Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

When a child is diagnosed with a disabling condition, the whole family faces new challenges. Here are a few tips for caring for your child and yourself:

  • Foster your child's independence. Encourage any effort at independence, no matter how small. Just because you can do something faster or more easily doesn't mean you should.
  • Be an advocate for your child. You are an important part of your child's health care team. Don't be afraid to speak out on your child's behalf or to ask tough questions of your physicians, therapists and teachers.

  • Find support. A circle of support can make a big difference in helping you cope with cerebral palsy and its effects. As a parent, you may feel grief and guilt over your child's disability.

    Your doctor can help you locate support groups, organizations and counseling services in your community. Your child may benefit from family support programs, school programs and counseling.

Prevention Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Cerebral palsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/detail_cerebral_palsy.htm. Accessed May 8, 2013.
  2. Shelov SP, et al. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. 5th ed. New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books; 2009:1.
  3. Miller G. Epidemiology and etiology of cerebral palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 22, 2013.
  4. Miller G. Diagnosis and classification of cerebral palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 22, 2013.
  5. Miller G. Clinical features of cerebral palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 22, 2013.
  6. Rubella: Make sure your child gets vaccinated. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Rubella/. Accessed May 23, 2013.
  7. Chickenpox (varicella). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/overview.html. May 23, 2013.
  8. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and congenital CMV infection: Pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cmv/risk/preg-women.html. Accessed May 23, 2013.
  9. Parasites: Toxoplasmosis (toxoplasma infection). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/. Accessed May 23, 2013.
  10. Syphilis: CDC fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm. Accessed May 23, 2013.
  11. Meningitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html. Accessed May 23, 2013.
  12. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed May 24, 2013.
  13. Miller G. Management and prognosis of cerebral palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 22, 2013.
  14. Riggin EA. Decision Support System. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 23, 2013.
  15. Kotagal S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 24, 2013.
DS00302 Aug. 16, 2013

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger