Question
A ten-year-old child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy since the age of nine, accompanied by epilepsy, ADHD, and an inability to care for oneself. The parents are asking how to treat this condition.
Answer
The treatment of cerebral palsy primarily relies on physical therapy, including active movements and passive massage. The therapy should be progressive and consistent, avoiding impatience and overtraining to prevent injury. Patience is key in teaching the child to sit, stand, walk, and grasp objects according to their age, with parents not rushing and teaching the child not to rush as well. Children with a “scissor gait” require special attention from parents to keep their legs apart, even during sleep, ensuring they are well-supported. Mildly bow-legged and toe-walking children can usually recover before starting school. Even in cases with severe symptoms, training can lead to improvement. There are scientific methods and efficacy evaluation standards for training children to walk, grasp objects, and speak. Parents can take their child to a specialized cerebral palsy or rehabilitation hospital for a period of time to learn how to assist with rehabilitation training under the guidance of nursing staff. If a child has long-term muscle contraction that cannot be stretched open or stubborn spasticity that hinders training, surgery by an expert is required. The postoperative effect needs to be ensured by strengthening the remaining muscle strength. Some children may have spasticity before surgery but are unable to stand after surgery due to insufficient training.