Cerebral Palsy Law Blog : Cerebral Palsy Lawyer & Attorney : Burke & Eisner Law Firm : Medical Malpractice Lawyers & Attorneys

All children need and deserve to play, but this is not always easy for the special needs child. Children with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities often feel like outsiders, watching other kids play but not being able to participate themselves. However, a new park seeks to change this dynamic.

Opening in the fall of 2009, Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas will cater to special needs kids, their families and their caretakers. The park is a whopping 21 acres in size and features fully accessible restrooms, playgrounds, train rides, a gymnasium, a sensory village, picnic areas, a music garden and more!

In addition, the park is equipped with a controlled entry and exit for security and visitors receive special tracking wristbands for added safety. And the best part about Morgan’s Wonderland – admission is FREE for special needs kids and adults, as well as their family and friends!




 

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Our medical lawyers are always on the lookout for great new resources to share with parents of kids affected by cerebral palsy, and we recently came across a website called Parlerai. The site was created last year by the parents of a young girl with special needs, and its aim is to improve communication and collaboration among caregivers.

Taking care of a child with special needs can be a full-time job in and of itself, and the burden is on parents to make sure the lines of communication are open among all their child’s care providers. This is not always an easy task, a fact both Jon and Kristin Erickson soon realized after the birth of their daughter.

That’s why they decided to create Parlerai – to help others like themselves create a secure network of family, friends and healthcare providers in the interest of fostering increased collaboration and communication.

Parlerai offers a variety of affordable services for families, including:

• A closed and secure network for you, your child and anyone involved in your child’s life – features a database for parents to store documents, pictures, etc.
• A shared media library
• A calendar/scheduling function
• Alerts for urgent messages
• Blogs and instant messaging

To learn more about all this site has to offer, click here.  


 

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Caring for a child with cerebral palsy or other special needs condition isn’t always easy, and often requires the use of complex technology and the management of multiple medications. Given the demands they generally face on a day-to-day basis, it is not uncommon for caregivers to neglect themselves.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that support systems are in position to help caregivers of special needs children, and respite care is a type of help for caregivers that provides them with temporary relief from their duties.

Yet a new study suggests that nearly one quarter of caregivers for special needs children do not receive the respite care they need and deserve.

"These parents have to go through so much. They do it with a lot of love. But caregiving is not an easy task, and families need help caring for their children with special needs," said Dr. Savithri Nageswaran, lead researcher of the study.

Reasons cited for unmet respite care needs include:

• Lack of services available
• Transportation issues
• High cost

Lack of awareness of support services

The study also showed that caregivers of children with severe functional limitations and unstable health conditions had greater unmet needs than caregivers of children in stable health and without functional limitations.

If you are a caregiver to a child with cerebral palsy or other special needs, it’s important to understand that help is available. Check out our cerebral palsy resources page for more information.






 

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Good oral hygiene is particularly important for children with cerebral palsy, who often experience a range of dental issues. For instance, kids with cerebral palsy tend to suffer from the following:
 

• Poor dental alignment
• Dental erosion caused by gastroesophageal reflux and/or vomiting
• Gingivitis caused by certain medications, especially seizure drugs
• Damaging oral habits such as teeth grinding, regurgitation, compulsive eating of non-edible substances and pouching (holding food in the pocket between the teeth and cheek for prolonged periods)

Good Oral Hygiene Starts at Home

One of the best ways of preventing oral health problems is by practicing good oral hygiene at home. The following are a few tips for taking care of your child’s teeth at home:
 

• Make sure to brush your child’s teeth after every meal and each dose of medication, which almost always contain sugar.
• Use a toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association
• Support your child’s head while brushing, and be sure to give lots of praise
• Provide your child with a healthy, low-sugar diet
• Take your child in for regular teeth cleanings and evaluations

Finding a dentist who specializes in the care of special needs patient is not always easy, but it will make a significant difference in the level of care your child receives. Children with cerebral palsy tend to have special needs when it comes to dental care: Some kids may need to be treated under general anesthesia, and others who have severe gag reflex may require special dental radiographs. Also, there may be special considerations for fillings and bridgework.

The National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped, the Special Care Dentistry Association and the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors are all great resources for those needing to locate special dental services in their area.


 

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Assistive Technology Blog Carnival is a blog hosted by educator and AT specialist, Lon Thornburg, and he’s asking you to submit ideas, reviews, and stories about your favorite tech gadgets. The goal is to post a “carnival” of ideas for people to use this coming holiday season.

Children with cerebral palsy or other special needs often benefit from assistive technologies – technologies that facilitate learning, mobility, and enjoyment of life. Assistive technologies include gadgets ranging from video games and specialized computers to movement and speech tools.

If you’re a parent of a special needs child and you have thoughts to share about a particular AT item, post a submission by December 12th. Low-cost or inexpensive suggestions might be especially useful for those experiencing financial hardship.

For those looking for gift ideas, suggestions for the holiday AT Blog Carnival will be posted on December 15th.

 

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