Coping With Cerebral Palsy: Answers to Questions Parents Often Ask, 2nd ed.

Schleichkorn J. Austin, TX 78757, PROED, 1993, paperback, 231 pp, $24.

Coping With Cerebral Palsy. Answers to Questions Parents. Often Ask is intended as a reference guide for parents with children who give cerebral palsy. This is something that is. needed in our profession. In some parts of the book Schleichkorn has been successful, but in other parts he has fallen short of his goal.

The book is organized into sections that include a definition of cerebral palsy and its causes; a brief overview of normal growth and development; and descriptions of medical and surgical problems, professional services, psychological, social, and educational concerns, life experiences, research, technology, and legislation. The format is a series of questions, each followed by an answer or analysis of relevant information. The questions are arranged logically and are appropriate, for example, "How many children are born with cerebral palsy each year?" and "Did I personally do something to cause cerebral palsy in my child?"

The book's largest problem is presented in the first 40 pages, concerning the definition and causes of cerebral palsy. Much of this material is unclear or contradictory. Often questions are not directly addressed, but tangentially related information is given instead. For example, Schleichkorn answers the question, "How many children with cerebral palsy are born each year?" by giving some national and worldwide statistics on the incidence of cerebral palsy and then introducing unnecessary and contradictory information on the relationship of prematurity and cerebral palsy. The question "Is the infant who is born prematurely and placed in an incubator with the need for oxygen a sure candidate for brain damage?" is also asked. No definitive answer is given to this question, but rather a discussion of retrolental fibroplasia, which is not related to brain damage, is given. There are other less glaring, but poorly worded, responses scattered throughout this section. In addition, on page 33, there is a serious typographical error that indicates that Rh- babies (rather than Rh+ babies) born to Rh-mothers are at risk for developing hemolytic disease of the newborn. In summary, this entire section of the book is not something I would recommend to either parents or professionals.

The better parts of the book are the sections on professional services; psychological, social, and educational concerns; life experiences; research; and legislation. The author appears to be on more solid footing when describing treatment techniques, the availability of services, the rights of individuals with cerebral palsy under the law, and the problems that are faced by these individuals throughout their lives. The informational references are excellent. There are frank discussions about sexuality and marital expectations. Schleichkom's explanations about social security benefits and vocational rehabilitation services are easily understood and, linked with specific instructions regarding how to get more information, are very worthwhile. There is just enough information given about new research, technology, and legislation to allow people to explore further in their areas of interest. The references at the end of the text list books, videotapes, and association addresses, and a short glossary is included.

It is difficult to recommend this book because of the quality of the first part of the book. The information in the remainder of the book, however, is well written and badly needed in our professional libraries. Options are to recommend only parts of the book, or selectively provide parents with appropriate information from the book. One might almost want to ask the author to rewrite it and either improve or omit the first part.