TTLC

As you may remember, I was volunteering at TTLC, a therapy centre for children with cerebral palsy. Last February, I had my doubts about the types of methodologies they used which are based on the Doman-Delacato philosophy of cross patterning, however I thought I would go with it for the time being and do my own research. I soon discovered that it is not evidence based practice, has been banned by some paediatric boards and was actually created in the 1960's and not reviewed! The more I read about it, the more my suspicions arose that this was not ethically sound practice and the more I saw at the centre, the more I felt very uncomfortable. 


The straw that broke the camel's back was the day I saw the staff workers neglect to engage with a 4 year old blind girl, except to administer the passive movement of her limbs on a table (the cross patterning), and to push her head first down a wooden slide on a river of talcum powder, in order to induce a "crawling reflex". She was so traumatised, she went from crying and screaming to completely shutting off. It was only when I rocked her in my arms for half an hour that she calmed down. I was torn between the opportunity of modelling care giving and contemporary practice to the Cambodian workers and taking a stronger stand by withdrawing my support altogether. 

Da and Ly play with the new alphabet puzzle I bought

Feeing Sophanna (the 4 year old girl mentioned in previous post) pumpkin soup from Veronica 

 It was numerous lengthy emails back and forth between myself and one of the TTLC directors in America that eventually confirmed my decision. I had been told that I has to do the cross patterning for 2 weeks and then I could very slowly introduce some new treatment techniques, but the Doman Delacato method had to stay. Despite arguing the lack of evidence, providing 6 control trials and articles and citing contemporary neuroscience, there was no room for leeway. It was a heart breaking decision for me as the children are simply gorgeous and I fear for their well being. However I know I couldn't remain in a situation that was going to compromise me professionally, ethically and not to mention psychologically! Thankfully, I have been able to drop in every now and then to check on the kids and have been delighted to see the malnourished children look stronger and healthier. 

Sophanna plays with gloop (corn flour and water) for the first time

Warning: The video below is a bit distressing, but I wanted to share what I witnessed.