6 May 2021
Cerebral palsy is caused by a problem with the development of the brain that occurs before, during or shortly after birth. An example of such a circumstance which could lead to such an injury is when a baby is starved of oxygen due to complications during birth. The brain of a baby is very vulnerable to damage and if such damage occurs, it can have lifelong consequences.
Whilst you may be made aware that your child has suffered a brain injury shortly after the injury has occurred, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy is not made as quickly. Diagnosis of cerebral palsy tends to occur from age 18 months to 2 years onwards. This is because the process of diagnosis is informed by how your child progresses with their developmental milestones, such as walking and talking, as well as other investigations such as scans.
Every child is different in terms of how they progress and when there has been a brain injury, how the child progresses will be affected by which areas of the brain have been affected and the severity of the injuries. If, for example, a brain has been injured in the area that governs speech and communication, there may be delays in the child starting to speak and communicate.
Receiving such a diagnosis in respect of your child will undoubtedly be daunting and upsetting; there will be uncertainty about what is going to happen to your child and the quality of life that they are going to lead. It however may be a relief to finally have confirmation as to why your child is not progressing with their development as you would have hoped.
On receiving such a diagnosis, assistance will be available for the child and their family. A care plan will be created, with the input of the family and the medical professionals, to ensure that there is a personalised plan to cater for the child’s needs. This can include input from many specialisms, such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and orthotics, and they will all work together to ensure that the child has the best possible quality of life.
There is also medical equipment which can help to maximise independence, such as aids for mobility and communication. There will likely be occupational therapy input to assess for what assistance technology would be of assistance, including adaptations to the home.
For children of school age, they are likely to receive additional support at school, whether this be in a mainstream school or a school for those with additional needs. An educational, health and care plan will be prepared with the assistance of those involved in your child’s care and the school.
There is a lot of support available for families who have received a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, including practical, financial and emotional support. Much of this assistance comes from the local authority, such with arranging respite care, but also from charities and support groups. From a financial perspective, there are benefits to which you may be eligible, including disability living allowance for the child and carer’s allowances for those caring for the child.
Our experienced clinical negligence team have significant experience in helping families who have been affected by cerebral palsy. If you and your family have been affected, please contact our team on 01482 323697 today to discuss how we can help your family.
