How Can Parents Support a Child With Cerebral Palsy?

 Posted on July 15, 2021 in Cerebral Palsy

All expecting parents hope for a child who is healthy, but the reality is that many children are affected by chronic health conditions from birth or soon after. If your child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), whether due to a birth injury or complications during pregnancy or labor, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by your concerns for their health and your ability to provide for their needs. Caring for a child with CP is undoubtedly a demanding responsibility, but the following tips may help you manage it.

Educate Yourself About Your Child’s Condition

All cerebral palsy cases are related to brain damage early in the child’s life, but there are several different forms of CP that manifest themselves in different ways, potentially affecting a child’s balance, coordination, and muscle movements in different parts of the body. You can support your child by talking with their health care providers and doing your own research to better understand how the condition affects your child specifically. Increasing your understanding will help you better provide for your child’s needs and make informed decisions about their care and treatment.

Support Your Child’s Physical and Mental Development

With support, children who have CP can continue to develop mentally and physically throughout their lives and engage in many regular activities of childhood and young adulthood, including going to school, making friends, and pursuing their interests. As a parent, you can help your child’s physical development by guiding at-home physical therapy exercises and finding activities that allow them to stay active within their abilities. You can help your child’s mental development by working with their school to make sure their learning needs are met, encouraging social relationships with classmates, and providing emotional support yourself. 

Find Your Own Support System

Parents who feel supported themselves are often better able to support their children. You might consider reaching out to other parents of children with CP, either through online communities or local parenting groups, to find people who share your experiences and can offer advice. You may also benefit from meeting with a mental health therapist who can help you with tools to manage stress and anxiety. Financial support may be available through government programs and local and national organizations.

Contact Our Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

At Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd., we also offer support for parents of children with cerebral palsy and other serious health conditions. We can help you find the resources you need to give your child the best possible life, and we can also represent you in legal proceedings if your child’s condition is related to medical negligence. Call 312-462-4200 to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago, IL birth injury lawyer.

Source:

https://www.webmd.com/children/cerebral-palsy-parenting

https://www.verywellhealth.com/caring-for-people-with-cerebral-palsy-4144789

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cp-checklist-younger.html