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rparsons4
rparsons4 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
in Cerebral Palsy Network
Hi! I am an occupational therapy student in Kansas and am doing an assignment with a 4 year old who has CP and his family! I would like to join this forum to get some more insight to CP and different information from people with different experiences. I would just be adding some questions on here every so often throughout this semester and would love to discuss and see everyones point of view. If anyone is willing to interact, I would really appreciate it! I am meeting with the family on Monday, does anyone have any advice? Different things such as how to interact, concerns, tips, etc. Thank you so much!! 

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  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,863 Championing
    Hello @rparsons4. 
    These are my top tips:
    Be professional. Remain calm. Smile. Engage with the family. Make notes on the child’s condition etc. Ask questions as and when required. Act in the best interests of the child as much as possible. Believe in the kid. Encourage him to gently push himself as well. 
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,754 Online Community Programme Lead
    Welcome to the community @rparsons4 and thanks for sharing. Hopefully some of our members will be able to contribute to the discussions!
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,780 Cerebral Palsy Network
    Hi @rparsons4
    Great to meet with you and have you as part of the community. How did your meeting go with with the family? If I can advise or support you please do let me know :)
  • rparsons4
    rparsons4 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    It went great! It was mostly just an interview with the mom but she seemed to really accept us into her home and give us detailed answers. We meet with her many more times throughout the semester and hopefully will get to interact with the child more! Thanks everyone for your advice! I'll be making more posts with specific questions and discussions and would love your input! 
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,780 Cerebral Palsy Network
    That is great to read @rparsons4
    Please do keep us updated and post any questions you have.

  • SaraC_Scope
    SaraC_Scope CP Network, Scope Posts: 281 Empowering
    Hi.  Interesting to read about your study.  As an adult with right sided hemiplegia, I'll look forward to your updates.

    Sara
  • forgoodnesssake
    forgoodnesssake Online Community Member Posts: 515 Empowering
    Don't find yourself talking about your experiences with your own kid/niece/nephew etc etc!!  Unless they have the same disability that is.  We have had more than one "professional" comparing the behaviours, development etc of their non-disabled young children...probably in a bid to try and allay our concerns... "all kids develop at their own rate"..."my son was an awful sleeper too" etc etc.  It REALLY doesn't help; quite the reverse.  Makes you feel that maybe they think you are exagerrating your disabled child's needs, or worrying unnecessarily...but you know you aren't...
  • rparsons4
    rparsons4 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    thank is really good insight! I really appreciate that and I will definitely use that advice when working with this child and family.
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Hi @rparsons4, thank you for keeping us updated! It sounds like you are doing a great study!

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