92 chapter 9
5. What can be done?
The damaged parts of the brain cannot be repaired, but often the child can learn to
use the undamaged parts to do what she wants to do. It is important for parents to
know more or less what to expect:
The child with cerebral palsy will become an adult with cerebral
palsy. Searching for cures will only bring disappointment.
Instead, help the child become an adult who can live with her
disability and be as independent as possible.
Families can do a lot lo help these children learn to function better. Generally, the
child who is more intelligent will learn to adapt successfully to her condition.
However, intelligence is not always necessary. In fact, some intelligent children become
more easily frustrated and discouraged, so they stop trying. Extra effort is needed to
find new and interesting ways to keep them progressing. Even children with severe
mental slowness can often learn important basic skills. Only when mental damage
is so great that the child does not respond at all to people and things is there little hope
for much progress. However, before judging the child who does not respond, be sure to
check for deafness or loss of eyesight.
IMPORTANT: Rather than try to treat the
symptoms of cerebral palsy, we can do more
for the child if we help her with development
of movement, communication, self-care and
relationships with others. Sometimes we can partly
correct the symptoms through helping the child
develop basic skills.
Family members can learn to play and do daily
activities with the child in ways that help her both to
function better and to prevent secondary problems
such as contractures.
Most important is that the parents (and
grandparents!) learn not to do everything for the
child. Help her just enough that she can learn to do
more for herself.
By standing on her knees as she paints a
sign, this girl is improving her balance to
help her (possibly) stand and walk.
For example, if your child is beginning to hold up her head, and to take things to
her mouth,
instead of always
feeding her yourself
look for ways to help
her begin to feed
herself (see
p. 329).
Disabled village Children