Aging Out of EPSDT - Part VIII: Strategies

Sometimes it isn't evident that a child has cerebral palsy until they get a little older and aren't meeting milestones like other babies their age. Babies may not be able to roll over, crawl, sit up unassisted or learn to walk. In other cases, it is evident right away that something is different with a baby with the disorder. 

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They may have poor coordination, stiff or weak muscles and tremors. They may also have seizures and later in life problems with thinking and/or reasoning. While the symptoms may be more noticeable over time (when the baby gets older for example) the disorder doesn't get worse over time, so parents and therapists can then address what to do for each individual case.

While there is no known cure (yet) for cerebral palsy, there are many supportive treatments like occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy, medications that help to calm muscles and surgery to lengthen muscles or to sever overly active nerves may give the patient more comfort and relaxation within their body.

Parents will usually seek the help of many medical practitioners and therapists and even have respite workers coming in to be with their child while they do the multitude of other things that need to be done on a daily basis. There are special schools that can accommodate those in wheelchairs and with cerebral palsy and other disorders, and of course a never ending stream of doctor's and specialist's appointments to attend.