Brainpalsy.com – Helping Parents Combat Cerebral Palsy

The fifth of our series of ten articles on cerebral palsy (CP) outlines some strategies that can be used to manage the effects CP has on a person’s life. CP has no known cure, and as such the use of the word “management” is considered more appropriate than “treatment”. Effective management strategies can minimise the adverse impact CP can have on daily life, and enable one to lead an independent life.

At this point it is useful to differentiate between the terms “disability” and “handicap”. Disability describes a loss or reduced ability to perform a function, while a handicap describes a context or situation where the effect of disability is evident. For example, a person who has a condition of hearing loss is said to have a disability; if the person is having a conversation with another person, then the disability of hearing loss is causing a handicap, which can be managed by introducing a hearing aid. However, if the same person is alone typing on the keyboard, the condition of hearing loss (disability) does not interfere with the activity; there is no handicap in this context.

There is a range of therapies available for people with CP. In physical therapy of physiotherapy, people with CP learn exercises that they can undertake on a daily basis, as well as correct positioning techniques, walking with walkers, braces or getting about in a wheelchair. Additionally, swimming, especially in warm water, is also a useful tool that helps spastic muscles to relax. Besides physical therapy, occupational therapy also enables people with CP to undertake daily essential life skills such as feeding, seating and going to the bathroom, with or without external aids.

Speech therapy aims at assist people with CP to communicate more effectively. Classes are conducted to help people with CP mouth and articulate words more easily, both face to face, and other the telephone. For people with CP who require a non-verbal communication system, alternatives such as eye-gaze systems and electronic voice synthesizers are available. Music therapy is useful in helping people with CP who may have neurological, mental or behavioral disorders maintain a calm and stable state.

Along with therapy sessions, some people with CP may require customised equipment such as orthotics, casts or splints. These help to provide stability, keep joints in position, and stretch muscles. The next article will go into more depth on what types of adaptive equipment are available.

In other cases, medication may sometimes be prescribed for conditions associated with CP such as seizures and spasticity. These can be done orally or through injections, and have relatively short term effects compared to surgery. For instance, orthopaedic and soft-tissue surgery can help to counter the damaging effects of spasticity on the spine, hips and legs. Particularly in the case of children, operations can be done to lengthen or transfer tendons, or when the child has reached full growth, even reposition and stabilise bones, so that the child can move more easily. Neurosurgery that involves surgery on the nerve roots in the spine can control muscle tone and reduce spasticity. Understandably these are more invasive management options, but may have more long-lasting effects.

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the number of options and professionals that can be involved with the life of someone with CP. Beyond these, management alternatives, time spent with to bond with one’s parents or caregivers can be an important factor in helping one to cope with the physical, as well as emotional challenges of living with CP. What matters is that the mix of available options enables a person with CP to progress effectively through childhood and adolescence, and ultimately to adulthood as a contributing member of society.

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