Cerebral Palsy Facts

Children with cerebral palsy affects are considered “special needs,” meaning that they cannot care for themselves. The most common diagnosis is spastic cerebral palsy, which involves rigid muscles on one or both sides of the body, as well as difficulty walking and talking. The condition is a life-long disability that ranges from mild to severe, but almost always requires at least one of the parents to make sacrifices in order to stay home and care for the child.

Children with CP will need help eating, bathing, getting dressed and getting into their wheelchairs. They may need to meet with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dental hygienists, eye doctors, surgeons and medical doctors for cerebral palsy treatment. To help cover some of the financial demands of your child’s care, your family may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI benefits).

Children with cerebral palsy require medical expenses and caregiver requirements that can be very demanding. To assist you with some of your needs, Social Security offers eligible families benefits for their child with CP.

Typically, to apply for Social Security you must be over 65, blind or disabled. Children under 18 can qualify if he or she meets Supplemental Security Income’s definition of “disability” and if your household income falls within the eligibility requirements. These numbers vary from state to state, so it’s best that you check with your state social security program.

If children cerebral palsy benefits are awarded, then the law mandates that the state agency review your child’s medical condition every three years or so. At these review periods, you must demonstrate records that your child is still receiving cerebral palsy treatment from a medical doctor. When a child with CP turns 18, he or she is considered an adult, so different medical rules apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.

For example, the household income is no longer a factor and only the 18-year-old’s income will determine eligibility. As of 2009, the child must not work a job earning over $980/month. To determine benefit eligibility, the application is sent to the disability determination services in your state. To apply, you can call 1-800-722-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or visit Ssa.

Along with financial compensation, children cerebral palsy benefits also include health care service referrals. Many parents may be unsure where they can get the best and most affordable care for their cerebral palsy child. As part of the “Children with Special Health Care Needs” provision of the Social Security Act, you’ll be referred to state health agencies that provide specialized services at hospitals, clinics, private offices, in/outpatient centers or community organizations. Even children who do not qualify for SSI may be able to find special needs programs through their local social services office or hospital.

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Cerebral palsy symptoms vary from case to case. This condition is caused by damage to the brain that manages motor control. It can occur during pregnancy, childbirth or after the child is born. If if shows up after the child is born, it will happen no later than 3 years old. This is a permanent condition that restricts normal movement and posture.

Symptoms can range from problems with fine motor tasks such as writing. Or it can be much more serious where an individual is incapable of standing or walking. Severe cased suffer involuntary movements, such as uncontrollable motions, seizures and mental retardation.

Every case of cerebral palsy manifests trouble with skeletal and muscular development. This alters muscle strength and coordination. There are often skeletal deformities that make normal movement impossible. This typically involves spasms, inability to balance oneself, involuntary movements and facial gestures and many other problems.

Scissor walking and toe walking are common cerebral palsy symptoms. These issues with motor function can be mild or more severe. Some individuals with this condition can still function and get around, while others are rendered helpless. Depending on the location of the damage to the brain, there are some individuals with cerebral palsy that are affected by only one side of the body. If the brain’s right side is damaged, then this result in the left side of the body having limited mobility issues.

Babies born with severe cerebral palsy do not have normal posture. They can be either immobile in certain parts of the body or overly movable. It depends on the severity of the condition. Symptoms may change as a child gets older. Some babies do not show symptoms immediately. For those that do not show the symptoms right away will normally show signs by nine months of age.

Other symptoms may include epilepsy and other communication disorders. Eating disorders, sensory impairments, mental retardation and sometimes behavioral disorders can be additional symptoms. A person’s speech will be impaired usually sounding slurred. This is one of many of the very frustrating symptoms of this condition.

Uncontrollable shaking of the limbs on one side of the body is another common symptom. This are called hemiparetic tremors. If if is very severe, the tremors can seriously impair movement. With cerebral palsy, muscles will be very tight and well not stretch well. The muscles may actually further tighten as the disease progresses over time. It typically affects the arms. Trouble swallowing is another common symptom. Individuals with cerebral palsy that experience problems controlling their tongue and mouth motions may have problems eating and drinking. They will also have a tendency to drool.

Cerebral palsy symptoms are sometimes undetectable until the child reaches a certain age. The most common symptoms are mental disabilities, vision impairments, uncontrollable seizures, and motor problems with the mouth and tongue. This is a horrible condition that has no cure. Not much is known about the cause but there are some medications available to help individuals manage the involuntary movements.

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