The Parent's own Adjustment
Being the parent of a child with disability, whatever the degree of involvement, will not be an easy task. There needs to be a time of adjustment not only for the immediate family but also for the extended family.

Parents and families are faced with dealing with a new and often unexpected situation at the same time as needing to learn to cope with and manage their child effectively. Parents need to be positive as well as realistic. They can do this by discovering the positive aspects of their child's development and abilities and setting realistic goals with their therapists and those involved in their child's management.

Progress is often slow, which is a difficult thing to accept at times. This can be less frustrating if all involved have a clear picture of the child's potential and are realistically planning and working together to reach the child's best potential.

Parents can learn how to integrate the ways of handling they learn into everyday life. There may need to be physical changes to the environment (ramp, downstairs bathroom) as well as making room for special equipment. In every respect the child with disability needs to be treated like any other child so that the child's physical psychological, emotional, intellectual and social development is achieved to its fullest potential.

Many aspects mentioned here are dealt with in more detail in the book Handling the Young Cerebral Palsied Child at Home by Nancie R Finnie FRCP. It is published by Heinemann Medical Books.