Does anyone have any experience with a child with CP?

This message was originally posted by [url=http://forums.adoption.com/old_boards.php?username=carolynsue67]carolynsue67[/url]. What part of Northern Illinois are you from? I currently live near Jacksonville, IL, but will soon be moving to Pittsfield, IL. Do you know where that is? My husband and I are new to this (Foster/Adoption) and thought you might be able to help out. What are you referring to when you say CP? Sorry, I will get to know there names. Nice chatting:) Carolyn

This message was originally posted by [url=http://forums.adoption.com/old_boards.php?username=Micki]Micki[/url]. cerebral palsy? I used to have a patient (dental office) with CP. He was 8 yrs old and except for physical limitations and being slow of speech he was fine. His mental age corresponded with his chronological age. He was super sweet and loved to flirt!

This message was originally posted by [url=http://forums.adoption.com/old_boards.php?username=ajsmom]ajsmom[/url]. Hi Nicki. I have a 6 1/2 year old son with Ataxic CP and have had a 4 1/2 year old foster son who is "typical" we don't use the term "normal" because is there really such a thing as normal? Anyway we've had Aaron for 2 months now and he is a darling little boy but the problem lies with our son. They constantly fight, today, my foster son bit by son's arm so hard it left teeth marks and brusing. Needless to say we are very upset over this. We are contemplating calling social services to remove this child. It really has caused major chaos in our house. Sounds like you have your plate full Alice

This message was originally posted by [url=http://forums.adoption.com/old_boards.php?username=CarolineC]CarolineC[/url]. I have fostered several children with CP, have a 16yr old sister with spastic quad. CP, and worked in a special needs elemenatry school. Is there anything specific you would like to know about it, or just general information? feel free to email me, or post a question here. I will do my best to answer you. My email is CarolineC74@charter.net good luck, and continued good progress with your fs.

This message was originally posted by [url=http://forums.adoption.com/old_boards.php?username=mommy_2001]mommy_2001[/url]. Our bio son was diagnosed with CP at 9 mos. It's not something to be scared of. Depending on the severity of the condition, most, through exstensive physical (gross motor), occupational (fine motor), and speech therapies can go on to lead very productive lives. Our son is in the mild-mod range, he has all three therapies twice a week right now, but in August will start attending a preschool where he will recieve them 4 days a week. We started using ASL with him when we found out. To this day his biggest delay is still in speech, I waited two years, hearing his first word "Adda" (Daddy) the entire time, over and over again. Througout that two years other forms of words came, Uck (truck), ook (book). When they evaled him at 12 mos. they said that a speaking child should have somewhere around 10-12 words, he had "Adda", but could sign 23 words and combine them for more than just his needs. Cognitively he was right on target, a little above-- his body just didn't want to cooperate. Finally, when he was 25 mos. I heard what I had been waiting for "Momma" Children with CP are a little more work, but sooo worth it. If there is any information I can give, that you don't already have, please let me know. So many people get frustrated at their inability to understand that they are willing to give up on the child, when they don't have to. mommy_2001@msn.com P.S. He still can't walk, he's still working on talking, but the first time that he turned over on his own from tummy to back was on 9-11 just as the news was cutting in with a story about an apparent bombing at The World Trade Center.--- Even in what was to become one of the darkest moments in our history he brought joy to our lives.

This message was originally posted by [url=http://forums.adoption.com/old_boards.php?username=Mollymom]Mollymom[/url]. I am new to this board, but I just had to reply to this thread. We are currently fostering a 3 yr. old with mild CP. He can do just about anything a typical 3 yr. old can do. Our son was also born at 30 weeks, exposed to meth, and low heart rate. He was medically fragile for the first year. At 13 months he started crawling, 18 months Christmas Day 2001 started walking, didn't say MAMA until 22 months. He is speech delayed. However, we do have some behavior problems and I was wondering if CP children need to have constant 1 to 1 attention??? Or is this problem just related to the drugs. I should also state that we are adopting him. I guess I am wondering if this stage(hopefully) will get any better. Thanks so much for this thread. Mollymom

This message was originally posted by [url=http://forums.adoption.com/old_boards.php?username=hope4kids]hope4kids[/url]. The CP children I worked with didn't seem to have behavior problems as a rule. Some did, some didn't. You mentioned the speech delay though. My daughter's speech delay caused some behavior problems because she couldn't make herself understood. Did you mean methadone or methampetamine? How about alcohol exposure? Alcohol exposure can certainly cause behavior issues.

This message was originally posted by [url=http://forums.adoption.com/old_boards.php?username=Mollymom]Mollymom[/url]. My son was exposed to methapetamine, and yes alchol. I enjoy him so much when he is having a good day. But, the bad days are getting harder, and harder to handle; mainly because he is having such a hard time calming down. I must say that the past couple of days have been really easy days for the entire family, we have been very busy.

This message was originally posted by [url=http://forums.adoption.com/old_boards.php?username=hope4kids]hope4kids[/url]. My daughter's occupational therapist just taught me to do brushing and joint comsressions on her to help her regulate herself. So far it is working incredibly well. I use a 100% horse hair brush like you use to shine shoes. Every two hours I massage up and down on her back, legs, hands, legs, and feet - about 15 strokes on each body part. I use enough pressure so it is not tickling her. Then I start with her head and work down to her toes doing joint compressions. Basically I place one hand on either side of each major joint in her body and push my hands towards each other in a fairly quick rythym. She likes it. It is supposed to stimulate the brain stem and help her brain integrate and regulate sensations. She has FASD and has ADHD characteristics.

This message was originally posted by [url=http://forums.adoption.com/old_boards.php?username=magi]magi[/url]. My husband and I are foster parents to a Spastic Quadroplegic CP child, now 2 years old. I am also a pediatriac nurse who has specialized in children with CP. There are so many different types, degrees, and causes for CP. Sometimes the cause is unknown. Somethimes the medical personell are blamed for it. Most of the time it the exposure to some thing else. I do not know many of the answere, but maybe I know enough to help you out. Please feel free to contact me. Magi