Parenting a child with cerebral palsy can be challenging for the whole family. To face the challenge every day, you need to design a plan, organize, adapt to the likely environment and take inspiration. Needless to say, cerebral palsy children have special needs. Therefore it becomes crucial to pay special attention to them. Through regular attention, therapy and care is the key for their improvement. Parents in association with their child’s doctor can handle their child’s life pretty easily. Though as a parent, it is your responsibility to pay attention to certain aspects of their life. Here we have compiled a list of some factors through which you can assist them to do their best:

TAKING CARE OF THEM
Though there is a team of healthcare providers, pediatricians, therapists and caretaker available for your child. Doctors may suggest some treatments and keep observing the other treatments that your child receives. It is always wise anyday to keep informed about your child’s treatment. As a parent, this is your foremost duty. Many doctors appreciate the parents’ involvement in the treatment. You can also make health decisions, which therapies and treatment are working, and observe which are successful and which has setbacks.

BECOME YOUR CHILD’S HOME THERAPIST
Though there are therapists and doctors who conduct therapy sessions for your child, it doesn’t mean it ends there only. If you learn the way your child’s exercise, stretching his muscles etc. you can also help him to get relief and stretch out his muscles at home. If your child feels spam in his muscles, you can massage it and also learn some basic techniques so that he remains at ease.

HELP THEM TO REMAIN ACTIVE
Your child may not be able to participate in sports activities like other children but you can help him remain physically active to the best ability. Assist them to walk around, play and do activities as much as possible. You can also teach them new skills, so that they learn something new at home. According to a study, people who remain active have fewer health problems than people who have a sedentary lifestyle. So yes, remaining physically active is important for your child.

DIET
Balance and a healthy diet is essential to make muscles and bones stronger. It has been observed that children with cerebral palsy have weaker bones and find difficulties in walking. Your child’s doctor may recommend some medicines. It is crucial to include calcium rich foods in your child’s diet as they strengthen the bones.

GET TO KNOW OTHER PARENTS
You are likely to meet other parents whose children are facing the same issues as your child. You may meet them at school or at the doctor’s office. Moreover, on the internet there is a community of parents of children with cerebral palsy. Connecting with them would allow you to build friendships with them, getting to know about new doctors and medications. Moreover, your child will get new friends also. On tough days, other parents would guide you in dealing with these tough situations. So yes, it is a win win situation.