Patient Care

By Lee Vander Loop, Editor CP Family Network When you read the words “Patient-Centered Care,” what comes to your mind? When I first encountered the phrase, I was confused. Shouldn’t all medicine be ‘patient-centered’ since it is about the patient, and if this is new, what was the approach before? CP Research Study Seeks Parents... Read More

By John Lehman Sometimes, depending on the severity of the disorder, children with cerebral palsy have difficulties feeding themselves. In these cases, a feeding tube may be necessary for your child to meet his or her dietary and nutritional requirements. Feeding tubes could also be used to allow your child an easier way to take... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor Some children with severe cerebral palsy have feeding disorders which require tube feeding. Children who are unable to fulfill their nutritional needs using traditional feeding methods, those with oral motor skill dysfunction or children at risk for aspiration are typically candidates for tube feeding. Often, doctors prescribe... Read More

Have you ever wondered whether the prescription your doctor has given you is really intended for you? It’s a very good question. Drug companies market their products to physicians, sometimes for conditions not mentioned on the drug’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved label. Physicians may not always know when the drug’s abilities have been overstated,... Read More

Many, if not most, treatment plans for children with CP are centered exclusively on the child. While a child’s interests must always be considered, the narrow focus of such plans can overlook crucial factors, like “living environment” and “family dynamic.” Read More

Technically speaking, adaptive seating is defined as “modifications to seating devices to improve sitting posture and/or postural control in mobility-impaired individuals.” In layman’s terms, this means your child may use a special desk or wheelchair that has been personalized to meet their needs. Read More

Although most often associated with aging, osteoporosis is a common complication of cerebral palsy, beginning in childhood. Although there is no cure, there are ways to prevent or minimize the effects of osteoporosis, or even improve bone health. The first important step in minimizing the effects of osteoporosis is diagnosis. Children with limited range of... Read More