CEREBRAL PALSY question?

my friend just found out that her 14 MONTH old son

has cerebral palsy. The Dr. told her to have him

do occupational therapy & to get a special seat

to help him sit up since he can't sit up on his own.

Does the occuptional therapy help the muscle

control problem ? Thanks

The OT and possible some PT will definitely help with muscle control, strength and flexibility. They will prescribe a daily routine that the family can do to further help with muscle control and development.

Absolutely, my husband is a Physical Therapist and my sister in law's an Occupational Therapist. It is even best if your friend would also seek the help of a PT because a PT can help individualize the muscle strengthening and an OT can help tailorfit the need of the child functionally since OT's are skilled for gross movement and improvising devices and equipment that could help speed up recovery of the patient. The earlier your friend does this, the better becuase chances are still high for FULL recovery, sadly some parents fail to do this until its too late. As the child grows the muscles stiffen and since the body has been used to such state, therapy can only help minimally, or hardly help at all.

Yes, all the early intervention programmes will help in so many things. Encourage your friend to keep working with the therapists to get the best possible outcome for her child. BUT IT IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF A CURE!

And generally, maintaining physical therapy throughout his life will likely be necessary especially if the CP is severe.

I am not questioning the qualifications of Fashionista's husband or her sister-in-law, but I am dubious about her statement about "full recovery" CP is caused by damage to the brain (usually due to lack of oxygen) and its effect is permanent.CP is not a disease. There is NO CURE. While the effect of CP is permanent, early intervention can assist to minimise the effect as the person grows. Depending on which part of the brain is affected, some part of the body will be more severely affected than others.