Cerebral Palsy In Infants |
Cerebral palsy is considered one of the most widespread
congenital childhood disorders. To this date, there are around 500,000 adults
and children in the US who are living with the condition. So how does cerebral
palsy in infants develop? Why does it occur as early as when the baby is still
in the womb? This article will talk about cerebral palsy in infants, how you can
prepare your child for school and how to prevent cerebral palsy if you're
planning to get pregnant.
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. |
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