EDUCATION AND VOCATION
While the child is relearning mobility and self care skills, he or she must also begin to resume school work.
| Common Spasticity Medications | ||
| MEDICATION | SITE OF ACTION | SIDE EFFECTS |
| Baclofen (Lioresal) | Spinal cord-GABA receptor agonist | Sedation, nausea, seizures (especially with rapid withdrawal) |
| Diazepam (Valium) | Brain | Sedation, potential for substance abuse |
| Dantrolene Dantrium) | Muscle | Liver dysfunction, weakness |
| Tizanidine (Zanaflex) | Spinal cord | Sedation, nausea |
| Clonidine (Catapres) | Spinal cord | Hypotension (less with transdermal than oral), dry mouth, constipation |
| Gabapentin (Neurontin) | Central | Gastrointestinal |
| Botulinum toxin (Botox) | Local muscle | Weakness |
| Source: GABA, γ-aminobutyric acid. | ||
Adaptations necessary in the school environment need to be addressed, including architectural barriers, attitudinal barriers, and how to function with different physical skills. The child may need new ways to access computers for school or something as simple as two sets of schoolbooks—one for home and one in each classroom—to ease the physical challenges of returning to school.
School staff and students need to be educated about SCIs to the extent the child and family wish this to be done. Often, it is helpful for several members of the rehabilitation team to visit the school to discuss spinal cord injury and present a video of the child engaged in some common activities. If this can be a question-and-answer session for the other students and school staff, many misconceptions can be eliminated and school reentry eased.
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