Mild Cerebral Palsy
What Mild Cerebral Palsy Involves
The symptoms of mild cerebral palsy differ from person to person. Therapy has been shown to be helpful in treating the condition. The condition usually does not worsen. The brain injury, which occurred and triggered cerebral palsy, formed the subsequent symptoms for life. Some people can be left completely incapacitated when they have a severe case of cerebral palsy. People who suffer from a mild case will only require some specialized care.
Mild Cerebral Palsy Photo by cia de foto via Flickr
The symptoms of cerebral palsy in a mild case would be easier to control or manage. Symptoms of cerebral palsy are less apparent with the mild cases. Children can be diagnosed late with the disorder. Some people would think the children will just outgrow their problems but with the cerebral palsy cases, they can sometimes reflect the same symptoms as in more severe cases.
You should contact a doctor when you suspect a developmental delay in your child. If it is diagnosed early enough, it can make a big difference. Some of the symptoms can be noticed by parents but misinterpreted. In mild cases the child could have a delay in talking. Parents can misinterpret this as a hearing or speech impediment but it will just be due to condition. Doctors will refer parents to doctors who specialize in cerebral palsy when they take their children for evaluation.
Symptoms to look out for would be when the child is toe walking, if they keep their arms suspended and raised in the air, clenching fists and bending arms unknowingly. They can also have a general lack of coordination or be excessively clumsy. They can also complain about leg pain after normal activities with other children or be cautious about participating in lots of movement activities. Their legs can be constantly flexed or even be very tight. In addition, when they find it hard to stand or walk on the flat of their foot.
Treatments can include exercises and this seems to be very helpful. Physical therapy and Occupational therapy can help the child to gain a better functionality in movement. When they are toe walkers, you can use high top shoes to help force the foot flat. This will offer extra support for the child’s ankle joint.
With muscle contraction caused by this, you can use some of the oral medications and this will help the muscles relax. To weaken the muscles for three to four months at a time you can use Botox injections in certain muscles, however these provide only temporary results.
Because each person is affected in a different way, it will be hard to establish how the person will experience and what he or she will be capable of doing. In mild cases, the sufferer will be able to participate in just about any activity. These kids may even have more success in certain activities than others will. These kids will normally participate in activities such as swimming and martial arts. However, sports such as baseball, basketball or football will require a lot of running and this will be difficult for those people with mild cases.
Sufferers of mild cerebral palsy often have many different talents. They also have many difficulties. You should not be afraid to get involved with people with this condition. They survived and faced enormous challenges.
