DOCUMENT

RESEARCH • The EDACS (Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System) Children and young people with Cerebral Palsy may have problems eating enough food to grow and stay healthy because it is challenging to move their mouths to eat and drink efficiently. This system measures the eating and drinking capacity of people with Cerebral Palsy in everyday settings, such as biting and swallowing or chewing. • The VFCS (Visual Function Classification System) Cerebral Palsy can affect the part of the brain that controls vision. The VFCS describes the visual abilities of a person with Cerebral Palsy in everyday settings, navigating different environments and reading. Here are some frequently asked questions from the Starship Child Health website www.starship. org.nz/guidelines/classification- systems-for-cerebral-palsy What do these levels mean for my child? As a parent or caregiver of a child with Cerebral Palsy, these classification systems can help you and your health professional plan for your child’s health and education needs, and the support that you and your child may benefit from in the future. Each of the systems use the same scale: Level I to Level V. A child classified at Level I will need less support and equipment. A child at Level IV or V may need more support and involvement from health and school services to help them with their daily activities. Who can I go to if I need more information or assistance? Talk to your Paediatrician and/ or your child’s therapy team to get more information. They can discuss your child’s particular classifications, what they might mean for your child and whānau, their subsequent needs, and proper management for their symptoms. Support and services are available for all types of Cerebral Palsy – these classification systems are only an initial guide. Where can I go for more information as an adult with Cerebral Palsy? Your GP and local Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) service are good places to start for assessing individual needs when it comes to Cerebral Palsy and its many symptoms and complications. It is important to remember that these classification systems are for diagnosis and treatment purposes only. It does not necessarily reflect a person’s quality of life. The more comprehensive and specific the understanding of Cerebral Palsy is, the easier it can be to ask for things that will address individual needs. People can live well wherever they measure on any of these scales. Cerebral Palsy is a vast galaxy that needs plenty of information to help us navigate it. SOME DISABILITIES LOOK LIKE THIS SOME LOOK LIKE THIS JAN–APR 2022 THE REVIEW | 17