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PTN Chicago

National Sleep Awareness Week
3 Core Tenants of Better Sleep for Your Child
3 Core Tenants of Better Sleep for Your Child 1000 1000 PTN Chicago

This month, the National Sleep Foundation celebrates its annual Sleep Awareness Week from March 10 to March 16. If you’re a parent, you know better than anyone the value of a great night’s sleep, both for your little ones and for yourself.

Sleep can be a major source of stress for parents at every stage. Whether you have an infant who’s kept up by reflux or a toddler who absolutely insists upon sleeping in your bed every night, a disrupted sleep routine can make it harder for both you and your child to have a good next day.

While specific sleep recommendations can vary widely depending upon your parenting philosophy, the age of your child, and any developmental issues that you might be dealing with, here are a few helpful broad truths from our occupational therapists that can help both you and your child get the sleep you need.

It’s All About a Consistent Routine

When children know what to expect, it helps them feel secure and makes it easier to regulate their emotions. One of the best ways to start the night on the right foot is by establishing a clear and consistent bedtime routine. Your routine can evolve as your children get older, and there isn’t any specific routine that is “the right way.” Do what works for you and your child.

For example, some parents like to incorporate bath time into the bedtime routine, but if you’re traveling or already took a bath earlier in the day or got home later than you expected, a bath isn’t always an option. Personally, I like to keep things simple – jammies, brush teeth, story time, goodnight hugs, and then into bed for a few lullabies. A routine like this takes about twenty minutes, which is plenty of time to help your little one calm down, get into a sleepy mood, and drift off without complaint.

Getting Mad and Being Firm are Two Different Things

Of course, as perfect as your bedtime routine is, there will still inevitably be nights when your child simply does not want to go to sleep. If you’re dealing with a nighttime tantrum, the most important thing that you can do is keep your cool. Listen to what your child is saying and repeat their feelings back to them so they know that you are listening. Then do your best to explain why sleep is so important and how your child will feel better after they get some rest. When possible, give your child the opportunity to do one last thing they want to do before going to sleep.

But when it comes down to it, you may need to set boundaries and stick to them. Being firm doesn’t require yelling or being abrasive in any way. On the contrary, it requires patience and consistency.

The Best Way to Sleep Train is the Way that Works for You

There are plenty of “experts” in the world of child development who will tell you that there is only one right way to sleep train. That’s bologna. The way to sleep train is to wait until you feel emotionally ready, to pick a method that makes sense to you, and stick to it. In most cases, successful sleep training takes less than a week, but that can be a very difficult week. Talk to other parents. Talk to your partner. Talk to your pediatrician, and talk to your occupational therapist. Just don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you HAVE TO do things a certain way. The only thing you have to do is listen to your parenting instincts and follow through.

For more information specific to your child about setting up a peaceful sleep environment, breaking bad sleeping habits, and how sleep and occupational therapy overlap, give our office a call. We are always happy to help in any way that we can.

Chicago Kids Activities
5 Indoor Play Places in Chicago that We LOVE
5 Indoor Play Places in Chicago that We LOVE 1000 1000 PTN Chicago

February is the month of love, so we thought we’d take this opportunity to share some of the places that we love in and around Chicago, particularly during these cold winter months. These places are all wonderful spots for engaging your little one in play that promotes healthy child development.

The Chicago Public Library

With every last book available through the internet, it’s easy to forget just how wonderful your local library can be. Spend a half hour letting your little one pick out books that she likes and reading them to her. Do some puzzles, or play a game that you don’t have at home on one of the children’s computers. Each branch also has plenty of interactive programming every month, ranging from homework help to story hours to arts and crafts. Find your local branch and check the event schedule here.

The Little Gym of Chicago

We can’t say enough good things about The Little Gym. This place specializes in classes that involve active play. Some classes are for parents and kids, some are just for kids, and the age range is from four months to twelve years old. (So many places that offer children’s classes start at age two, so this place can be a real life-saver for new parents.) Choose from gymnastics, dance, sport skills, karate, and more. Visit the website here to check out the current class schedule.

Kid City

This indoor play space is over 3,000 square feet and has everything from a play grocery market to a dress up boutique. This is a great spot for toddlers and pre-k kids in particular with big imaginations. You can bring a friend along or plan a session with one of our occupational therapists at this great playground. Learn more about the rates and hours here.

