How To Develop Social Skills In A Child With Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood motor function disability. The condition may affect children in one of four separate ways, including spasticity (stiff/loose muscles), dyskinesia (involuntary or uncontrollable movements), ataxia (affecting balance and manipulation of objects), and “mixed”, which is where the child displays symptoms of two or more types of cerebral palsy. In terms of the number of children living with the condition, around 1 in every 250 babies/toddlers are expected to exhibit some degree of symptoms, with more boys affected than girls. The condition is sometimes linked to negligence on behalf of medical staff - speak to a cerebral palsy lawyer in Baton Rouge for more info.
How does cerebral palsy affect social development?
Children with cerebral palsy may find joining in with other able-bodied children to be physically challenging, or they may experience frustration due to communication barriers. Also, any delays in emotional development or any issues with attention deficit or behaviour could lead to other children finding difficulty in finding ways to make a connection. Where a child is left out, emotional issues can develop alongside the physical disability. That is why it is important to learn how to integrate children with cerebral palsy.
Ways to build social skills in children with cerebral palsy:
● Develop their interests - follow up on any sign that the child may be attracted to a particular interest or hobby. For example, this could include sports, music, or art. The child is more likely to show an eagerness to join in with activities that they enjoy (which other children will respond to, easing the way into social environments).
● Communicate on their terms - children with cerebral palsy may find verbal communication to be difficult or simply out of reach. Work with the child to develop communication methods (such as using digital devices and communication boards) that are more suited to their situation, allowing them to fill in the gaps in their speech.
● Seek out recreational therapies - this type of therapy develops social skills by employing adaptive approaches to physical or learning activities. Through individually modified processes, children can experience all manner of pursuits, including dancing or rock climbing, that they otherwise would not usually be able to experience without the help of a recreational therapist.
By building social skills in children with cerebral palsy, the child will achieve a greater sense of self-worth and will use this momentum to build on their own achievements. This will reduce or eradicate feelings of loneliness or depression.