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The Child With Cerebral Palsy
The most often asked questions by parents whose child has been diagnosed with
cerebral palsy (CP) involves concern and anxiety about their child’s future. The
parent’s of children with CP face many challenges, including emotional and
physical demands. Like any parent, those of children with CP will find that
optimism blended with realism is the best approach to raising any child. With
support, assistance, extra time and accommodations, most children with cerebral
palsy can enjoy a full and active life. Welcome to Holland was written by Emily
Perl Kingsley to explain one parent’s perspective on having a disabled child.
Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormalities in the fetus’ developing brain, or
from injury sustained during the birthing process or soon after. Those with CP
are unable to control or move their muscles in the normal way and experience
effects that can range mild to moderate to severe. Mild CP may mean the child is
clumsy, while moderate CP may cause the child to walk with a limp. Severe CP can
impact all of the child’s abilities including learning, sensory problems, speech
difficulties, bladder and bowel trouble and eating problems. The severity level
of cerebral palsy is in correlation to the injury to the brain.
When an infant or young child is diagnosed with a disability, their family's
lives are forever changed. Meeting the challenges of a disability requires
families to draw upon their inner strength and the support of other family
members, grandparents, relatives, friends and co-workers. Equally important are
the support and services that the family and child receive from educational and
other social service agencies. There are mandated services for children with
disabilities from their birth to age 21 under the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA). IDEA was designed to enable children with disabilities to
become productive members of society by equipping them with educational and
social skills to help them reach their maximum potential. At specific milestones
in a child’s life, state agencies work with other professionals and the child’s
family to develop and implement an academic plan to help transition the child
into the mainstream.
Your Child Is The Same – Just Different
The brain’s ability to adapt to new ways of working after an injury is amazing.
Infants with cerebral palsy are often more slow to reach developmental
milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking and talking.
However, many of these children learn how to make their bodies work for them in
other ways. For instance, an infant unable to crawl due to CP may learn how to
move around by rolling from place to place.
For babies with CP, exercise is more challenging because of their limited
ability to move. However, exercise with the full range of motions is critical to
preventing contractures or joint limitations. Weight bearing exercises help to
decrease bone loss and sensory or motor input exercises contribute to the
development of the child’s cognitive skills. An exercise program can be
incorporated into a parent’s daily routine through activities such as diapering,
dressing and feeding. A child’s occupational and physical therapists can provide
a number of useful tips to engage your child in physical and cognitive exercise.
Parents should also incorporate outdoor activities into the exercise routine
since it becomes increasingly important to stimulate the child’s sensory system.
It also provides the parent with an opportunity to “stop and smell the roses”.
For older children, exercise often comes in the form of play. The touch and
movement associated with play are important to normal tactile (touch) and
vestibular (response to movement) systems. When engaging in any activity, it is
important for the parent to be cognizant of their child’s needs and limitations.
Some children with CP participate in formal physical fitness programs or gym
classes. Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology
all help a child to develop stronger muscles, as well as refine motor and
communications skills. In addition to therapy, special equipment and technology
is available to support the unique needs of a child with CP. Splints can help a
child move and use their hands, while braces support the child as the stand or
walk.
With early and continued treatment, CP’s effects can be managed and reduced.
Surgery, Botox injections and other medications can help to decrease the effects
of cerebral palsy and new medical treatments are being researched and developed.
There is also support available from physicians, therapists, psychologists,
educators, healthcare and social workers who are committed to working with
children with CP.
Cerebral palsy clearly presents hurdles to both the family and their child.
Particularly stressful milestones include the diagnosis and conflicting emotions
it brings, transitioning a child of school age into specialized education, and
adjusting to the social and physical turbulence of the adolescent years. As
parents age, they may face a new set of concerns regarding their child’s future.
However, with support, care and love, the family facing cerebral palsy has many
opportunities for happiness and success.
Your Legal Concerns
While most doctors, nurses, midwives, and
hospital technicians provide a high standard of care for their patients,
unfortunately, many families are harmed by medical mistakes. A physician may
have misread fetal monitoring equipment, failed to diagnose fetal distress
during labor, waited too long to perform a C Section, administered too much
Pitocin, or failed to act in a timely manner. Parents of a child suffering with
cerebral palsy should
contact an
experienced cerebral palsy lawyer to research the cause of their child’s
condition.
For a FREE Online Case Evaluation,
click here.
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