Little Beans Café

A perennial parenting problem is figuring out a way to take your kids on fun adventures and feed them well at the same time. Little Beans Café solves that problem by serving an assortment of drinks (including coffee) and snacks that both parents and kids will enjoy, all within a family play space. This could be the perfect spot to meet with one of our speech therapists to practice socializing, instruction following, and more. Learn more here.

Exceptional Wiggleworms at Old Town School of Folk Music

If your little guy loves music but has sensory sensitivities, then Exceptional Wiggleworms may be the perfect solution. This set of music classes is specifically designed for children with special needs and children with sensitivities to loud noises. Every class follows the same structure and is taught by someone educated in the field of special education. Learn more and sign up for a class here.

These are just a few of the spots we love. For more recommendations, feel free to give our office a call any time. We can also answer any questions you may have about our occupational, speech, and physical therapists or our approach to pediatric therapy.

therapeutic skills
Simple Ways to Keep Your Parenting Resolutions This Year
Simple Ways to Keep Your Parenting Resolutions This Year 1000 667 PTN Chicago

With a new year upon us, you might be thinking about New Year’s resolutions. One common resolution that we hear from the parents we work with is that they’d like to create more time in their busy schedules to work on home program activities. It’s a goal that is easier said than done, because there is only so much time in the day, and often the urgent outweighs the important.

Whether your child benefits from occupational, physical, or speech therapy, finding time to work on those skills with your child on a regular basis is a great goal that will benefit your child immensely. One easy way to get started with as little stress and time-commitment as possible is to incorporate therapeutic strategies into the things that you already do with your child.
Here are some simple examples of ways that you can incorporate therapy into activities that you likely already do every day.

Sing songs in the car.

When driving your child to school or daycare, turn off your radio and ask your child what song they’d like to sing. If they’re too young or not verbal enough to choose, pick a few songs that you like and sing them for your child. Even just listening to songs stimulates a variety of areas in the brain and improves language development. By choosing interactive songs like “If You’re Happy and You Know It…” you can also help your child develop their listening and imitation skills.

Take a back seat during bedtime.

At bedtime, it’s easy for us parents to go into autopilot – putting our kids in jammies, brushing their teeth, and choosing the books we’ll read for them. Whenever time allows, try to take a step back and give your child a bit more control over bedtime. Let them choose their jammies and give them the opportunity, if possible, to try to undress and redress themselves. Likewise, show them how to brush their own teeth and let them have a say in what books you read. Going about bedtime this way will take a bit more time, but it will help your child enjoy the routine more and improve their self-help skills.

Invite your child into the kitchen.

Whenever possible, let your child work with you in the kitchen to prepare meals. Their help might be as simple as pouring pre-measured ingredients into a bowl or even pressing the appropriate buttons on the microwave. Your child may also enjoy playing with pretend food or with unused pots and pans on the kitchen floor while you cook. You can talk about what you’re making and practice skills like counting and following directions.

But most of all, remember to enjoy the time you have with your little one. Don’t worry about carving out a ton of time each day. A little one on one time goes a long way!

For more suggestions, feel free to reach out any time. Our occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physical therapists are here to support both you and your child in any way that we can.

Embrace the Holiday Fun with Play Therapy!
Embrace the Holiday Fun with Play Therapy! 1000 667 PTN Chicago

While we encourage at-home play therapy all year long, engaging your children in creative therapies during the holidays can be particularly fun and festive. Of course, we realize that the holidays come with their own sets of stressors and time constraints, so here are a few simple ideas to let you enjoy playful physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy with your little ones this holiday season without adding any more items to your shopping list.

  1. Singing holiday songs.

Christmas carols and holiday tunes are pretty much everywhere this month. Take the opportunity to mix up the usual songs that you sing with your child by adding in a few simple holiday favorites. Singing is great for building confidence and practicing better speech.

If your child prefers to stick to year-round classics like “The Wheels on the Bus,” try to add in some holiday fun by singing about the Santa on the bus or the menorah on the bus. Have fun thinking of different holiday objects that you can create verses about. This is a great way to practice critical thinking and creative decision making with your child.

  1. Play in the snow.

If you happen to live somewhere chilly, take the opportunity to enjoy fresh snowfalls with your little one. You can practice gross motor skills by packing snowballs and throwing them at (non-human) targets or by building a snowman. In warmer climates, you can jump in puddles after winter rainstorms.

