Cerebral Palsy May Require Treatment and Care for the Rest of a Baby’s Life
Children with cerebral palsy may have difficulty with every aspect of their daily lives, including walking, talking, moving, eating, socializing, and more. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but there are a number of treatments and care programs that can help people live more full and engaging lives with fewer limitations from their condition. Because they still have their entire lives ahead of them, these considerations are an especially important part of planning for the care of infants with newly diagnosed cerebral palsy. Although parents may have a difficult time adjusting to all the changes, getting a baby care for cerebral palsy as soon as possible can give the child the best chance to cope with the life-long effects.
Cerebral Palsy Treatments and a Child’s Ongoing Needs Throughout Life
Each child affected by cerebral palsy will have unique challenges, so individualized care is key at each stage of life. From measures to increase mobility to therapy for increasing self-esteem and confidence, multiple therapies from a large care team may be necessary. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are a number of potential treatments that can help children with cerebral palsy throughout their lives. Depending on the child’s needs as he or she matures, these might include:
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Pain management
- Use of assistive devices
- Help with eating, grooming, and other activities of daily living
- Social and recreational therapies
- Oral medication
- Surgeries
- Other specialized treatments
The goals of treatment throughout the child’s life are focused on managing difficulties, preventing further issues, increasing mobility, reducing pain, and building a better quality of life. However, while these kinds of treatments can have a priceless benefit for an affected child, the financial strain of treating cerebral palsy over a child’s lifetime can quickly overwhelm a family. This is why parents need to take action when they learn about their child’s diagnosis. Learn more about the steps parents should take after learning about a birth injury.
Getting Help With the Costs of Treating Cerebral Palsy Due to a Medical Mistake at Birth
When medical negligence causes a serious and costly condition like cerebral palsy in a newborn child, the child’s family may have the right to hold the doctors, nurses, or hospital financially responsible for what happened. However, many families are unaware that they have rights—or even that their child’s condition may have been preventable. If you believe your child may have developed cerebral palsy because of a doctor’s mistake, don’t wait any longer to start investigating your questions. You can reach our experienced legal team at 312-332-1400 to schedule a free case review, or you can use the live chat on this page to speak with someone right away.