How to Set Realistic Goals for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Early treatment and a variety of therapies have helped many children with cerebral palsy live productive and relatively normal lives. When planning goals for your child, take into consideration the severity of the cerebral palsy and any of the accompanying disorders common to children with CP, such as seizure disorders, varying degrees of mental retardation, and learning, speech and vision disabilities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Discuss your child's progress with her professional team. Ask questions. What do they think is feasible for your child's long-term goals? Why? Where should therapy go from here? What should be a main focus?
2. Make your own decisions. You don't always have to agree with the doctor, and in many ways you are more attuned to your own child. Get second opinions. Someone else may be aware of a new therapy or treatment that your own doctor doesn't know about.
3. Try to view your child objectively. Just like everyone else in this world, there will always be things that she will be unable to accomplish.
4. Focus on the end result. For example, your child may have problems communicating because she doesn't speak. Instead of focusing solely on speech, investigate different ways of getting your child to communicate, such as computers. Speech may come at some point, but in the interim, this will help your child to communicate.
5. Break large goals into small steps. Then work at it step by step. For example, shoes with Velcro instead of laces may enable your child to put on her own shoes. It's one small step toward dressing herself.
6. Ask your child what things she would like to do, if she is capable of telling you. Find out what is important to her.
7. Avoid comparing your child with others who have similar disabilities. Everyone progresses at their own pace. Your child also may have more severe challenges.
8. Keep up with new medical trends, but carefully weigh the pros and cons. A new drug, for example, may have great promise, but may also cause side effects.
9. Avoid overdoing it. You may be anxious for your child to make progress, but too much therapy and treatment may have the opposite effect. Find a pace that works for the whole family.
10. Be an advocate for your child. Talk to her teacher; keep close tabs on her progress. Make suggestions.
11. Accept the fact that cerebral palsy is a lifelong disorder. At the present time, it cannot be cured. Treatment options are designed to improve but not to cure.
12. Avoid getting discouraged. Celebrate small miracles.

Tips & Warnings

• It is estimated that cerebral palsy affects about 3 of every 1,000 births, and is one of the most common causes of chronic childhood disability.
• Remember that you are not alone in caring for a child with CP. Enlist the help of support groups and advocate organizations, which can help you make difficult decisions about treatments and goals for your child.
• Accept the fact that your child has a disability. You are working toward improving the quality of her life, not making her perfect.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.