Just remember to be cognizant of the needs and comfort of your child. Bundle them up in waterproof, comfortable clothes and don’t try to force them to engage in activities that “other kids” like. You’ll both have a much better time if you embrace the experience without expectations or a preset agenda.

  1. Make a holiday sensory bin.

Many unique textures are much more readily available during the holiday season for creating new sensory experiences. Search your box of decorations for materials like soft tinsel, curling ribbon, and wooly pretend snow.

  1. Decorate a gingerbread house.

This is a great way to practice fine motor skills and direction following. Depending upon the age of your child, you may want to build the actual house in advance to avoid frustration or waiting. Once the house is ready, your child can help you spread frosting, choose which candies to place where, and practice counting the candy already on the house.

As always, with each of these activities, the key is to have fun while working on important developmental skills.  We hope you enjoyed this little list of activities and, if you’re still looking for gift ideas, be sure to follow us on Facebook for our 2018 Toy Takeover.

play therapy at home and school
At PTN, Therapists and Teachers are Partners during Your Child’s Journey
At PTN, Therapists and Teachers are Partners during Your Child’s Journey 1000 667 PTN Chicago

Now that the school year is back in full swing, you may be wondering about how much you should be communicating with your children’s teachers. Teachers, after all, are a lot like stand-in parents when your child is at school. They monitor behavior, offer rewards (and sometimes punishment), and can have a big impact upon the interests and habits that your child develops. Those can all be great influences, but if they aren’t lined up with what you’re teaching at home, problems can arise.

The situation only gets more complicated if your child participates in speech therapy or occupational therapy. With so many adults offering guidance and advice, it can be all too easy for signals to get crossed and messages to get mixed. That can lead to frustration for your child and for you.

That’s why at PTN we are so vigilant about working not just with children, but also with their parents and teachers. We see the adults – and older siblings – who spend the most time with our kids as partners in their overall development. By getting everyone on the same page, we can make occupational, speech, and physical therapy for kids more cohesive and effective.

Your Role in Your Child’s Occupational Therapy

The first way that we involve both parents and teachers in therapy sessions is by meeting with children in the environments they’re most comfortable in. That can include both the home and the classroom. We find that working with children on their “home turf” helps them feel more relaxed and confident. It also makes it that much easier for parents and/or teachers to participate. By observing, asking questions, and helping with various play-based therapeutic activities, you’ll be empowered to build upon your child’s development between sessions, and the same is true for teachers.

We also strive to keep the lines of communication as open as possible. We can meet with teachers to keep them up to date on the work your child is doing with us, and we can even provide them with written reports that they can reference whenever they need to.

If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), we can provide our input and help ensure that any standards set at home or in the classroom are built upon in therapy sessions.

To learn more about occupational therapy in Chicago, give our office a call. Whether you’re seeking an initial assessment or want to learn about ongoing play therapy, we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

aquatic therapy chicago
Fun in the Sun with Aquatic Therapy
Fun in the Sun with Aquatic Therapy 1200 1018 PTN Chicago

As the weather continues to warm up, more and more children are heading to the lake, ocean, or pool to enjoy fun in the water. If your child has mobility issues or other developmental issues, they might feel left out of this play, but in many cases, they don’t need to be!

Playing in the water with your child is a wonderful way to help them improve their strength, relax their muscles and mind, and gain social skills in an environment that is both stimulating and calming.

Aquatic therapy is the term used for physical therapy that happens in water, usually a pool. Our therapists love working with children in the water, because aquatic therapy has a number of benefits over land-based therapy for many children:

  • Water reduces your body weight by about 90%, making it easier to move in the water and alleviating painful stress on joints. Many children with muscle or mobility issues are able to move with a greater range of motion in the water.
  • Being submersed in water places a gentle pressure all over the body that can be very calming, much like a weighted blanket.
  • Playing in the water is fun! Mixing up physical therapy sessions with a dip in the pool is a great way to add some excitement and joy to play therapy.

If you’ve never engaged in water therapy with your child before, you might want to start by reaching out to a trained physical therapist. Our aquatic therapists in Chicago can show you how to safely get your child into and out of the water and teach you proper techniques for keeping your child safe while in the water. Safety should always be your top concern in the pool!

