How to Use Behavioral Therapy to Treat Cerebral Palsy

People of all ages and abilities become frustrated when faced with skills they are unable to master or activities in which they are unable to participate. The same is true for people who have cerebral palsy (CP). The specific triggers for frustration or anger experienced by those with CP may be different from those of the able-bodied, but the feelings are the same. Parents and counselors can use behavioral therapy to try to treat these feelings of inadequacy and to promote self-esteem.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Rewards
• Adaptive play equipment
• Behavioral management plan
• Psychologist
• Communication board or other aids

Use Behavioral Therapy to Treat Cerebral Palsy

1. Develop a consistent behavioral management plan to use with your child when inappropriate behaviors are exhibited. This could mean giving a time-out or taking away a special toy.
2. Use a reward system to provide motivation to your child for showing appropriate behavior. Try a sticker chart or a non-edible treat, such as toys or music CDs, as a motivator.
3. Praise your child for good behavior rather than dwelling solely on negative actions. This will help your child develop feelings of self-worth.
4. Learn to recognize what external triggers lead to undesirable behavior in your child, and remove her from those situations. Many children with CP become over stimulated in a crowded, noisy environment, which can lead to meltdowns. Find a quiet place to take a break.
5. Re-evaluate your family's communication methods if your child seems to be unusually frustrated by the inability to express himself. Perhaps purchasing a communication board that allows the user to type out his thoughts or point to words can help.
6. Adapt classic games creatively to fit your child's level of ability if she is acting out because she cannot join in with friends or other family members. Borrow extra wheelchairs or crutches if your child uses them so that you can hold relay races or play basketball from the same vantage point. Taking these measures can help eliminate the jealousy that can often lead to problem behaviors.
7. Get your child into therapy with a behavioral specialist if you have tried other options and problem behaviors still exist. A professional therapist can help your child sort through his feelings, become better at communicating his wishes and feel better about himself.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that for people who have cerebral palsy, there will be behaviors that they can control as well as those that they cannot. As a parent, work first on the issues you know your child can more easily change, such as hitting his siblings, rather than the ones he cannot, such as wetting the bed. As you begin to replace some negative behaviors with positive ones, you can start to address issues that are more difficult.