In many cases, the overarching question is how you as the parent or caregiver can make this life happy and full of joy for the child—and for yourself. Parents want to know how to live with the brain injury, but also how to ensure that their child can live the fullest, best life that is possible.
Among other issues, parents of children with brain injuries should consider unique issues, including cognitive function and learning, tools and equipment to help the children adapt, how to improve physical function and mobility and to support a future transition toward independence, older childhood and, eventually, adulthood.
Encouraging Strong Cognitive Function
Intellectual development and learning is important to any child’s development but is particularly essential for a child growing with a brain injury that affects his or her cognitive abilities and cognitive growth.
Home education, combined with specialized education, is the best foundation for a child with a brain injury to grow intellectually. This growth can occur both in the home and family environment, as well as in environments outside the family for learning, such as school, mentoring, skills groups and social groups.
At home, encouragement of both daily living skills and gradual educational growth are important for the development of children with brain disorders. Consistent practice of both of these types of skills will help your child grow toward independence and self-assuredness. For small children, the practice of letters, images, colors, and words can help set the foundation for the essential communication learning they will need for both educational development, social growth, expanded imagination and setting the path toward self-independence.
Communication
For a child with a brain injury, communication issues can be a daily struggle. However, it is also an essential cornerstone of the child’s life and growth. Normal daily life can be interrupted when your child has an issue communicating his or her needs, desires or issues.
In some cases, speech therapy with a licensed speech pathologist can be a helpful resource for children suffering from brain injuries know their communication needs and develop skills for interactions and development.
Mobility
Many brain injuries (BI), such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and cerebral palsy, can commonly affect the movement of a child.
Of course, the degree to which a child’s mobility is affected by a BI depends on the child, the injury and the situation; however, typical issues include those of motor skills, mobility, bodily function and bodily movement. When a child is small, even if it is a baby who is not yet able to walk or move independently, it is important to encourage and consider mobility issues so that your child can move as freely as possible, with as little pain and discomfort as possible.
In some situations, seeking professional help can be an asset to your child’s mobility and development of motor function. Occupational therapists specialize in promoting physical movement in your child’s body to support daily function. Additionally, orthopedists who specialize in the musculoskeletal systems of children can evaluate your child’s movement ability and whether physical therapy and other treatments can help foster and support physical growth.
As your child grows, you may want to consider tools that may be able to assist your child in his or her movements. These tools can include canes, crutches, and wheelchairs, or other assistive devices that can help with daily activity such as eating or hygiene.
Physical Assistance Issues with Daily Activities
Typically related to mobility and issues of movement, children with brain injuries can have issues completing daily activities that would not be considered issues for children of non-injured status. Some children with brain issues will require assistance for eating, feeding, and meals. Sometimes this issue is born from the inability to grasp objects or limited mobility. Other children may require nutritional assistance, with different foods, nutrients and food desires than other children and family members. Children with brain issues, including those children with cerebral palsy, often require a diet of highly-saturated nutritional content.
Sleep is another daily activity in which children with brain injuries can struggle. For a disabled child with movement issues or bodily pain, sleeping can pose a major challenge. And for any human—and especially a young child—sleep is a crucial element of a healthy life. Medical doctors, physical therapists, and sleep specialists can help create a sleep environment that encourages long, deep sleep for your child. Oftentimes, this involves making the bed as comfortable as possible for your child’s unique muscles and muscle movements.
Finally, hygiene is another daily activity in which children with brain injuries may need special assistance. Normal activities such as going to the bathroom, getting dressed, bathing and washing can be a significant area for growth and for a challenge for young children with brain disabilities. Encouraging self-care is an essential part of learning hygiene, such as learning to tie one’s own shoes or brush your own teeth. If your child is not physically able to do an activity without assistance, help “just enough” with less and less help over time to encourage your child’s independence in hygiene and daily activities. And just as with the development of the other daily activities and growth, medical professionals—such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists—can help you create an environment, schedule and learning system to help support the development of your child’s hygiene and self-care.
Encouraging Positive, Constructive Play
As with all children, daily playtime and activity is an important part of socialization, physical development, and interaction with others. All children learn through play, and it is an especially important learning tool for children with cognitive disabilities.
Of course, the type and degree of play and social interaction depend on your child’s age, function and social abilities. For some children, physical play is especially helpful – such as playground activities and ball sports. Other times, simpler activities are better, such as blocks and board games. Whatever your child’s capabilities, physical therapists can help establish a play routine that has the best benefits for your child’s social, intellectual and physical growth.
Transition to Independence and Adulthood
As your baby grows into a child and then a teenager, and onward to adulthood, it’s important to look forward to this development and transitions to anticipate the supports they will need to succeed.
Some children with brain injuries, even including cerebral palsy, will grow to lead full, independent lives after high school –including professional work lives and vocations. And children with brain injuries can make the transition to college, with the establishment of services and accommodations necessary for the child’s needs, both physically and socially.
For other children with brain injuries, vocational jobs may be a good path toward independent adulthood. Vocational schools can provide job training for young people with intellectual and physical disabilities, teaching not only skills for jobs but also daily life and social skills.
No matter what your child’s situation, it is always helpful to anticipate the next phase to lay the foundation for steady advancement and growth to support the best life your child can live.