Next, an aquatic therapist can show you a variety of games and exercises that you can enjoy in the water with your little one. Here are some examples:

  • Building leg strength: While you hold their body facing away from you, you can have your child put their feet on the pool wall and push backward, helping build muscle strength and coordination.
  • Improving mobility: Practicing walking or running in water that is about waist deep is a great way to build mobility skills in an environment where it won’t hurt if you take a tumble. Plus, the water adds extra resistance, helping build strength.
  • Blowing bubbles: Learning how to blow bubbles in water is a lot of fun and helps with social engagement and lung capacity.

Newborn babies all the way up to the elderly can benefit from aquatic therapy. To learn more about our Chicago aquatic therapy sessions, contact our team today.  You can also check out our Aquatic Therapy for Kids and Water Play boards on Pinterest for some great ideas on how you and your child can have fun in the water this summer!

children and autism
Better Speech and Hearing Month: How Our Therapists Support Children with Autism
Better Speech and Hearing Month: How Our Therapists Support Children with Autism 1000 667 PTN Chicago

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month (BSHM), and that feels like the perfect time to discuss how our therapists support children with speech and language disorders, particularly children on the autism spectrum.

At Pediatric Therapy Network, our team specializes in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and language therapy. Children with autism often benefit from each of these therapies, but speech therapy can often be the most transformative for families. When a child is able to clearly express their thoughts, feelings, and wishes to their parents for the first time, that is a truly magical moment.

Since 1927, our nation has celebrated Better Speech and Hearing Month (BSHM) to raise public awareness that over fourteen million Americans struggle with a hearing, speech, language, voice, and/or swallowing disorder, and many of those affected are children. Over fifty pairs of muscles in our mouths and throats must work together so that we can chew, swallow, and speak. It’s very easy to take those processes for granted. Recognizing what a gift clear communication is and helping as many people as possible enjoy the benefits of better speech and hearing are what this month is all about.

Better Speech for Children with Autism

Our physical, occupational and speech therapists in Chicago work with all sorts of children to help them communicate more clearly. With children on the autism spectrum in particular, speech therapy can take many different forms, depending upon the severity of the child’s condition.

For example, some children with autism are able to speak clearly and actually enjoy speaking with a variety of people. But these same children sometimes have difficulty recognizing and understanding social cues and body language. They may need help understanding when it’s ok to touch other people, how to be gentle, and what sorts of things are appropriate to say in certain situations. This sort of behavioral therapy can involve speech therapy, occupational therapy, and sensory integration therapy in combination with one another.

At the other end of the spectrum, some children with autism are unable to speak at all. In these cases, a speech therapist can work with the child and their caregivers to create a system of communication that will help the child be understood. An appropriate system might include a combination of sign language and picture boards, known as a picture exchange communication system, that the child can point to in order to indicate wants and needs.  Research has shown that using these types of systems can actually help a child learn to communicate verbally.

One of the most important things to remember when working with a child with autism is that they are a unique individual, just like each of us. Therefore, every child with autism – and indeed, every child with a speech, language, or hearing disorder – should be met on their own terms using therapies that are customized to their specific needs, wishes, and interests.

To learn more about Better Speech and Hearing Month, or to schedule a consultation with our Chicago speech therapists and/or occupational therapists, contact our team today!

In November We Celebrate Prematurity Awareness Month
In November We Celebrate Prematurity Awareness Month 1280 853 PTN Chicago

November is the month that we all take time to remember what we’re thankful for. It’s also Prematurity Awareness Month. While one in ten babies are premature babies in the United States, one thing we are grateful for is that preterm birth rates have been on the decline, for the most part, since 2007. We are also grateful for the positive role that we at PTN get to play in the lives of preemies and their parents.

What You Need to Know from a Pediatric Therapist’s Point of View

Having your baby before he or she is full term (37 weeks) can be an extremely frightening experience. Fortunately, as medicine continues to improve, preemies face better and better odds of going on to live normal, healthy lives.

For most preemies, the road to a healthy future starts in the NICU. Depending upon the level of prematurity and early intervention procedures that are needed, a NICU stay can range from a few days to a few months. That time can be very hard on parents who just want to hold their babies and care for them at home. It can also cause a lot of relationship strain as parents have to trade off staying at the hospital and attending to the other demands of life, like work and other children.

Even though it is tough, try to remember that the time in the NICU is vital for your preemie’s healthy development. It’s also when physical therapy usually begins. Therapeutic interventions that begin in the NICU include positioning modifications, improving tolerance to handling, and strengthening activities.

A physical therapist can also teach parents how to safely hold their preemie babies, how to carry them, dress them, and how to set them down to sleep in positions that will encourage healthy growth. These sorts of preemie-specific parenting lessons can make the transition from NICU to home much less stressful for the whole family.

