIPSW) and focus on research results covering developmental issues affecting children with spinal cord injury (SCI).

The first of the two presentations is Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury: Effects on Child Development and the Family, presented by Barry Nierenberg, PhD, ABPP, of the University of Miami School of Medicine. It focussed on the interplay between child development and pediatric/adolescent SCI, with the objectives of increasing awareness of developmental issues in pediatric SCI, effects on the family, and implications of rehabilitation treatment.

This presentation demonstrated how SCI impact is partially dependent upon the developmental stage of the child and how it can bring up very different issues depending on what the child was dealing with prior to injury. In addition, Nierenberg discussed how a child’s SCI affects family dynamics, depending on the developmental stage of the family, as well as ways in which children cope with newly acquired SCIs.

Another session titled School Reintegration of Children and Adolescents Post Spinal Cord Injury, presented by Terrie Price of the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City, focussed on the challenges faced by children and adolescents returning to school after acquiring an SCI, including environmental barriers, potential academic needs, psychological issues, and transportation problems. The presentation also discussed typical issues confronting the rehabilitation team assisting parents in returning their children to school after injury. Additional objectives of the presentation were to enable the attendee to gain a better understanding of the rehabilitation challenges in transferring therapy to school-based therapists, the special considerations necessary for children and adolescents with SCI, and the psychosocial issues facing children and adolescents returning to school.

Psychosocial health care of persons with SCI is a specialized field encompassing many components. Psychologists and social workers specializing in this population have long recognized the need for ongoing professional exchange and training, to the ultimate benefit of the individual with SCI. AASCIPSW was formed in 1986 to fulfill this function.

The annual conference was sponsored by the New York City-based United Spinal Association. Founded in 1946, the association is dedicated to enhancing the lives of all individuals with spinal cord injury or disease by ensuring quality health care, promoting research, advocating for civil rights and independence, educating the public about these issues, and enlisting its help to achieve these fundamental goals. For more information, visit www.unitedspinal.org.