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Adjustment Problems
: A child
with Cerebral Palsy has major adjustment problems, both with
himself/herself, as also with family, teachers, caregivers and
all those who happen to fall within his sphere of connectivity.
If not handled properly, he becomes his own enemy first.
Thereafter, it is only a downhill slide, not only in terms of
physical deterioration but psychological as well.
In most cases of CP, the psychological disadvantage is just as
major as the physical ones, with the two being very closely
linked.
A lack of muscular control and coordination, in varying degrees,
affects the gross and fine motor skills. In turn, they affect a
child’s movement and ability to handle things, even when the
mind wills it otherwise. Physical impairments like inability to
stand, sit, walk, talk, smile etc., as also a weakness of the
facial muscles leading to drooling, and inability to speak and
swallow are some of the initial manifestations of CP. It’s the
secondary and associated symptoms, like seizures and mental
retardation, which are more difficult to cope with both by the
affected child and his caregivers.
With physical impairments come frustrations, at the restriction
of mobility, inability to do simple tasks, and at times even a
distorted appearance. The feelings of hopelessness,
helplessness, and resentment compounded by the grief and guilt
of parents sends these children into a state of depression. The
saddest part of it is that very often they touch rock bottom in
their depressed state and harbour suicidal thoughts. But
cognitive and physical impairment very often prevents them from
acting on such thoughts. As such, their depression only grows,
but is not seen by the family members and caregivers.
Feelings of acceptance, recognition and the desire to fit-in and
be liked are as strong in children with CP as in normal
children. But their feelings are not really understood, nor
reciprocated by their peer group, generating a sense of
alienation. With time, the needs of these children also change,
as does the awareness about their physical limitations. The
spate of questions that follow need to be answered, the pent up
feelings given an avenue of ex-pression, perspectives on
problems need to be changed and seen as challenges rather than
as punishment.
This is where the role of the parents and caregivers assumes
great significance. Teenagers and young adults with CP need
extra help to learn to live independently. Occupational skills,
like learning to prepare a meal, handle money and use public
transport are some of the ways to bring about this independence.
Parents also need to shift their focus from their CP child, to
other siblings for they run a higher risk of developing
behavioral and emotional disturbances.
It’s important for parents to take charge of themselves and
build emotionally strong relationships at home, as also a strong
support network. This will help them come out with creative
strategies to cope with the challenges of raising a child with
developmental disabilities.
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- editor Sunayana Sadarangani .Copyright©2000.Indianchild.com.
Category recommended
India site :
http://www.nrcissi.org/ - The National Resource Centre for
Inclusion. - The Spastics
Society of India. |
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