How to Care for Children With Cerebral Palsy

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By kmphillips73
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Caring for children with cerebral palsy is both difficult and very rewarding. You need to be your child's biggest advocate and make certain they get the best care and support available. There are as many different abilities as there are symptoms in a child with cerebral palsy, so it is impossible to sum it all up in one article. I will touch on some important tips and also include resources to aid you in your search of how to care for children with cerebral palsy.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Learning as much as you can about cerebral palsy will better enable you to help your child. Be sure to read all the information you can, take notes and highlight anything that is specific to your child.

Be sure to keep updated on research and findings and discuss them with your child's doctor. Science is making progress every day with new ways to help those with cerebral palsy and you want to stay informed.
Step 2

Building a relationship with a doctor that is extremely knowledgeable of cerebral palsy, that you trust and can call on if needed any time of day or night is a must. Keep the lines of communication open with your child's primary physician to make sure your child receives the best possible care. If you are not comfortable with a doctor for any reason, you need to start searching for different options and don't ever be afraid to ask for a second opinion.
Step 3

Finding the best therapeutic assistance available is imperative to providing care for children with cerebral palsy. Be certain they receive speech, physical and occupational therapy that is designed for their specific needs.

They will also benefit from hearing and vision specialists, adequate and proper medication for controlling seizures and any other problems. Surgeries that can help them with their mobility and overall quality of life are important to look into as well.
Step 4

Creating a system for support is essential. Ask your doctor about local groups and organizations for families of children with cerebral palsy or disabilities in general. Search the internet not only for information but for chat groups, forums and blogs for, about and by parents of children with cerebral palsy.
Step 5

Taking time out for yourself will leave you better capable to care for a child with cerebral palsy. Maintain friendships and enjoy private time with your partner. Also, be sure to make special, one on one time for your other children. You can find a trustworthy babysitter through your physician or your network of friends who have children with disabilities.

Don't feel guilty about taking time away from caring for your child. You can't expect to take the best possible care of them when you're stressed and falling apart. Be good to yourself, you deserve it and they deserve to have a happy, fulfilled caregiver.

Comments

westernmom said

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on 4/16/2009 My oldest daughter has cerebral palsy and is now a high school teacher with 3 degree's, even though they said she would never walk or talk! Thanks for sharing some wonderful information. Very well written. 5*

harvard said

on 4/8/2009 How to Care for Children with Cerebal Palsy; the title screams compassion. Mitestarossa says this applies for other disabilities . I concur. Yes, science is catching up. They've targeted a date for setting back MS which is a major breakthrough. Thank you.