When that transition does come, it is important to continue physical therapy without interruption to provide the baby with continuity of care and keep building on the baby’s physical, mental, and emotional development.

Our Team of Chicago Pediatric Therapists is Here for You

If you have questions about preemies and early intervention, or if you need a physical therapist for your own preemie, do not hesitate to contact Pediatric Therapy Network (PTN). At PTN, we have years of experience helping children from preemies to childhood hit key developmental milestones and gain confidence in their abilities. We are grateful for every child we get to work with and every parent who welcomes us into their home for personalized care.

Words of Gratitude for Our Clients

PTN would like to express our sincere gratitude for our patients and their families.  We’re honored that you have chosen to work with us and that you have placed so much trust in our abilities and experience.  We genuinely love the work we do and are thrilled to be a part of both your and your child’s life.  Thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

autism awareness month in chicago
Children with Autism: Information & Activity Guide for Chicago Families
Children with Autism: Information & Activity Guide for Chicago Families 2048 1152 PTN Chicago

 

Note: Free autism screenings will be held at Chicago’s Spectrum Toy Store on April 23rd, 2017. Read on to learn more.

April is Autism Awareness Month! Besides wearing blue or your puzzle ribbon, there are a number of ways to support and educate throughout the month of April. Read on to learn more about different therapies for children with autism, activities in Chicago for children with autism, and how you can support Autism Awareness Month.

What is Autism?ptn

Autism is not a disease nor is it an illness. Autism is a developmental difference that is typically diagnosed during childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and social interactions. Many children with autism also have sensory processing and self-regulation issues.

We now know that autism is a broad spectrum with varying combinations of characteristics and challenges. These challenges might include: difficulty with social interactions, language impairments, and repetitive behaviors. With the support of therapy, children with autism can learn to manage their challenges and go on to lead productive lives.

Autism is different for every child which means every child’s treatment and therapy will be different.

Therapies for Children with Autism

Depending on where the child is on the autism spectrum, they may need one kind of therapy or a combination of therapies for a holistic approach. The treatment plan and options for each child should be individualized based upon their needs. Different types of therapies may include:

  • Speech Therapy – Children with autism struggle with communication and social interaction. Speech therapists help children learn to be effective communicators and interact with the world around them, which can help reduce frustration. Speech therapy can be very successful in helping children unlock communication and connect with others.
  • Occupational Therapy – Occupational therapy can help children manage sensory challenges that may be related to their diagnosis of autism. OT can also help children develop self-regulation strategies, work on fine motor skills, and gain independence in their daily living skills. Many children with autism crave structure and routine, so occupational therapy can assist with development of appropriate and predictable routines that can be carried out across a variety of settings.
  • Physical Therapy – Children with autism may have low muscle tone with associated strength, balance, and coordination issues. PT can aid in strengthening and balance training to improve safety and develop age-appropriate gross motor skills so children can safely explore their environment and interact with their peers.
  • Social Work (Counseling) – Our clinical social workers help children with autism embrace developmental challenges and help their families better understand behavior and needs.

Chicago Activities Guide for Children with Autism

Chicago offers a lot of fun local and community-based resources for parents and children with autism, many of which are free or low-cost. From the movies to going out to dinner in an adaptive setting, there are activities and events for the whole family. Chicago area events and resources for children with autism:

  • Sensory Friendly Films – AMC Theatres partners with the Autism Society to offer Sensory Friendly Films for children with autism. The lights are turned up, the sound is turned down, and those who need to are welcome to walk about during the film. Sensory Friendly Films are offered on the second and fourth Saturday for family films and Tuesday events for adults.
  • Autism Eats – This program started in Andover, MA with the mission to provide an autism-friendly non-judgemental dining experience for families of children with autism. The next Chicago dinner is at Fireside on April 22. You can sign up here. Follow their Chicago Autism Eats Facebook page for up-to-date info!
  • Goldfish Swim School – Children with autism are more than welcome at Goldfish Swim School. Their staff is trained to help children with autism or sensory issues learn how to swim and have fun.
  • Play for All – Chicago Children’s Museum and Navy Pier offers an event on the second Saturday of every month just for families and children with disabilities to have the museum to themselves. This event begins at 9 am and is free for the first 100 who pre-register.
  • Mornings of Fun for Everyone – Discovery Center Museum has a program that invites families and children with disabilities to come experience the museum before it opens to the public. This program is free with pre-registration.
  • Autism Family Day – DuPage Children’s Museum sets aside time every month for families of children with autism to come enjoy the museum with resources specifically for children with autism. Autism Family Day is on the third Thursday from 5-7 p.m. and costs $8.50 per person.
  • Spectrum Toy Store – This Chicago store is located at 1911 W Belmont Ave and offers toys and programs for children with autism. Elyse Sherlock of PTN says, “They sell toys that are particularly good for children with autism and also offer different programs at the location as well. One of the families I work with went recently and they loved it!”

