Cerebral Palsy and Transitioning to Adulthood

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There will come a point in time when your child with cerebral palsy becomes an adult. Transitioning to adulthood can be more challenging for a child with cerebral palsy. Focus on education, job training, and independent skills to make the transition easier.

Does Cerebral Palsy Get Better or Worse With Age?

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition. There is no cure. Cerebral palsy is also not progressive, which means it does not worsen over time. Associated conditions can worsen as a child grows into adulthood, especially if those conditions or symptoms are not appropriately managed.

The fact that cerebral palsy does not get worse as a child ages means that they can plan for the future and a successful transition to adulthood. The life expectancy for cerebral palsy varies but is similar to the average life expectancy for individuals with mild cerebral palsy. 

The Goal of Moving from Childhood to Adulthood

The most important aspect of transitioning into adulthood is ensuring a younger person has access to resources that can provide secondary education information or job training and, eventually, housing and living independently (if applicable).

Children with cerebral palsy also need an added measure of security, including the confidence and social skills to talk with others and take advantage of opportunities.

Children with cerebral palsy should begin planning for adulthood around age 14, earlier than most other children. This ensures they have ample time to gain the confidence and skills needed to help them transition into adulthood more easily.

Learning to Manage Money

Money management is one of the most significant aspects of adulthood, and the sooner your child learns about it, the easier it will be once they reach adulthood.

While they’ll probably learn addition and subtraction in elementary school, once they reach their teens, consider opening a bank account for them. Show them how to make bank deposits and withdrawals, as well as how to manage their account.

Equally important, teaching all children, including those with cerebral palsy, about bill payments will help prepare them for the future.

Numerous websites online help children learn about money and bill payments. Still, it’s recommended to find someone who specializes in teaching children with disabilities about money management and bill payments for children with cerebral palsy.

Independent Living for Disabled Adults

Independent living for those with cerebral palsy encompasses a wide variety of scenarios, including:

• Living in a personal home
• Living in a group home or an assisted living setting
• Living with relatives
• Living with roommates
• Income-based public housing

No matter your child’s choice, you can start helping them learn to live independently early on. Of course, each child’s journey with cerebral palsy is different, and various factors need to be considered as they can affect their living situation, including:

• Access to transportation
• The ability or inability to cook for themselves and carry out daily living and housekeeping tasks
• The ability to maintain a job and make an income

For instance, if your child will likely always need assistance with meals and other daily living tasks, living with caregivers or relatives or in an assisted living home is a better option than living in their own home.

Depending on the severity of their symptoms, ability to perform daily tasks, and access to transportation, living independently is still possible for many. Hired help, such as personal assistants, cooks, maids, and other professionals, makes it possible.

Helping your child learn the skills needed to live independently early on will help them boost their confidence and provide them with an overall sense of well-being, regardless of where they live. You can start now by allowing your child to independently do as much as possible.

Working and Earning an Income

A common myth is that children with cerebral palsy will never be able to make enough money in adulthood to sustain themselves, which is untrue.

In fact, with Internet access, more and more people with disabilities can secure employment at home, and numerous employers offer positions that consider a person’s disability.

Start early by instilling a good work ethic in your child, whether it be making sure they complete home chores or school assignments.

If your child cannot work or find employment, many government resources can still help them achieve independence. These include Social Security disability insurance (SSDI), the food stamp program, medical insurance, and rental assistance.

Centers for Independent Living

Centers for independent living (CIL) are nonprofit private agencies that provide resources for people with disabilities to help them become independent, including:[1]

• Information and referrals
• Skills training for independent living
• Advocacy
• Counseling and emotional support
• Transition assistance

Transitioning to Adulthood with Cognitive and Mobility Issues

Not all children with cerebral palsy will have the ability to live independently or earn money on their own. Sometimes, cognitive or emotional issues limit people with cerebral palsy from becoming independent and finding gainful employment.

Or perhaps they are immobile and can’t get to and from work. Cerebral palsy covers a broad range of symptoms and associated diseases, ranging from mild to severe. With that comes different limitations in what children can do when transitioning into adulthood.

Government assistance is an option for people with developmental disabilities. Several programs provide financial assistance from childhood through adulthood for significantly disabled individuals.[2]

In an ideal situation, people who cannot live independently will have a home with a family member or loved one. Of course, being a caretaker 24/7 is not an easy task, but the payoff of security and stability can be beneficial as the child transitions to adulthood.

Hiring assistants and other caretakers to provide relief for family caregivers can be very helpful in managing caregiver strain.

Sometimes, caring for an adult with cerebral palsy becomes too overwhelming as additional needs and issues arise. Elderly parents cannot always physically care for their dependent children as they grow older.

Cerebral palsy residential living centers typically have medical staff, counselors, and therapists available to provide personalized care and support to each individual. There are private residential centers as well as state-funded living facilities. These may be good options for some individuals as well.