CP Information

A time-honored part of Halloween is the pumpkin! Whether carved or merely decorated, pumpkins are a staple of this holiday and are often personalized by children based upon their interests and more. Unfortunately, the process of carving a pumpkin may not be possible for some children with Cerebral Palsy, making alternatives a welcome part of this year’s Halloween. Today’s craft explores ways to decorate a pumpkin without a knife, allowing for children with special needs to get in the spirit of things while also making for a unique decoration for the holiday.

As a child with Cerebral Palsy, your son or daughter may be facing a wide assortment of challenges: emotional and/or physical. Being able to engage with your child on a daily task can be rewarding as your ability to multi-function expands (something every parent appreciates!) Cooking is just one of several different efforts that, with the right amount of time, parents can enjoy with their child, even those with special needs. Here are three different pieces highlighting options when it comes to cooking with a child with special needs:

While the holidays are supposed to be a time of excitement, happiness and relaxation, parents of a child with special needs also know there is a lot more to it when navigating the holidays. Whether it involves tackling the logistics of traveling, trying to find menu options that accommodate dietary restrictions, handling seasonal shifts or addressing complications with ‘less than aware’ family members, the holidays can (and often are!) a challenge! We understand that there are wide assortments of challenges, each unique to your family, but have a few suggestions that can hopefully help!

As your child gets older, their desire to find independence and take on tasks will grow. Whether this is effectively possible or not, the desire to take on everyday activities or needs, in turn, highlights potential gaps in your child’s emotional and physical abilities. Helping your child manage Cerebral Palsy symptoms involves finding out your options in therapy, while also improving circumstances wherever possible. We have a few suggestions to help parents step into this process and invite your suggestions as well.

A lot has been said about the gap that exists surrounding awareness and sensitivity from the general public toward the special needs community. Breaking down barriers between understanding and compassion, much less advocacy, is a critical goal of our organization, which is why we are such big proponents of information for parents of children with special needs and others alike!

Did you know World Cerebral Palsy Day is a thing? You probably didn’t, likely because so little public communication exists surrounding CP as a condition, much less days and events associated with it. Despite significant advances in technology and medicine, extensive gaps still exist in the understanding and awareness of Cerebral Palsy. An overarching term assigned to brain injuries taking place sometimes during a pregnancy, delivery or post-birth, Cerebral Palsy occurs between 2 and 3 times per 1,000 live births.

The process for diagnosing Cerebral Palsy is not a simple one. CP is a complex condition impacting each person differently; it cannot be overstated the unique, person-specific nature Cerebral Palsy has. Due to associative conditions that may be more pronounced, diagnosing CP may not even be on the radar of parents or doctors due to overlapping symptoms or a lack of awareness.

It’s that time again; stacks of school papers and piles of miscellaneous items will soon fill every corner of your house. Summer is officially over and now is the time to get back to your organization habits. It is crucial to stay on top of organizing or you could face the dreaded moment when you are running late, trying to get out the door, but you can not find your child’s school work. Save yourself the headache and time by staying organized. To help you avoid the school year stress, we put together several organization tips that could work for your family.

Music can be a huge part in everyone’s life and can even improve a person’s life. More and more people are looking into music therapy to help increase their quality of life. From speech to memory, music therapy can help. Music can touch the lives of children with Cerebral Palsy and with music therapy they can receive many benefits.

While you may understand Cerebral Palsy by its symptoms and the lifetime of challenges it presents, you may not fully comprehend just what the condition is. With so much misinformation existing surrounding CP, including some beliefs it is a disease or on par with a cold or infection, it’s no wonder parents often find themselves lost after a diagnosis. In understanding Cerebral Palsy as a brain injury, it is our hope that parents can equip themselves accordingly to getting their child the support he or she needs, while also exploring the root cause of the specific condition.