THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

There are various treatments available for cerebral palsy, here are some of the basic approaches used today to help the children who are suffering from cerebral palsy. The affects of cerebral palsy is different on different child, individual treatment programs vary widely. Most of the cases of cerebral palsy come from the movement problems; in this case most of the component o child’s treatment comes from the therapeutic exercise program.

Depending upon case to case, the professionals guide in a proper direction. Depending to this prospect, the therapist will diligently work with your child to improve his/her posture and movement. When a child is small, the therapist will give intense programs for treating cerebral palsy which gradually reduces as the age of the child increases.

The therapist work is not all that is required to treat cerebral palsy but you as the child’s parent or caretaker need to do some work over child’s movement skills at home. The therapist will guide you with certain special exercises and handling techniques. Researches are working hard to search for long term benefits that a therapy can provide. It is certain that a child who receives good treatment for cerebral palsy will have a better posture, good movement; he will have a good control over the bladder and is conscious enough to feed himself.

The therapy program for cerebral palsy can help these children to perform such activities which otherwise could not have been possible for them to do independently. Here are some of the therapies that are very effective for treating cerebral palsy.

Physical therapy is done to develop large muscles of the body like the muscles in legs, arms, and abdomen. A physical therapist helps the children with cerebral palsy to move, balance, walk, stand on his/her own, go up and down the stairs, kicking, running, throwing, learning to ride etc.

Occupational therapy is done for developing the small muscles of the body such as the muscles of hands, feet, face, fingers, and toes. An occupational therapist helps the children to learn daily living skills like dressing, eating, sitting properly on the wheelchair, writing, drawing, cutting with scissors, brushing their teeth on their own.

Speech or language therapy is done to develop better control over the jaw and mouth muscles. This is done to improve speech and language skills, eating ability, setting up good communication. Also the speech therapist develops a communication method for those children who do not speak through the use of sign language or some other communication aid.

Surgery is not always required for treating children with cerebral palsy but it is required to improve further the muscle development, correct contractures and to reduce spasticity in the legs. You should think twice before going for a surgery since surgery involves some risks in it. You should know its long term effects and postoperative follow ups before saying yes to a surgery.

Drug therapy prevents or controls all kinds of seizures. This therapy involves the use of drugs like Tegretol, Dilatin, and Phenobarbital. Drugs that reduce spasticity include Diazepam, Balloted and Dantrolene. Sensory integration therapy solves the problem of children to absorb and process sensory information.

Menu