Dr. Teresa Plummer, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, recently presented at the annual conference of the Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA) held this year in Nashville.   Dr. Plummer shared her expertise in a presentation on handling and positioning children with Batten disease and assistive technology products for children with the disease.

Batten disease affects children from birth and causes mental impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of sight and motor skills over time.  Eventually, the child becomes blind, bedridden and unable to communicate, and the disease is always fatal.  Although Batten disease and related disorders are considered rare, they often strike more than one person in families that carry the defective gene.

BDSRA was formed in 1987 by a family who had three children with the disease.  The association provides technical assistance and support to families who battle the disease while promoting research and education.