Rehabilitation of people with special needs and physical therapy have an important role in providing care and support for individuals, as they are part of the continuous efforts to improve the daily lives of these people and enable them to participate fully in society, and physiotherapy is one of the appropriate methods in the rehabilitation of people with special needs, as it aims to improve movement, muscle strength, balance, relieve pain and improve daily motor functions.

What is qualification?

Rehabilitation is the development of individuals with special needs, whether physically, psychologically or mentally, with the aim of enabling them to contribute to society and this effort includes the provision of medical care, psychological support, and social rehabilitation with the aim of improving their quality of life and achieving independence in daily life.

Rehabilitation of people with special needs

It is a set of interventions designed to improve the functioning of individuals with health conditions in interaction with their environment and the definition of special needs includes physical, emotional, intellectual and sensory disabilities and the meaning of special needs can also include impairments in communication, behavior, care, social interaction, and cognition.

Classification of categories of people with special needs

Understanding the classification of groups of people with special needs helps in identifying individual needs and providing them with appropriate support, and contributes to creating an inclusive and equal environment that allows them to participate effectively in society and fully achieve their potential.

Physical disability:

Cerebral palsy: affects muscle movement and coordination as a result of damage to the brain.

Limb loss: It relates to the partial or complete loss of a limb, which affects mobility.

Mental disability:

Mental retardation: It consists of a delay in mental development and mental function.

Autism: A disorder that affects social communication and social interaction.

Hearing Impairment:

Hearing loss: It can be partial or complete and affects the ability to understand speech and communicate.

Visual Impairment:

Vision loss: Includes partial or complete vision loss, requiring the use of aids such as a white cane.

Emotional and social disability:

Conduct disorders: such as anger or anxiety disorders that affect emotions and social interaction.

Learning disorders: such as learning difficulties or low academic achievement.

Neurophysical disability:

Down syndrome: A genetic disorder that causes delays in physical and mental development.

Physical-motor disability:

Movement deficit: such as cerebral palsy, which affects the ability to control movement and balance.

Neurological disability:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A neurological condition that affects movement and balance.

Regardless of physical, mental or sensory abilities by promoting awareness and understanding of all situations, an inclusive and supportive environment can be created that allows them to participate to their full potential in society.

Types of injuries for people with special needs

Understanding and appreciating people with special needs is important to ensure their needs are met in the community and types of special needs can be divided into main groups, where each type requires a different set of care and support.

Motor disability is divided into five types and includes:

First: Cases of cerebral palsy:

It is caused by a disability of the nervous system in the brain area, which leads to paralysis that can affect only the four limbs or lower limbs, or affect one side of the body. This paralysis causes a loss of the ability to control voluntary movements.

Second: Deteriorating muscular dystrophy disease:

It begins with injury to the voluntary muscles in the four limbs and then moves to infect the rest of the involuntary muscles.

Third: Cases of incision in the vertebrae of the spine:

They cause injury to vital cells in the spinal cord when they are severely injured, completely or partially disrupting their basic functions.

Fourth: Various congenital malformations:

They occur as a result of congenital gene abnormalities or other non-genetic causes, and usually affect joints or bones and may be a lack of limb growth or a strange bone warp.

Fifth: Other cases with different diagnoses:

These include polio, osteoporosis, endocrine disorders, spinal cord disease, chronic peripheral nerve disease, and other chronic diseases affecting blood vessels.

Mental disability

It is defined as a condition characterized by stunted or incomplete mental development, which causes disruption in life skills and appears during the developmental stages. This disorder primarily affects the level of general intelligence, including cognitive, linguistic, motor and social abilities. It can occur with or without the presence of other mental or physical disorders.

One of the most famous is Down syndrome, a congenital condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in somatic cells, and its likelihood increases with the age of the mother.

Physical Special Needs

• Some children may have various physical disabilities, such as congenital malformations, epilepsy, spinal cord paralysis, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy.
• Physical access is a major concern for these children, as they may face difficulties moving from one place to another due to the use of wheelchairs, crutches, or other aids.
• Children with physical disabilities may have a special educational need
• It is important to understand that the degree of physical disability is not necessarily determined by the ability to adapt to the environment, but rather depends on the personal, social and educational factors available to them.

Related todevelopmental or developmental special needs

• Developmental disability is a variety of conditions that are associated with mental or physical developmental difficulties that occur before puberty.
• Developmental disability causes many challenges in specific areas of life, especially in language, movement, learning and personal autonomy in life.
• Developmental disability can be detected early and persists throughout an individual’s life and developmental disability that affects all aspects of a child’s development is sometimes referred to as a delay in overall development.
• Common developmental disabilities include Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and learning and reading disabilities.

