Rehabilitation Guideline for the Management of Children with Cerebral Palsy

The "Rehabilitation Guideline for the Management of Children with Cerebral Palsy" was developed by Humanity & Inclusion, a project funded by the USAID and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Vietnam. The guideline aims to provide rehabilitation specialists with the tools they need to properly support children with CP. The guideline is based on the latest available scientific evidence and internationally recognized best practices. It was developed in collaboration with international experts and Vietnamese specialists, ensuring contextualization and ownership of the guidelines. The guideline consists of two types of documents: General Rehabilitation Guidelines and Technical Guidelines. The General Guidelines provide wide-ranging recommendations on care provision and quality principles, while the Technical Guidelines provide more specific, detailed technical guidance for each type of care. The guideline emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation, involving professionals from various disciplines, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and medical and nursing care. The rehabilitation cycle is a key concept in the guideline, which involves a continuous process of assessment, goal setting, intervention, and evaluation. The guideline also highlights the importance of person-centered and family-centered care, which involves working with the child and their family to identify their needs and goals. Gender equality in health is also emphasized, recognizing the importance of involving both men and women in the rehabilitation process. The guideline provides detailed information on the diagnosis, assessment, prognosis, and goal setting for children with CP. It also discusses the management of the motor disorder, maximizing function and activity, and prescribing adaptive and assistive technology (AAT). The guideline is intended to support rehabilitation professionals in providing better and higher quality care to children with CP. The development of the guideline involved the participation of national experts and medical and rehabilitation professionals, who contributed to the development and review of the guidelines. The guideline is expected to be widely spread and support all rehabilitation actors in providing better and higher quality care to children with CP.