Question
How should I handle a four-and-a-half-year-old who speaks unclearly, has poor hand motor skills, and has no appetite?
Answer
According to intelligence test results from one to two years of age, the child’s intellectual development is only at the level of a twenty-month-old. For such a situation, treatment for cerebral palsy may include improving motor function through increasing joint mobility, adjusting muscle tone, and enhancing motor control, coordination, strength, and endurance. This can further boost the child’s ability to manage daily activities independently. In addition, medication is an option, with common medications including nerve tonics and muscle relaxants. However, medication should only be used when necessary. Parents should closely monitor their child’s development, identify issues early on, and seek treatment to avoid severe consequences that may arise from the worsening of the condition.