Behavioral/Emotional Special Needs

• Behavioral and emotional disorders are sometimes called severe affective disorder and are considered as a classification of disabilities used in an educational context.
• These classifications allow educational institutions to provide support and special services to children who face social vulnerability, including disorders such as bipolar disorder and defiant disorder.

People with special needs from the elderly

Caring for the elderly includes meeting the special needs and requirements of those people who have reached old age.

Elderly care focuses on meeting the social and personal needs of those individuals who need some help with daily activities and health care, but want to live with dignity and enjoy life in old age.

Severe accidental injuriesFor people with special needs

This group includes accident injuries such as: traffic accidents, genetic disorders inherited from one of the parents, or some diseases that affect the mother during pregnancy.

Complications from some diseases as a result of neglect of treatment, such as:

• Diseases related to muscles and arthritis.
• Heart disease and stroke.
• Diseases of the nervous system.
• Aging.
• Unknown reasons.

Some types of disabilities resulting from chronic diseases can be prevented through:

1.  Follow a healthy lifestyle: Individuals should follow a healthy lifestyle that includes eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.
2.  Periodic follow-up with a specialist doctor: Individuals with chronic diseases must adhere to periodic follow-up with specialized doctors to control the disease and prevent the condition from worsening
3.  Commitment to taking medications: Patients receiving medication for their chronic diseases should ensure regular intake of medications prescribed by the doctor, in order to maintain stability of health and avoid complications

As such preventive measures, individuals can reduce the risk of chronic diseases and thus reduce the likelihood of disability resulting from them.

Stages of the rehabilitation process for people with special needs

The rehabilitation process for people with special needs includes several successive stages aimed at enhancing their abilities and improving their quality of life. These stages include:

First Evaluation Sham

• The qualification process begins with a comprehensive assessment of the individual’s current needs, abilities and skills.
• It includes medical evaluation to determine the degree of disability, as well as specialized assessments of life, social and psychological challenges.

Second, setting the goal and designing the plan:

• Based on the assessment, specific and measurable goals are set for the qualification process.
• A customized plan is designed to ensure that the individual’s needs are met and their abilities and skills are enhanced.

III. Training and therapeutic intervention

• This stage involves the delivery of specialized therapies and motor, language or behavioral exercises according to the established plan.
• The training also includes providing psychosocial support to the individual and his family.

Fourth: Periodic follow-up and evaluation

• The progress of the individual is monitored during the qualification process and the achievement of the goals set is evaluated.
• The plan is adjusted if necessary based on periodic assessments and developments in the individual’s condition.

The stages of the rehabilitation process for people with special needs require coordination and cooperation between a variety of specialists and parents to ensure comprehensive and appropriate support for the individual and his family.

Common challenges faced by children with special needs

Children with special needs face a unique set of challenges in their daily lives. These challenges can vary greatly depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some of the common obstacles they face include:

•   Motor skills development: difficulty acquiring and refining motor skills, such as crawling or walking, or fine motor skills such as grasping objects
• Balance and coordination: Many children with special needs struggle to maintain balance and coordinate movements.
•  Muscle weakness: Weak muscles can hinder their ability to perform even basic activities.
• Pain relief: Some conditions may cause discomfort or pain, which can affect their daily lives and sleep.
•  Communication difficulties: Speech and language disabilities can affect their ability to express their needs and desires.

The role of physiotherapy to rehabilitate children with special needs

Motor skills techniques

• Motor skills therapy focuses on improving the child’s motor abilities, such as balance, coordination, strength and movement, as physical therapists use different techniques to stimulate and develop these skills, for example, they may participate in guided exercises and activities that target specific muscle groups and encourage movement patterns.
• These exercises may include gentle stretching, range exercises, balance exercises, and strengthening exercises Motor skills therapy helps children build the foundation for crawling, sitting, standing, and walking, enabling them to explore their skills

Developmental exercises and techniques

• Developmental exercises and techniques are essential components of physical therapy for children with developmental delays as these exercises are designed to address specific developmental areas, including cognitive, fine motor, gross motor and social skills.
• Play-based activities, interactive games, sensory stimulation are used and these exercises aim to improve hand-eye coordination, object manipulation, grasping, reach, and other basic skills.
• Through repetitive and structured activities, children develop cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills and social interactions, enhancing their overall growth and development.

Sensory integration techniques

Using sensory integration techniques helps children process and respond to sensory stimuli appropriately and sensory integration activities may include exposure to different sounds and movements to help children develop appropriate responses to sensory input.

Mobility Facilitation Technologies

Movement facilitation techniques focus on facilitating natural movement patterns and posture control This approach uses specific processing techniques and strategies to encourage optimal motor development and improve overall function.

How can physical therapy help empower children with special needs?

