Brainpalsy.com – Helping Parents Combat Cerebral Palsy

The type of treatment available for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy varies depending upon the type and severity of the condition with which they have been diagnosed. There are four main types:

1. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, which affects coordination of movement. It usually affects all four limbs and the trunk. In addition, ataxic cerebral palsy is characterized by poor or low muscle tone.

2. Spastic Cerebral Palsy, which affects the muscles in that they become active together and block effective movement. This causes the muscles in spastic cerebral palsy children to be constantly tense.

3. Athetoid Cerebral Palsy which is marked by slow, involuntary muscle movement The slow movements associated with athetoid cerebral palsy usually affect the hands, feet, arms, or legs.

4. Mixed Cerebral Palsy which usually has both the tight muscle tone of spastic cerebral palsy and the involuntary movements of athetoid cerebral palsy.

Each type of the disorder elicits different symptoms. One of the most common symptoms of those with spastic cerebral palsy is stiffening and contracting of the muscles, which can lead to weakness of the limbs and sometimes even paralysis. It is important to try and alleviate these symptoms as much as possible to prevent further deterioration. Other common symptoms with all types of cerebral palsy include difficulty with movement, learning difficulties, and seizures, together with hearing and sight problems.

Some children born with CP will require 24 hour care for their lifetime while others will have only mild symptoms and may not require any specialist care at all. Each child diagnosed with CP will need to be individually assessed.

Many of those born with cerebral palsy will require some degree of care and support throughout their lifetime.

It will usually be necessary to involve a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to discuss an individuals needs and requirements. A structured plan can then be put into place to ensure that the child receives the appropriate care and treatment for their individual needs. While the medical care and treatment is obviously of paramount importance so as to ensure that the child can thrive and develop according to their own abilities; it is also vitally important that family members are also involved in the decision making process.

More often than not it will be the child’s parents who will be the primary carers and providers of treatment therefore their input is essential.

No two children are the same therefore individual treatment programs will vary. However, there are certain types of therapy and treatment that will usually be required Most children with CP will experience movement and control of movement problems. A physical exercise program is therefore likely to be one of the main components of any treatment plan.

Specialists likely to be involved in the treatment program will include:

- Physical Therapists: to construct a special exercise program tailored to the individual child to help improve limb movement and to strengthen the muscles.

- Orthopedics: to assist with muscle, tendon and bone related issues.

- Speech and Language Therapist: to assist in developing the child’s communication skills.

- Occupational Therapist: to assist in teaching the child life skills at different stages in their life and development.

- Social Worker: to ensure that the family receives any additional support and assistance they require from the wider community.

- Psychologist: to assist with any psychological issues not only in relation to the child but also to help the family as a whole to cope with the additional demands and pressure of caring for a child with cerebral palsy.

The child’s needs and requirements will change as he grows and develops and at different stages it may be necessary to receive more assistance from certain areas of therapy than others.

In the early years it is likely that the child will need to see his physical therapists frequently, perhaps as often as twice a week. In addition to carrying out exercises with the therapists it will also be necessary to continue with the child’s exercise programme at home. The therapists will construct an exercise program, which can be carried out at home and will show you how to perform the required exercises. Most children commence this treatment during the second half of their first year of life but the age of the child when they start treatment can vary depending upon how quickly their needs and requirements can be properly assessed.

Children who receive a well-structured program of therapy will develop better postures and stronger muscles. They are also likely to have fewer movement limitations. As well as the physical benefits of therapy there are immeasurable psychological benefits. It is generally agreed that therapy programs enhance the lives of children with cerebral palsy.

If you believe that your child has CP and that it may be as a result of a medical error or negligence it may be possible to claim compensation. Compensation will not resolve the medical issues but it may ease the financial burden by providing the money to pay for necessary therapy, equipment and specialist medical treatment.

Are you simply living with Cerebral Palsy, or did you already learn to live with Cerebral Palsy? Although it may seem like a small play on words, there is a big difference, if you stop to think about it. Consider the real-life case study examples for a better understanding. Of course, the names have been changed to protect the innocent or the not so innocent, whichever the case may be.

Case 1:

Renee has what most consider a moderate case of cerebral palsy. Although she can walk unaided on unobstructed surfaces, she used forearm crutches to ambulate outside the home. She speaks well and can write, even though her hands are obviously impaired by CP.

