Updates

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

By Lee Vander Loop Some children with cerebral palsy require physical therapy. Some don’t. Once the diagnosis is made, and the type of cerebral palsy is determined, a team of health care professionals will work to identify specific impairments and needs, and then develop an appropriate plan to address the core disabilities that affect the... Read More

By Stacey Bucklin CP Family Network Editor View similar stories. Placental abruption is the separation, either partially or completely, of the placenta from the uterine wall before delivery. Although this condition is relatively rare, occurring in 1 out of every 100 pregnancies, the premature detachment of the placenta can have serious health consequences for a... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor Years ago, before the invention of augmentive communication devices, children who displayed an inability to communicate were assumed to suffer from severe developmental disabilities and treated as such. Imagine the heartache and frustration of a child with sound cognitive abilities or mild to moderate learning disabilities trapped... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop For many children with cerebral palsy, communication is a struggle. Some may have a limited ability to learn and understand speech due to cognitive impairment. Others may have difficulty speaking clearly because of poor control over their tongues, lips, and mouths because of motor control issues. Although children vary in language... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor Occupational therapy (OT) and rehabilitation deals primarily with the many muscles responsible for wrist, hand, and finger movements, muscles involved in facial expressions, and tongue movement and swallowing reflexes. Occupational therapists are trained in the rehabilitation of these muscle groups to help patients acquire or improve daily... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop In spring, parents start thinking about recreational activities for their children. The disabilities community is no different. Medical research and personal experience show that people with disabilities benefit greatly when they participate in community recreation programs and settings. Following is information about the importance of physical activity for children and adults... Read More

By Drew Dillard The causes of cerebral palsy (CP) are both many and unknown, and no two people diagnosed with CP endure identical situations. However, at one point or another, nearly all people with cerebral palsy will face emotional and psychological challenges regarding the limitations CP has placed upon them. Let’s explore the types of... Read More

By John Lehman Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) refers to a group of treatments that make use of electrical current to stimulate nerve endings, with the aim of reverting damage to the patient’s nervous system. Children suffering from cerebral palsy often have issues with movement and muscle spasticity, and EMS has proven to be effective at... Read More