Cerebral palsy is a brain disorder that affects coordination of body movements and muscle tone. People with cereal palsy may have difficulty with everyday activities, such as walking or dressing, given that the condition affects muscle control. These difficulties can make adolescence very challenging for a teen with cerebral palsy.
Physical Health and Physical Changes
Teens with more severe physical limitations have more health concerns and more difficulty with everyday functions, as reported by a study in the March 2009 issue of "Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology" by Dr. Elsie Davis and her colleagues. Changes in height and weight can affect mobility and balance. Accepting physical limitations relates to a higher quality of life.
Pain
About 65 percent of teenage girls and 50 percent of teenage boys report having pain, according to a study in the Spring 2010 issue of "Pediatric Physical Therapy". The pain occurs most commonly felt in the feet, ankles, knees and lower back. Pain can interfere with everyday activities, such as walking and being able to focus on homework.
Social Well-Being
Being accepted by peers helps give teens with cerebral palsy a sense of belonging, according to the study by Dr. Elsie Davis. Teens with cerebral palsy may feel frustrated or discouraged by being ignored by peers or having awkward interactions with others. In comparison to teens without a disability, teens with cerebral palsy often become more isolated, less socially active and have fewer sexual relationships, as noted by a review of research in the December 2006 edition of "Clinical Rehabilitation." Barriers to social and sexual relationships among teens with cerebral palsy include physical limitations, negative social experiences and poor self-esteem.
Self-Esteem
Feeling good about oneself proves important to quality of life. Cerebral palsy can negatively impact the self-esteem of a teen, as the physical impairments may lead to feelings of frustration, anger and sadness. Teens with cerebral palsy may feel different from peers. Support for reaching attainable goals from others can help improve the self-esteem in a teen with cerebral palsy, according to a study in the November 2000 issue of "Qualitative Health Research".
Independence and Transition to Adulthood
Separating from parents remains a primary feature of adolescence. Getting more independence is important for teens with cerebral palsy, according to Dr. Elsie Davis' study. However, physical impairments may interfere with establishing and maintaining independence, which can cause feelings of frustration, anger, sadness and nervousness. Teens with cerebral palsy may become concerned about how the physical limitations will impact their ability to live away from their parents or find a romantic partner.
References
- "Clinical Rehabilitation"; Social and Sexual Relationships of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy: A Review; Diana, Wiegerink, Marij E Roebroeck, Mireille Donkervoort, Henk J Stam Peggy T Cohen-Kettenis; December 2006.
- "Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology"; Quality of Life of Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: Perspectives of Adolescents and Parents; Elise Davis, Amy Shelly, Elizabeth Waters, Andrew Mackinnon, Dinah Reddihough, Roslyn Boyd and H Kerr Graham; March 2009.
- "Pediatric Physical Therapy': The Prevalence, Distribution, and Effect of Pain Among Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy Samantha Doralp and Doreen Bartlett; Spring 2010.