Free Autism Screenings at Spectrum Toy Store

On April 23rd, Spectrum Toy Store will have free autism screenings. Screening will be conducted by a Developmental Pediatrician, Psychologist or Special Educator. Parents will answer questions about their child’s development in order to find out if they are at increased risk for an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Screenings will take about 15 minutes and childcare will be provided. Information about Autism and resources will be provided to families. Children at increased risk for Autism will be referred for further evaluation.

Information about Autism Spectrum Disorder

Spectrum Toy Store
1911 West Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
773-231-8001

www.spectrumtoystore.com

Sunday 4/23/17 — 11:am to 1:00pm
Register today by clicking HERE.
or call Dr. Dodds @ 312-413-1536

Did we miss any great activities or events in the Chicago area? Let us know by commenting on this post.

How Can You Support Autism Awareness Month?

Dedicating the month of April to autism awareness helps promote autism acceptance and bring attention to those who might not understand what autism means or what they can do to help. You can support autism awareness month by:

  • Wearing your Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon
  • Donating to autism organizations or programs here in Chicago or where you live
  • Learning more about autism (start here: Kids with Autism Can)
  • Participating in an educational program about autism
  • Sharing your story with others

One of the best ways to engage with Autism Awareness Month is to share your story of autism! By sharing your story, you’re helping others learn more about an autism journey along with its treatment and success stories.

How Pediatric Therapy Network Helps Children with Autism

Pediatric Therapy Network (PTN) in Chicago supports children with autism through a holistic and community-based approach. Together with their families, PTN provides appropriately customized support depending on where the child is on the autism spectrum.

Our goal is to help your child succeed and thrive where he or she is comfortable, including familiar home, school, and community environments.

PTN supports the parents and the whole family with education and resources. Spending time as a family is important for every child. Luckily, in Chicago, there are lots of fun recreational activities and events for children with autism and their families, many of which are free or low-cost.

PTN specializes in a variety of therapeutic services (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and counseling) and offers a unique home and community-centric approach for children with autism, working within their familiar environments to help them grow into their next. If you’re looking for more great ideas for your child with special needs or if you have questions about our services, please contact us! We look forward to serving you and your child!

Special thanks to our pediatric therapists and parents of children with autism for providing information for this blog post.

 

 

 

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: CP Information & Perspectives from Parents
March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: CP Information & Perspectives from Parents 959 715 PTN Chicago

“I wish people knew more about [Cerebral Palsy]. That it isn’t progressive or inherited. It’s a birth injury, plain and simple. Little awareness exists about birth injuries. I would like to do more to decrease the stigma that people who have CP are somehow damaged or incapable of living a full life. They were injured, NOT damaged, and are exceptional human beings.” -A PTN parent

…

March is Cerebral Palsy (CP) Awareness Month, and March 25th is CP Awareness Day. St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the only day in March we wear green! Here at PTN, we work with many children with CP, and we wanted to do our part to bring awareness to the neurological disorder.

Cerebral Palsy affects 1 in 323 children in the United States, and is the most common motor disability among children. With such wide prevalence, it’s astonishing to know there’s still so much misinformation out there.

What is CP?

cp ribbonThe definition of CP (according to cerebralpalsy.org): While Cerebral Palsy (pronounced seh-ree-brel pawl-zee) is a blanket term commonly referred to as “CP” and described by loss or impairment of motor function, Cerebral Palsy is actually caused by brain damage. The brain damage is caused by brain injury or abnormal development of the brain that occurs while a child’s brain is still developing — before birth, during birth, or immediately after birth.

Cerebral Palsy affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance. It can also impact fine motor skills, gross motor skills and oral motor functioning.

Hemiplegia refers to one arm and leg on the same side of the body being affected. Diplegia, or paraplegia refers to when both legs are affected, and quadriplegia is used to describe CP when both arms and legs are affected.

