Role of Child Life | neurologymodule

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How can a Child Life Specialist help improve the experience of hospitalization for a child with Cerebral Palsy and their family?

A big way in which child life can help a family is in respite care and providing the family with an opportunity for relaxation while the child is in the hospital

A child life specialist helps to educate the family on Cerebral Palsy and any coexisting conditions that may present themselves.

It is also important that the child life specialist gauges the child's developmental level, as intellectual disabilities often are present with Cerebral Palsy. A child life specialist should use developmentally appropriate terms as they seem fit.

Through discussions with the family, the child life specialist can help to maintain routine while they are in the hospital. This may involve working with other members of the multidisciplinary team to help make this happen!

A child life specialist will also need to provide opportunities for expression of frustrations that the child and family may have. At the same time, these activities must be adapted for the child's motor capabilities. One example of adapting equipment is by placing a large styrofoam ball on the end of a paintbrush. This would help to prevent spasticity due to precise movements

A child life specialist can help prepare a child who is receiving an Intrathecal Baclofen pump!

This device is inserted to help reduce spasticity in indivduals with Cerebral Palsy or another traumatic brain injury. Before the surgery, a child should have a physical therapy examination to create a baseline of movement and spasticity.
What is it?
- Typically a lumbar puncture is first done to determine the patient's reaction to the medication.
- During surgery, the pump is implanted into the abdomen where a catheter is threaded to the person's back.
- Another incision is made to be able to insert the catheter into the fluid filled area surrounding the spinal cord.
- After activation, the pump dispenses Baclofen continuously
- Because the pump only contains a one to three month supply it must be refilled every three months which typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.
What does it do?
- It helps to increase comfort and reduce pain in people with Cerebral Palsy.
- It works to increase the muscle tone and minimize spasticity and dystonia
- It makes it easier for family's to help with daily living activities
What Happens afterwards?
- The child must lay flat for three days and wear an abdominal binder.

We're going to prepare some children and adolescents for a Baclofen Pump! Click Below to head to the next page.

(Cerebral Palsy Alliance, 2016)

(Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, n.d.)

(The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, n.d.)