Coping When Your Child Has Cerebral Palsy

Electronic book text

Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects one in every 400 children born in the UK, and in the US approximately 10,000 babies are diagnosed with CP each year. A slight increase in incidence is most probably due to the more sophisticated care of premature babies, which results in a greater survival rate. CP is a physical impairment that affects movement, and may be spastic (affecting muscles), athetoid (affecting posture) or ataxic (affecting balance.). This book gives information about CP and its effects, covering all stages of childhood from early years to adolescence. It offers practical help as well as input from parents, and examines a range of practical problems, from dental care and challenging behaviour to toileting and dribbling. Different kinds of therapy are also covered.