ABSTRACT
Chanh is an 8-year-old girl who attends Southside Elementary School. She has spastic cerebral palsy in all four limbs, uses a wheelchair, requires a feeding tube, and takes Tegretol™ to control her seizures. Chanh's parents very much want her to work on communication with a communication board. However, when the communication specialist, Mrs. Malloy, evaluates Chanh, she determines that Chanh does not have enough head control or arm extension to work with a basic communication board. Chanh's mother, Mrs. Lu, is very troubled about how this can be accomplished and who would even be able to help her. Chanh's parents sit down with her multidisciplinary team and discuss each issue. Because Chanh does have active seizures, at times lasting more than a minute, safety is a very important concern. The first few weeks of implementing the program are difficult. Chanh's parents are thrilled with her progress, and after 4 months some of the symbols are successfully used at home.
