Habiliteringsopphold i varmt klima for barn med Cerebral Parese – Foreldre og barnas opplevelse av deltakelse og mestring

The article describes the results from a case-control study investigating the effect of a habilitation program in warm climate involving 60 children with Cerebral Palsy aged six to 18. The study was performed during the spring 2003 and 2004 as part of a project, initiated and funded by the Norwegian Social and Health Department with the aim to investigate physical and social effects of habilitation in a warm climate. The purpose of this article is to describe social participation and coping before and after participation. Registrations of mental health and self-esteem were performed before and after the program and at three and six weeks after finishing the program. The outcome measures were the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Youth Self-Report (YSR) og Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA). At the end of the program we performed group interviews with the parents. After finishing the program, a significant reduction in behaviour and emotional problems among the children and the parents were registered, and the childrens competence in school and self-perception was improved. The result shows that the majority of children experienced improved self-coping, gained new friends and meeting families with disabled children had a positive effect. The change in all areas was maintained at three and six weeks after the program, and the results from the group interview and the questionnaires were coherent. The study showed that in the discussion about best practice in habilitation of children with CP, a focus on participation and coping is highly relevant.