Resources For Families Of Children With Cerebral Palsy- Selecting Providers

Here at Tyrone Law Firm, we do everything we can to help families who have children with special needs.  In fact we have dedicated members of our staff who have had to navigate a path for their own children. If you are a parent with a child with Cerebral Palsy or hypoxic brain injury, we hope these posts will bring you new resources for you, your child, and your family:

Hearing that your baby has suffered an injury during delivery is very scary and not something any new parent wants to hear. These babies do not come with a manual and parents are often left to figure out what comes next. This can be confusing and frustrating. Making sure that your baby has the proper care he or she may need is critical.

Cerebral Palsy is a lifelong condition that typically requires extensive medical treatment. CP is not correctable, so parents should look for the care that would best suit their baby and help them reach their personal capabilities. Treatment will also include minimizing discomfort, preventing and minimizing deformities, social interaction and later on, building self-esteem. A treatment plan can be reached by looking at your babies prenatal and birth history, how old your baby is, the severity of their diagnosis, how well your baby can handle treatment and therapy and their age. Your preference and opinion in their care is important.

Initially, your babies’ pediatrician will be your main contact and they can assist with referrals and finding other needed providers, such as neurologists and surgeons.  The extent of future problems cannot be seen or diagnosed right away, so isn’t until a baby starts missing or has a delay in milestones, that a more detailed diagnosis can be reached. Usually a formal diagnosis can be reached by a physical exam around 6-12 months.

Babies with Cerebral Palsy may have other medical issues that require medical attention, such as seizures or Epilepsy, vision, hearing, or speech problems, learning disabilities and behavior problems, intellectual disability, respiratory problems,  and bowel and/or bladder problems. Bone abnormalities, including scoliosis, are common as well.

When selecting a provider, it is important for you to feel comfortable asking questions about your babies care. No question is a stupid question, unless it isn’t asked. Online research can often give some guidance as to which providers would be best suited for your family, however, it is not always correct. You can usually call a provider and set up a consultation, which will give you the opportunity to form your own opinion. Do not overwhelm yourself with the thought of potentially needed providers. Start with a good pediatrician and build from there.

If you would like to know more about selecting providers, or other resources for your family, Tyrone Law Firm, is here to help. If our firm can ever help you or someone you know, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Tyrone Law Firm.