Technology can greatly enhance the lives of children with cerebral palsy by increasing their independence and opening up opportunities that would otherwise be closed to them. At JMW, our specialist cerebral palsy solicitors have helped the families of many children with cerebral palsy to bring cases for medical negligence, and one of the most common factors to consider when calculating compensation is the potential benefits these assistive technologies can provide.

To explain more, we spoke to Andy Fell, a disability and technology consultant at Steve Martin Associates, about the assistive technology that is available, what it can achieve for youngsters with cerebral palsy, and how it has changed over the years.

How can children with cerebral palsy benefit from assistive technology?

“Technology can assist children with cerebral palsy in many ways: communication can be enhanced with specialist voice-output devices; mobility made possible with wheelchairs employing specialist navigation aids; and computers can be made accessible with a whole variety of specialist input and control systems, ranging from simple switches to head-operated mice and eye-tracking technology. 

“One area of interest to children is the games machine: fully accessible and age-appropriate games provide opportunities for much-needed entertainment. Devices such as the Xbox and PlayStation are now more accessible than ever.

“Microsoft manufactures a special interface allowing simple switches to replicate the many functions found on a standard controller. This can be combined with adapted joysticks or an eye-tracking camera to speed up the user’s gameplay and enhance the experience. Alternatively, friends can work together, one using the joystick whilst the other uses switches to, for example, ‘fire!’”

What are some of the common forms of technology that you frequently recommend for children with cerebral palsy?

“From an early age, toddlers are switching lights on and off, interacting with devices like the radio, TV or smart speaker, or (probably under supervision) opening doors to access the garden. So often these actions are not available to a child with disabilities, denying them the learning experience and independence associated with such simple choices. 

“It is important to engender an attitude of ‘can do’ and independence in the mind of any young person, and technology that allows a disabled child to interact with their environment from a young age has to be made available. It might be as simple as controlling a bubble-blowing toy, turning the bedroom light on or off, or whizzing on the blender to make a smoothie; the important point is that it sets up a path to enablement. Ultimately, technology can allow a physically disabled person a very high level of control over their environment. The technology could use switches, head switches or eye gaze, or potentially voice, for those who have speech.

“Computer gaming is the area of most interest to children, perhaps. Think back to the days of board games, building blocks and toy cars - [these were often] wholly inaccessible to a child with a disability. But, with the development of computer games and consoles like the Xbox, gaming has become a screen-based activity. With adapted joysticks, special input systems and mounting systems, games like Monopoly, Roblox and Grand Theft Auto are accessible rivals to the traditional toys.”

How can assistive technology for children with cerebral palsy be funded? Is it generally only via a clinical negligence case?

“In our experience, the majority of funding is either via the charity route or through a clinical negligence or personal injury case.

“The vagaries of public funding are well known; even when a child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, it is not a guarantee the funds required to support their special needs will be available. At these times, it often falls to charities, or occasionally crowdfunding, to raise the money to purchase the required technology.

“Charities such as the Ace Centre, ARCOS, Everyone Can, the Janki Saye Foundation and The Sequal Trust will often be able to help with information, advice and, sometimes, funding. While a legal case is an option for some, there is not always a negligent party.”

What is the one piece of assistive technology that you believe could benefit most children with cerebral palsy?

“The needs of one child will not reflect the needs of another. However, in broad terms, we would suggest computer access is the single most important provision. It immediately gives access to education at the child’s developmental level and, if possible, encourages literacy and numeracy. 

“Later, it provides access to a wealth of entertainment, audiovisual content and communication tools - both face-to-face and over a video link or text-messaging service. 

“Moving into adult life, home shopping and banking services become available, and as more and more products and services are delivered electronically, a disabled individual will have equal access. 

“Providing access to a computer, iPad or mobile phone will be essential for everyone in the years ahead and whilst mobility, gaming, hydrotherapy and every other area of a child’s life are all important, within the realm of technology, access to a computer (or a derivative) will be essential if real independence is to be achieved.”

How has assistive technology for children with cerebral palsy changed over the years?

“Computers have gradually contributed to the lives of disabled individuals, all the way back to the days of the BBC Micro. The word processor alone meant that anyone who struggled to write by traditional means had the opportunity to create well-presented text.

“A switch-operated keyboard emulator (Elfin) allowed full control of the device from a single switch, and with the ever-growing range of switches (hand, head, pull, push, tongue, muscle, suck, and puff) the computer was made accessible to people with even the most severe physical disabilities. Word banks and predictive-typing utilities improved productivity, and then text-to-speech software enabled blind and partially sighted people to benefit from the technology as well. 

“In the 1980s, mechanical page turners were employed, providing access to books and magazines for people unable to flip the pages. Essential though they were, they were clunky, slow, noisy and ultimately unreliable. Each book had to be put in place by an able-bodied assistant and the device adjusted according to the size and depth of the reading material.

“Today, we access books, magazines, and newspapers electronically. Any number of books can be available at the same time and pages are navigated in any number of ways, to suit the needs of the individual - screen swipe, switch press, eye gaze or head-operated mouse, for example.”

What sort of assistive technology might be available in the future that is not on the market now?

“Who knows? Technology is such a fast-moving area!

“Already, we are reading research papers on neural interfaces. Elon Musk’s brain-implant company, Neuralink, has conducted the first human trial and shown how brain-computer interface (BCI) technology can transform the lives of patients with disabilities. Recently, the company concluded its trial, successfully helping a 30-year-old patient, paralysed from the neck down, to regain some autonomy through its implantable BCI device, although not without challenges, as the device faced issues after implantation.

“Perhaps there is also promise in self-navigating smart wheelchairs - a powered wheelchair that uses the same devices as autonomous cars. The technology might allow the user to point to where they wanted to go, and the chair would know how to get there autonomously. It would be controlled by an onboard computer, using LiDAR sensors to detect obstacles and stop.”

Many thanks to Andy for providing us with these insights. You can learn more about Andy here, or read about his work with Steve Martin Associates, the leading provider of assistive technology assessments for litigation in the UK.

You can also find out more about cerebral palsy and the resources available to support those living with the condition by visiting JMW’s Cerebral Palsy Hub, or taking a look at the following guides:

• Accommodation for Children with Cerebral Palsy - our guide to adapting living spaces to accommodate children with cerebral palsy
• Cerebral Palsy and Sport - information on how adapted sports can help to greatly improve quality of life for children with cerebral palsy
• Misconceptions of Cerebral Palsy - an interview with disability blogger Chloe Tear about the myths and realities of what people with cerebral palsy need to feel truly supported