Early intervention is the solution when it comes to physiotherapy for children with special needs, as early intervention can lead to:

• Progress in treatment faster: Starting treatment at an early age often leads to faster results in terms of developing skills and improving job performance.
• Prevent secondary complications: Treating problems early can prevent or reduce the risk of secondary complications associated with certain conditions.
• Improved quality of life: Children who receive physiotherapy early tend to have a higher quality of life and greater independence.
• Parental guidance: They receive guidance and support from a physiotherapist in understanding and assisting their child’s development.

Why should I see a physiotherapist?

Physical therapists work with people of all ages and abilities and their caregivers in helping people with disabilities acquire or maintain jobs, and develop or improve mobility and social skills.

• Improve and maintain mobility and muscle strength.
• Relieve pain and prevent chronic conditions or prevent them from getting worse.
• Injury recovery and prevention.
• Participate in physical activities or sports.
• Learn new ways to do everyday tasks.

The main benefits of physiotherapy for people with special needs:

Physical therapy is one of the tools that help improve the health and motor status of people with special needs Physiotherapy aims to enhance movement and improve physical and motor functions, through various techniques, among these benefits:

1. Improve motor skills, coordination and muscle strength: Customized interventions are designed to improve these areas, essentially assisting in physical development while combating specific difficulties related to different conditions.
2. Increased independence in daily activities: As strength and coordination improve, those undergoing treatment often find that they are able to complete daily tasks with less help. This contributes to a sense of independence and independence.
3. Promote balance and flexibility: Regular treatment can help promote better balance and flexibility, thereby reducing the risk of injuries and physical discomfort.
4. Supportive and encouraging environment: Physiotherapy sessions provide a space where individuals can socialize, interact with others, and build trust. This, in turn, can have a positive impact on emotional health and self-esteem.
5. Personal and holistic approach: The nature of physical therapy ensures that the unique needs and abilities of each individual are taken into account, making it a highly personalized form of care. This promotes not only physical health, but also overall development and functional capabilities.
6. Preventive care: Regular physical therapy helps individuals better manage their condition. It can contribute to slowing the progression of the condition and even preventing secondary complications.

Home Physiotherapy for People of Determination

In the field of home care, we recognize the challenges that families of children and adults with special needs may face, especially when it comes to accessing medical services. Therefore, we provide a home physiotherapy service dedicated to people with special needs, our goal is to facilitate and provide appropriate health care for families.

Through our home visit service at Physic, we give families the opportunity to access medical care from the comfort and convenience of their homes, ensuring that patients receive the specialized care they need.

• Providing special home visits for people with special needs in all medical specialties.
• Our primary goal is to make healthcare more accessible and family-friendly, while providing medical care.
• Our team is made up of highly skilled specialists with experience in dealing with children with special needs.
• During the home visit, the medical condition will be assessed and a personalized treatment plan will be developed to meet the needs of patients.
• We strive to provide the best care with the right guidance for families.

Occupational Therapy Program at Fizik Center for Rehabilitation of People with Special Needs

Occupational therapy plays an important role in the lives of people with special needs as it helps them live independent and full lives, and improve their quality of life.

It is characterized by providing comprehensive services aimed at improving the quality of life of patients, and the essence of the treatment plan is to provide integrated programs that target several aspects to achieve the best results

In addition to providing therapeutic services in the sensory integration clinic, the treatment programs at the center revolve. About the treatment of sensory, functional, distraction and behavioral problems. In addition to focusing on academic problems that children may face

The program is implemented using distinctive learning methods and the development of necessary skills. To enable children to int egrate into society and participate in social activities efficiently, and to achieve ease in the learning process.

The best physiotherapy center for the rehabilitation of people with special needs in Egypt

Fizik Center is considered one of the best physiotherapy and rehabilitation centers in Egypt. It is characterized by providing specialized services for the rehabilitation of people with special needs, and what distinguishes the Physique Center:

 Specialized medical team: Fizik Center has a qualified medical team specialized in the field of physiotherapy and rehabilitation of people with special needs. The team consists of physiotherapists specialized in dealing with different cases of people of determination.

 Customized Programs: Fizik Centeroffers customized rehabilitation programs. Meet the needs of each individual based on their health condition and individual abilities Programs are carefully designed to improve patients’ mobility, flexibility, balance and strength.

Modern equipment and equipment: Physique Center has the latest modern and advanced equipment. Advanced techniques such as therapy are used, guided therapeutic exercises, gait training, balance and motor control.

 Home Therapy Sessions: Physique Center provides home treatment services for people with special needs. The medical team makes home visits to patients and provides care and treatment in a comfortable environment.

Comprehensive Care: Physique Center is concerned with providing comprehensive care for people with special needs and includes. That guidance, providing psychological support and continuous follow-up of progress in the rehabilitation journey

Physique Center is the best destination for the rehabilitation of people with special needs in Egypt through the comprehensive and specialized care necessary to improve the quality of life of people with special needs and enhance their rehabilitation process.