Caring for a Child with Cerebral Palsy - What Every Parent Needs to Know

One of the worst fears parents have is finding out that their child has a serious, life-altering condition. Unfortunately, this fear is a reality for thousands of parents. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 278 children are diagnosed with a devastating condition, known as cerebral palsy. If your child has developed this disorder, there are some things you need to know about caring for a child with cerebral palsy.

A child with cerebral palsy can grow up to be a loving and emotionally mature adult, but as a parent, you need to take appropriate actions to help the process. Children with this disorder require long-term treatment and medical care so that they can reach their maximum potential. For example, your child’s body will need extra help with the development of coordination, which can be accomplished through physical therapy. Many children with cerebral palsy have trouble with speech, so it is crucial to hire a speech therapist to help your child while he or she is young.

Some of the other common medical treatment and items needed for children with cerebral palsy include daily living therapy, hearing therapy, vision therapy and medical devices, such as wheelchairs or voice communication enhancers.

In general, raising a child is expensive and when you add the extra costs of medical care and therapy associated with cerebral palsy, it can become a financial challenge. It has been estimated that it will cost three to four times as much to raise a child with special needs than to care for a child who is less challenged.

If your child developed cerebral palsy from a birth injury, you may be able to pursue compensation from the negligent doctor or hospital. For more information regarding Kentucky medical malpractice cases involving cerebral palsy and birth injuries, contact an experienced Louisville medical malpractice attorney at the law office of Gray and White Law today at (502) 637-6000 or (800) 637-6033.