Spastic Quadriplegia–Bilateral Cerebral Palsy

Spastic Quadriplegia breaks down the medical complexity of the condition into a clear, lifelong roadmap, combining world-class clinical expertise with lived experiences to empower all those involved from diagnosis to adulthood.

Whether you are an individual navigating your own care, a parent or family member supporting a loved one, or a healthcare professional looking for a broader perspective, this practical guide offers the expert-backed clarity needed to manage spina bifida with confidence.

“A comprehensive guide for families, health care professionals, and individuals living with this condition.”

—HANK CHAMBERS, MD, PARENT

 “Easy to read and understand … knowledge accessible to all.”

—CAROL SHRADER, PARENT

 “This book is more than informative; it’s transformative.”

—RACHEL BYRNE, BPT, BS

 “A compelling must-read.”

—IONA NOVAK, AM

Key features:

• Clinical excellence: Delivers detailed medical insights and best-practice evidence-based treatment options.
• Holistic perspective: Explores how spina bifida impacts development, participation, and overall quality of life.
• Lifelong focus: Provides tailored guidance that evolves alongside the needs of children, adolescents, and adults.
• Empowered outcomes: Equips families with the tools and confidence to partner effectively with healthcare teams for optimal long-term health.

The Gillette Children’s Healthcare Series distills medical complexity into clear, actionable roadmaps for childhood-acquired physical and neurological conditions. By bridging the gap between clinical research and daily reality, this definitive collection provides a vital guide for those living with a lifelong condition.

Whether you are an individual navigating your own health journey, a parent or family member supporting a loved one, or a healthcare professional seeking a broader multidisciplinary perspective, this series provides the expert-backed clarity needed to manage the condition with confidence.

Co-published by Mac Keith Press and Gillette Children’s Healthcare Press, the series is built on a foundation of collaborative expertise. Every book combines evidence-based, best-practice treatments led by medical specialists with the invaluable lived experiences of individuals and families.

You can now purchase the complete Gillette Children’s Healthcare Series bundle at a 30% discount via this link.

Other titles in the series include:

• Craniosynostosis
• Idiopathic Scoliosis
• Spastic Hemiplegia–Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
• Spastic Diplegia–Bilateral Cerebral Palsy, second edition
• Epilepsy
• Spina Bifida
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Scoliosis: Congenital, Neuromuscular, Syndromic, and Other Causes

Authors and Editors

Series Foreword

Series Introduction

1. Cerebral palsy
   • Introduction

1.2.        The nervous system

1.3.        Causes, risk factors, and prevalence

1.4.        Diagnosis

1.5.        Function

1.6.        Classification based on predominant motor type and topography

1.7.        Classification based on functional ability

1.8.        The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

Key points Chapter 1

2. Spastic Quadriplegia

2.1.        Introduction

2.2.        What does best practice look like?

2.3.        Overall management philosophy

2.4.        The brain injury

2.5.        Musculoskeletal system

Key points Chapter 2

3. General health

3.1.        Introduction

3.2.        Respiratory system

3.3.        Feeding, swallowing, and nutrition

3.4.        Digestive system

3.5.        Urinary system

3.6.        Epilepsy

3.7.        Sleep

3.8.        Pain

3.9.        Sensory system

Key points Chapter 3

4. Developmental progress and maximizing function

4.1.        Introduction

4.2.        Therapies

With Susan Ellerbusch Toavs, Candice Johnson and Amy Schulz

4.3.        The home program

With Candice Johnson, Amy Schulz and Annabelle Vaage

4.4.        Assistive technology

With Susan Ellerbusch Toavs, Candice Johnson, Kaitlin Lewis, Kathryn Pimentel and Amy                        Schulz

Key points Chapter 4

5. Managing musculoskeletal health – Orthopedic care

5.1.        Introduction

5.2.        Tone reduction

5.3.        Musculoskeletal surveillance

With Tom F. Novacheck, Ann Van Heest

5.4.        Orthopedic surgery

With Tom F. Novacheck, Ann Van Heest

Key points Chapter 5

6. Increasing participation

6.1.        Introduction

6.2.        Cognition and intelligence

With Richard DiPrima and Susan Ellerbusch Toavs

6.3.        Mental and behavioral health

6.4.        Puberty

With Candice Johnson

6.5.        Community integration

Key points Chapter 6

7. Alternative and complementary treatments

8. Transition to adulthood

With Tori Bahr

9. Adulthood
   • Introduction
   • Aging in the typical population
   • Aging with spastic quadriplegia
   • Management and treatment of spastic quadriplegia in adulthood

With Jill Gettings

Key points Chapter 9

10. Living with spastic quadriplegia

11. Further reading and research

With Elizabeth R. Boyer

Acknowledgments

Appendices (online)

Appendix 1.       Measurement tools

Appendix 2.       Bones, joints, muscles, and movements

Appendix 3.       Epilepsy management

Appendix 4.       Scoliosis management

Glossary

References

Index