Cerebral palsy, or CP, is one of the most common disorders in children and affects muscle tone, movement and motor skills. According to KidsHealth, approximately 500,000 people of all ages have the condition in the United States. KidsHealth indicates that CP is usually caused by brain damage that occurs before or during birth or in the first five years of a child's life. Physical therapy includes activities that improve strength and mobility. A physical therapist asks questions in order to develop an appropriate physical therapy program.
About Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a common form of rehabilitation among children diagnosed with CP. The severity of CP varies greatly, which determines the type of program that will be developed. A physical therapist educates, works with your child on exercises that improve strength, flexibility and mobility and designs and orders needed equipment like splints, braces, a scooter or a wheelchair. Physical therapy can be completed in an office or hospital but is usually successful only when therapy continues at home. There are many new therapy techniques including water therapy, but each kind focuses on enhancing functionality.
Expectations
After answering your questions and providing information specific to your child -- like his long-term physical outlook and potential for disabilities -- the physical therapist will ask questions about specific therapy expectations, according to Maria D'Amore, a licensed physical therapist at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. For example, your physical therapist will ask about your specific goals for therapy -- such as whether your child is currently able to get from point A to B and your desires to increase his mobility -- and whether your child has had therapy in the past. This helps the therapist develop an appropriate program, based on your goals and the results of past rehabilitation programs.
Birth History
D'Amore said that the therapist will want to know about the child's birth history. For example, was the child premature? What kind of birth experience may have caused the cerebral palsy? The therapist will also want to know how CP was diagnosed. Did the child have diagnostic tests like an MRI or CT scan? These tests look at the brain and can allow a doctor to detect abnormalities and underdeveloped areas that help in a CP diagnosis.
General Health Information
D'Amore indicates that the therapist will also want to know specific information about the child's health history. For example, other health problems like vision and hearing impairment and osteoporosis may be associated with CP. In addition, the therapist will want to know any health problems the child had or has currently that may be related to prematurity or a difficult birth process, like lung disorders. Make sure you tell the therapist about all the medications your child is currently taking along with pertinent health information.
References
- KidsHealth; Cerebral Palsy; Steven J. Bachrach M.D.; April 2009
- Cerebral Palsy Source; Physical Therapy for Cerebral Palsy; 2005
- Maria D'Amore; Licensed Physical Therapist at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