Let’s dispel some common misconceptions:

  • CP isn’t a disease. It’s the result of injury to the brain during birth or development.
  • Because of its nature, CP can affect each child differently, depending on the location and extent of the brain damage.
  • Physical impairments can range from mild to severe. CP can affect: Balance, coordination, posture, vision, hearing, and intellect. It may also cause seizures.
  • Many children with CP grow up to be healthy, productive adults.
  • CP doesn’t mean a child is confined to a wheelchair or will not be able to talk.

CP & Therapy

CP can’t be cured, yet. The lack of a cure right now doesn’t mean there won’t be one in the future, or that your child cannot live a productive life.  Therapy can help to improve independence, access, and participation. Therapists use adaptive equipment and…

  • Physical therapy: Focuses on functional stretching and strengthening in order to improve  mobility  skills and participate in activities and daily routines and incorporates the use of adaptive equipment when necessary to improve participation and prevent secondary impairments.
  • Occupational therapy: Helps children develop fine motor and play skills and introduces adaptive products to improve independence with activities of daily living.
  • Speech therapy: Works with children who have speech, language, and swallowing difficulties. If communication is difficult, therapists can help children learn how to use a communication device to interact with their family and peers.

Though CP itself isn’t progressive, altered body mechanics because of issues with posture, balance, and muscle spasticity can contribute to a variety of issues for children as they age, in a phenomenon known as post-impairment syndrome. These conditions, such as osteoarthritis, are a result of the bone and muscle abnormalities because of the CP. While you cannot necessarily stop these issues from happening, physical therapy can help reduce the severity and delay the onset of these conditions.

National & Chicago-Area Resources for CP Patients & Families

Cerebral Palsy: PTN Parent Point-of-Views

We reached out to some of our parents and asked them a few questions.

How does therapy help your child?

“Therapy helps in so many ways.  The therapists suggest techniques to strengthen your child, provide alternatives to accomplish tasks with which he or she might be struggling, and can help provide perspective on how far your child has come.  It can be very easy to get caught up in how much work your child needs to accomplish to gain the skills that provide more independence, but therapy helps build those skills, and provides a means of measuring improvements, so that you and your child can see the progress that has been made towards your goals.”

“I think the therapy helps her to be self-aware of how her body is reacting.  She has to really try, but she can relax her muscles with great effort.  Bracing has come out of therapy and this really helps with keeping things aligned more.  I think she would have a much harder time walking and running without the bracing.”

“Therapy has helped my daughter tremendously!  We have noticed the most change with speech and physical therapy.  Our daughter mimics words and phrases that she works on with her speech therapist.   For physical therapy, we notice that once something new is introduced, she gets better and better each week.”

What are some of the struggles with therapies, for you and your child?

“In the beginning, it took our child some time to be comfortable with the therapist. Most of this was because of her age and she didn’t want to separate from us. The initial few months our daughter would cry through lots of the sessions, but it takes a creative/fun therapist to work through it. Also, some weeks it is challenging to practice the therapy techniques. You need to share it with nannies, grandparents, etc., the goals you are working on.”

What do you wish could be done to improve CP awareness?

“Ask questions and promote education instead of ignorance.”

“I really would like to see CP events more.  Usually they are hosted by families or the therapy organizations.  I would like to see an event like Spartan or Tough Mudder take on fund raising.  I would like to see more children with the special needs of CP at the events.  Just working on this task has led me to trying to raise awareness myself by raising money at these events for children.”

The parents we interviewed had unique answers for advice for parents with children who’ve received a CP diagnosis, but they all shared a common thread. If your child was just diagnosed, take a bit of time to research, but don’t panic. There are not only resources for your child, but resources to help you get the support you need to deal with the diagnosis, too.

…

Your child may have different abilities and struggles than the rest of the world, but they are perfect just the way they are, and the best thing you can do is treat them as normally as possible. Don’t coddle, or hold them back. Let them try again and again. They may take a while to adapt, and they may have to do things differently, but they will figure it out. There may be some things your child cannot do, but the important thing is you do not allow the CP diagnosis to define who they are. Be patient, and get ready for your child to surprise you often. 

Join us here at PTN in celebrating CP Awareness Day! We’re here to answer any questions you may have about the neurological disorder, and to help you get the resources you need for your child.

A BIG thank you to our parents and therapists for their generous time and effort in helping us create this article.

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