Social and Emotional Concerns of People With Cerebral Palsy
People with
cerebral palsy (CP) share many of the social and
emotional concerns of others the same age, such as wanting to fit in with peers
and develop friendships.
Help support your child with CP by being aware of and understanding
these concerns. Although you will not be able to solve all the difficulties for
your child, your efforts can have a lasting and positive impact.
- School-aged children with cerebral palsy want to
be accepted by others and included in games and sports. Special equipment and
encouragement from other children their age can help them participate in normal
activities.
- Teens and young adults with cerebral palsy have
concerns and questions about relationships and sexuality. They may need more
help than other teens and young adults in learning how to take care of their
maturing bodies. Also, they may need additional guidance in how to make
good choices and have healthy sexual relationships as they get
older.
- Adults with cerebral palsy want to have fulfilling jobs and
active social lives. They may need special equipment to do their jobs.
- A woman with CP may be at increased risk for problems during
pregnancy and delivery. Her specific problems will depend on how her
joints and muscles are affected by CP.
Talk to your doctor about support groups and other resources that can help you handle your child's concerns.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics |
| Last Revised | September 20, 2012 |