tough physio

While on a paediatric placement I made some observations that brought me to the conclusion that it is often best to be tough on a child with a disability. Initailly I found the misfortune of young chilren with severe disabilities sad, however, children with disabilities have to try even harder than other children in order to achieve goals and create indepencence. I believe it does the children no favours if anyone (including their physiotherapist) is too soft on them. During placement I saw many children from different types of families with different dynamics, but two contrasting situations spring to mind.

Both children concerned were 4 year olds with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. The mother of one child appeared to do everything for the child and treat her like a baby. The mother would pick the child up and carry her in from the car (breaking her back) rather than using the stroller. This child was generally constantly fussed over. The child, as disabled as she was, had some significant behavioural issues which included intentionally eliciting a strong atonic neck reflex which she used to pull her hair out in order to gain attention.

The other child came from a family with 7 brothers and sisters. His mother did the opposite of fuss over any of her children. Some staff at the therapy centre would roll their eyes at how laid back a mother she was, saying that "the children just get left to themselves." This did not seem to be to the child's detriment as he was always willing to try a task. He did not engage in inappropriate attention seeking behaviour and attempted to help himself out of tricky situations. He was a surprisingly funcitonal boy in spit of his disability and had increadibly good motor planning skills.