How does cerebral palsy affect the family

They provide homeownership assistance and rental help. In emergencies, HUD provides disaster relief, emergency assistance, and foreclosure counseling. Energy assistance and weatherization plans may also apply. Charity groups and disability advocacy groups will often help by building ramps to ensure a child has easy access to his or her home.

Family members, particularly those that work in the skilled trades electrical, heating and cooling, construction, and plumbing may donate their talents — they might be able to remove unneeded doors and obstructions that make life cumbersome. Also, consider other uses for rooms. A first floor room may be transformed into a bedroom until the parents can afford to have a lift installed along the stairway.

Relationships allow us to explore all of the facets of giving and receiving love, from the patient and protective concern shown between a parent and child to the fire and chemistry that happens between friends, mates and spouses. And the level of ability has nothing to with the level of love one is willing to give to or receive from another. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Any information you provide will only be used in accordance with our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.

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Internal mini form Contact Us Today Call Terms and Conditions. Plan well, employ teamwork, make time for one another and anticipate trouble For families that include children with disabilities, external pressures have the potential to disrupt the family unit. The Fix: Of all the issues that special needs families face, this one is the most vexing. For more information on available government assistance, call MyChild at and ask for Kit No. Marriage In the best of circumstances, marriage requires effort and commitment.

The Fix: A strategy that works well for couples is to make sure that no matter what happens during the day, they each set aside 20 minutes of bonding time to re-connect, express feelings, and talk about the issues that seem to be driving a wedge in the relationship. Fix: If a family cannot sell their home and move into another dwelling, they may try to work with what they have. Learn More. Rather than waiting for specific challenges to arise, families can benefit from sitting down and discussing what role each person can play in supporting a child with cerebral palsy, as well as parents, siblings, and other caregivers.

Some of these responsibilities might include providing transportation, helping with homework, picking up medication, babysitting, doing household chores, and providing financial or emotional support. This type of planning can help prevent one caregiver from taking on too much and experiencing additional stress on their physical and mental health. When a child feels more connected to extended family, they are certain to benefit from these wonderful human resources.

Caring for a child with special needs can be an isolating experience, so reaching out for support, whether from extended family or community organizations, is essential. Parents and caregivers can also benefit from individual counseling or therapy to build tools for coping with stress and to encourage their own personal sense of resilience. When families work together, they are better prepared to support a child with cerebral palsy.

If you have a child with cerebral palsy, what steps can you take today to make sure everyone feels included, heard, and supported in your family?

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Research in Developmental Disabilities. February Lach LM, Kohen D, et al. Disability and Rehabilitation. July 7, Early Child Development and Care. January 25, January 14, Whittingham K, Wee D, et al.

November 20, American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. November Higginson J, Matthewson M. Related Papers:. Disabil Health J 2: 45— Dev Med Child Neurol 59— Disabil Rehabil — Eur J Phys Rehabil Med — J Neurosci Rural Pract 4: J Neurosci Rural Pract 7: — J Adv Nurs — Child Care Health Dev 63— Dev Med Child Neurol — Pediatr Rehabil 4: 83— Child Care Health Dev — Niger J Paediatr — South Afr J Child Health 2. J Clin Diagn Res 16— BMC Res Notes