Imagine a world where you have big dreams and aspirations, but your body doesn’t always cooperate. This can be the reality for the nearly 1 million people who live with cerebral palsy in the United States. Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, muscle tone and coordination. It’s caused by damage to the developing brain, which can happen before birth, during birth or even in the first few years of life.
Treatment vs. rehabilitation: Understanding the difference
While there’s no cure for cerebral palsy, there are ways to help manage it and to live a fulfilling life. It’s important to understand the difference between “treatment” and “rehabilitation” for cerebral palsy:
- Treatment — Broad strategies like medications to manage muscle stiffness or surgery to correct bone deformities
- Rehabilitation — Focuses on helping people with cerebral palsy learn or relearn skills to maximize independence and improve their quality of life
Rehabilitation is a lifelong journey for improved independence
Unlike a broken bone that can heal with time, cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition. However, the good news is that medical rehab can be a powerful tool throughout a person’s life. Rehabilitation can help individuals with cerebral palsy adapt and overcome challenges. Here’s a glimpse into how rehab can help empower people with cerebral palsy at different stages of life:
- Infancy and early childhood — Early intervention is critical during infancy and early childhood, an important time for brain development. Early intervention programs can focus on stimulating the brain through techniques like play-based therapy. Therapists work on building strength, improving coordination and facilitating communication skills. These early interventions can have a significant impact on a child’s development and future potential.
- Childhood and adolescence — As children with cerebral palsy grow, their needs will evolve. A rehabilitation program’s focus will shift to helping promote independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), like dressing, bathing and self-care. Therapists may also work on improving motor skills, spasticity management, speech and language development, including introduction of communication devices when appropriate, and social interaction, which may include adaptive gaming. These skills can help empower children to participate actively in school, engage in play to maximize interaction with friends, and build confidence.
- Adulthood — Adults with cerebral palsy can continue to benefit from rehabilitation. Therapists can help adults manage their condition, maintain or improve existing skills, and learn new skills. Rehab may involve using assistive technologies, such as wheelchairs or walkers, computer adaptations, communication devices, tools to access social media, managing pain, and adaptive equipment for employment or independent living.
- Senior years — As we age, it’s natural to experience some decline in physical abilities. For seniors with cerebral palsy, this might be an increase in muscle stiffness or balance problems. Rehab can play a crucial role in helping seniors with cerebral palsy maintain their independence and manage ADLs. Therapists can focus on strategies that can help prevent falls, promote strength and flexibility through adapted exercise programs, and adapt routines to help ensure continued well-being.
A team approach to success
Rehabilitation for cerebral palsy involves a team effort. Treatment and rehab can work hand in hand to help boost a person’s quality of life. Here are some key players on the rehab side of the team who work together to create a personalized plan for each individual living with cerebral palsy:
- Physical therapist — A physical therapist can help a person with cerebral palsy build strength, improve coordination and increase mobility. These skills can be improved through targeted exercises, proper positioning and other therapeutic techniques.
- Occupational therapist — An occupational therapist can help by focusing on activities of daily living like dressing, bathing and using adaptive equipment to promote independence in everyday tasks.
- Speech and language pathologist — A speech and language pathologist can help a person with cerebral palsy work on communication skills, including speaking, understanding and swallowing. They can also help them learn alternative communication methods if needed.
- Social worker — A social worker can provide emotional support, connect individuals with resources like disability benefits and support groups, and help them navigate the complicated healthcare system.
- Neuropsychologist — Living with a disability can be hard on a person’s mental health. A neuropsychologist can help address any emotional or mental health challenges a person living with cerebral palsy may experience, such as anxiety, depression or difficulty adjusting to limitations. A therapist can provide individual counseling or support groups to help individuals manage these challenges and live a more fulfilling life.
- Employment specialists — Employment can provide a feeling of purpose and value. Employment specialists help explore interests, identify strengths that can be used on a job, include other team members as needed for adaptation, assist in creating a resume and provide job interview coaching toward the goal of securing a job. If additional support is needed to learn a job, job coaching can be provided to maximize success on the job.
These are just a few of the professionals who can help people living with cerebral palsy. Their unique needs and concerns will determine the team built to support them in their treatment and rehabilitation.
Living a life full of possibilities with cerebral palsy
Living with cerebral palsy can present obstacles, but it doesn’t have to limit a person’s potential. Rehabilitation can play a vital role in their journey. By focusing on improving function, promoting independence, and addressing the emotional and social aspects of cerebral palsy, rehab can help empower individuals to:
- Establish personal and professional life goals
- Enjoy friends and engage in social activities as desired
- Access and interact within their community
Ultimately, the goal of rehab is to help empower people with cerebral palsy to live a life that’s meaningful. Whether it’s pursuing education, starting a family or contributing to their community, rehab can help them achieve their goals and live life on their terms.
Taking the first step with Ability KC to manage cerebral palsy and maximize independence
If you or someone you love has cerebral palsy, remember that you’re not alone. Ability KC has over 75 years of experience helping people with disabilities and their families to change and shape their lives to reach their greatest potential. We have a wealth of resources available to help support you or your loved one on your journey. By embracing rehabilitation and its benefits, you can unlock a world of possibilities and live a life filled with independence, purpose and achievement. From early childhood to the golden senior years, we can help you address your specific needs and goals for living a fulfilling life with cerebral palsy.
Ability KC is a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) with a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.