Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy

Dravet syndrome is a serious form of epilepsy. Symptoms of this disease include

serious seizures accompanied by fevers that generally start in infancy. These seizures usually
do not respond to standard anticonvulsant therapies and can be triggered by stressful
situations and high body temperature. Symptoms such as ataxia (difficulty standing and
walking) as well as muscle tremors are also common.
Because the seizures start very early in life, developmental delays in speech and
movement are common in children with Dravet syndrome. Children with Dravet syndrome
may be slow in learning to speak; they may also show signs of aphasia (difficulty in
comprehending or producing speech) or agnosia (inability to interpret sensory information,
such as speech). Speech therapists can work with patients to develop language skills, starting
with children, ages 2 to 3. However, it is important not to put too much pressure on the
children, as stress can trigger seizures.
Physical therapists can help patients improve mobility and coordination through various
approaches, including stretching, exercise, and skills development. Several studies have
indicated that exercise can reduce the number and severity of seizures, in addition to reducing
stress and improving overall health and well-being.
The main focus of physical therapists in working with Dravet syndrome patients is to
improve their day-to-day balance, and their ability to walk and perform tasks. Helping a child
to be able to brush his or her own teeth or dress alone can do much to improve self-
confidence and life quality.
It’s important to development for children to be able to play and interact with their
peers. Physical activity can also reduce depression and anxiety by stabilizing signaling in the
brain, of importance to patients with epilepsy. Physical therapists can also assist parents and
caregivers in learning how best to help their child with play and everyday tasks.
Although studies have noted that more exercise can improve cognition in patients with
epilepsy, a concern is that exercise as a stressor may induce seizures. Working with a
physical therapist can help patients build physical strength and an ability to play with a
greater sense of safety and less risk of a stress trigger.
Question :

1. What are the Symptoms Of Dravet syndrome?

 2. They may also show signs of aphasia (difficulty in comprehending or producing
speech)... (Second Pharagraph, third Line)
What does “They” refer to?
3. How do Physiotherapist do to help patients improve mobility and coordination?
4. What is the main focus of physical therapists in working with Dravet syndrome
patients?
5. What maight happen if we working with a physical therapist ?

Answer :

1. There are serious seizures accompanied by fevers that generally start in infancy.
These seizures usually do not respond to standard anticonvulsant therapies and can be
triggered by stressful situations and high body temperature. Symptoms such
as ataxia (difficulty standing and walking) as well as muscle tremors are also
common.
2. They refers to Children with dravet syndrome.
3. They pysical therapists including stretching, exercise, and skills development to help
patients improve mobility and coordination.
4. It is to improve their day-to-day balance, and their ability to walk and perform tasks.
5. If working with a physical therapist we can help patients build physical strength and
an ability to play with a greater sense of safety and less risk of a stress trigger.