How to Teach A Child To Walk With Cerebral Palsy

A parent's joy is to see their child taking their first steps. A child with Cerebral Palsy may start differently than a child who doesn't have the birth defect

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Walker

Teach A Child To Walk With Cerebral Palsy

1. Stand the child up in the upright position with his or her toes pointing forward holding his or her hands either standing behind him or her or in front of you

2. Guide the child by talking to him or her to move the leg by picking up each leg at a time. Raising from toe to heel or heel to toe pushing upward so that the leg is off the floor and the knee is bent while either the left or right leg support the stands

3. If the child’s legs are too weak, kneel behind him or her, raise the foot gently upward and place back down on the floor. This movement will give the child an idea of how the feet and legs should operate

4. If the child’s legs are extremely weak, gently pick them up by placing your hands underneath the child’s under arm or waist. Bending at the knees, raise the child at a 90 degree angle without injuring the child

5. Once you have accomplished this task, place the child in a walker to have the child get a better control over his or her legs by placing each leg through the opening of the seat and gently bring the each leg left and right through the opening until the feet touch the floor

6. Stand at a short distance from the child and call to him or her. It will take a while for the child’s brain to register for him or her to actually pick up his or her foot to move. Wait five minutes before the child moves. If the child doesn’t move, demonstrate how to pick up each leg motioning the child to move his or her leg

7. If this doesn’t work for you at this time, try step three again using the walker. Some children with Cerebral Palsy, it takes a few years before walking

Who Can Help:

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[metzgerbusiness]

on 3/25/2009 All, If you have a child or grandchild with CP they may or may not walk depending on how severely they are impacted. This e-How comment is mindless. If you do have a child with CP or who shows symptoms of CP you should start Physical therapy immediately. There are many forms of help to get therapy if you can't afford it and early intervention is key to the success of the child. I have a 6 year old with CP who is successfully walking and participating in school. She is incredible. This is do mainly to her wonderful mother who insisted that the doctor send us to PT when my daughter was 6 months old. We didn't know she had CP but my wife knew there was something not right and insisted. This early intervention is part of what made my daughter successful.

[Cherst1031]

on 7/28/2008 Thanks for the ideas. My granddaughter has CP and is almost one and shows no signs of walking. I will try some of this to see if it helps, and it will be a pleasure to work with her :)