There are 3 types of cerebral palsy. These types are spastic cerebral palsy, athetoid cerebral palsy and ataxic cerebral palsy. When a child has spastic cerebral palsy, he or she has difficulty moving and experiences stiffness. Athetoid cerebral palsy causes a child to lose control over his or her own movements. And finally, a child with ataxic cerebral palsy does not have a normal sense of balance and perception of depth.
Researchers have found out how cerebral palsy can develop during pregnancy, at birth or after birth. However, why it develops is still unknown. A diagnosis of cerebral palsy in infants can be made very early on. Healthcare specialists are often able to diagnose cerebral palsy when there is a delay in normal developmental milestones in a child. This means not being able to do normal movements at a certain age. For instance, doctors and parents will often observe if a child is already reaching for toys at 4 months old or sitting up at 7 months old. Sometimes suspicious symptoms will appear only when the child is a toddler.
If a diagnosis has been made, you might want to prepare your child for later schooling as early as possible. Teachers can be of great help in providing safety for your child and guidance for success in school. However they do need knowledge on how they can aid your child.
First, you might want to discuss the environment in which your child will be in during school days. For instance, discuss the things in a classroom that might cause mobility issues for your child. Sometimes a simple rearrangement of classroom furnishings can be of great help. You can inform a teacher on how to inform other students about the special needs of your child. Also make certain that teachers are open to discuss any issues that may come up with you so that you are informed regularly. Furthermore, you might also want to search for a school that provides assisting technology for you child.
Cerebral palsy is something that can be easily treated and managed. It is not a progressive disorder and also not considered as life threatening. A lot of research has been done on cerebral palsy, and recently scientists and researchers have found possible ways to prevent cerebral palsy in infants.
The best recommendation out there is to have good nutrition and lots of prenatal care. Women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant should stay away from alcohol, smoking and drugs. These simple and basic steps to healthy childbirth are known to prevent cerebral palsy in infants. Other preventive steps you can take is preventing head injuries by using child safety equipment, treating jaundice in your newborn with phototherapy, recognizing potential Rh incompatibility if you are expecting and getting a vaccination for German measles before becoming pregnant.
Cerebral Palsy Therapy Tip #1
Get Help – Taking care of someone with cerebral palsy is a lot of hard work. Occasionally you have to take a break and spend some time alone. Ask family and friends for help and teach them how to do what you do so you can get away for a while.
Cerebral Palsy Therapy Tip #2
Stay Positive – Cerebral palsy is not a disease and will not get progressively worse. Accepting the condition for what it is and keeping a positive outlook will make life easier for you and the person you are caring for.