However, Renee has had one big problem. Her elderly parents wanted to make living with cerebral palsy easier, so they basically wait on her hand and foot. She does not even go to the kitchen to get a snack. Her parents are a personal delivery service.

After graduating high school, Renee has tried to attend a small religious community college. Surely these people are going to be kind and helpful. In truth, the college did invest in a new wheelchair, so Renee did not have to try and walk between classes. But, Renee was not grateful! It was not electric!

Students and faculty try hard to accommodate Renee and help her with the daily activities she has trouble doing on her own. But, unlike her parents, her new friends expect Renee to exercise her capabilities and do more for herself.

At last contact, Renee has returned home embittered and angry. She has gone back to her personal delivery service. Renee may be living with cerebral palsy, but she never has taken the opportunity to learn to live with CP.

Case 2:

Tom is a boy with severe cerebral palsy. He cannot walk, talk, or dress himself. He has difficulty swallowing, and often drools. Because of poorly developed lungs, Tom is not expected to live past his 20s.

But, for the people who have taken the time to get to know Tom, it is very obvious his mom has made sure he was able to learn to live with cerebral Palsy. He loves Tacos and Pizza. He may not be able to swallow well, and it may be a messy adventure, but he loves every bite.

Tom cannot speak. Doctors have told his mom that Tom is also severely mentally disabled. His mom is his champion. Refusing to believe another negative prognosis, Tom learns to sign basic needs with one mangled hand. He can tell his mom when he is hungry, thirsty, and more. His eyes sparkle and he tries to laugh when someone tells a joke. He likes to have someone wrestle with him on the floor. He smiles all the time.

Last seen, Tom is standing! After constant physical therapy and a specially designed walker, he is standing on his own two feet. He grins from ear to ear! His mom says he has finally received a computerized speaking computer that he can manipulate with one finger to talk. Now, he can tell her how much she is loved.

You Decide

Living with cerebral palsy is one thing, but, if you really learn to live with cerebral palsy, it is quite another. Neither is easy, but one is definitely more rewarding.

In order to properly diagnose cerebral palsy (CP) there needs to be a series of tests run.  The tests consist of many physical and neurological tests.  A child is usually diagnosed at an early stage because the symptoms become more evident then.  For example, delays in a child’s development and problems moving are the first signs that are connected to cerebral palsy.  These can be recognized within the first couple years after birth.  If your child if experiencing developmental delays or other abnormal symptoms you need to take your child to see a medical specialist to be evaluated.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

CP is a group of disorders affecting a person’s movements.  What actually causes brain damage is unknown however CP is caused by damage to the brain.  In some situations brain damage can occur during labor and delivery.  This is called medical malpractice.

Every year thousands of babies and children get diagnosed with CP.  In some of these cases, the condition could have been prevented if proper procedures were followed.

How is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?

Diagnosing CP requires a series of tests performed by a doctor.  The following tests listed are used to make a diagnosis:

Reflex tests – Plantar, Moro Reflex, and rooting flexes are tests given to diagnose CP.  For instance, infants experience the Moro Reflex (a kind of reflex) when they are startled, however if the reflexes persist into early childhood they need to be taken for these tests. 

Hand preference test – After one year of age a child normally will favor one hand over the other however if you child is showing hand preference before age one it can be a symptom of cerebral palsy.  In cases where children have hemiplegia, one side of the body is stronger.

Computed tomography, CT scan – CT scans are used to take images of the brain. Doctors can determine any lack of development or damage to the brain.

Electroencephalography, EEG – With this test doctors can identify the presence of any seizures.  Seizures are common in cerebral palsy.

Magnetic resonance imaging, MRI – MRI scans are given to test any abnormalities in the brain. 

Other tests may be given depending on your child’s symptoms.  A physical exam will be given and the tone of their muscles will be looked at and other developmental delays along with their medical history all will be considered.

After a Diagnosis

If your child has received a CP diagnosis and it is possible the injury occurred during or after birth you should take your case to a medical malpractice attorney.  They will evaluate your case for free and if they determine the cause of your child’s condition was medical neglect they will then advise you of your legal rights.