The Benefits of Therapy for Children With Cerebral Palsy

 Posted on August 03, 2021 in Cerebral Palsy

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) due to a birth defect or birth injury, they may face many challenges throughout their life, including impaired physical strength and coordination, limited communication abilities, mental health struggles, and difficulty completing tasks at school, at work, and in their day-to-day life. However, there are treatments available to help your child cope with these challenges, including various forms of therapy. As you search for ways to help and support your child, you should consider the benefits that therapy may offer.

Different Types of Therapy

Therapy gives your child the opportunity to work with specialists who can help them develop abilities and skills to address the different kinds of challenges they may face. Depending on the nature of your child’s condition, they may benefit from some or all of the following:

• Physical therapy - In physical therapy, your child can perform exercises to increase their general muscle strength and coordination, which may help them sit and hold their head up, stand and walk with assistance, and hold and lift objects.

• Occupational therapy - Occupational therapy can build on the results of physical therapy to help your child better perform specific tasks like getting around the house, eating, personal hygiene, completing school assignments, and preparing for independent employment.

• Speech therapy - CP often affects a child’s facial muscles, making it more difficult to speak and communicate clearly. Speech therapy can help a child improve their speaking abilities or learn to use other means of communication. 

• Mental health therapy - The limitations of cerebral palsy can sometimes take a toll on a child’s mental health. Your child may benefit from speaking with a mental health professional to develop healthy coping strategies for anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

• Recreational therapy - Creative forms of therapy like art therapy, music therapy, and horseback riding therapy can also be beneficial for a child’s mental and emotional health, and they may lead to a lifelong hobby that promotes growth and development and gives your child a creative outlet.

Contact a Chicago, IL Birth Injury Attorney

At the Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd., we understand how much therapy can help children with CP and their families, and we also know that these treatments can come at a significant financial cost. We are committed to helping parents find sources of financial support, including from government programs and charitable organizations, as well as compensation through an injury claim when a child’s condition is the result of medical negligence. To learn more about how we can help you and your child, contact our Illinois birth injury lawyers today at 312-462-4200 and schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Cerebral-Palsy-Information-Page

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cerebral-palsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354005