• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cerebral Palsy Guidance

Answers and Assistance

877-862-8594phone iconCall
  • Cerebral Palsy
    • Types
    • Symptoms
    • Diagnosis
    • Prognosis
    • Causes
    • Associated Disorders
    • Gross Motor Classification System
    • Treatment
    • Life Expectancy
    • Myths
    • Risk Factors
    • Support Groups
    • Research
    • United Cerebral Palsy Association
    • Birth Injury Overview
  • Living With Cerebral Palsy
    • Daily Communication
    • Physical Fitness
    • Toilet Training Tips
    • Eating and Feeding Tips
    • Wheelchairs and Scooters
    • Walkers, Canes, and Standers
    • Falling Issues
    • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
    • Conductive Education
    • Tips For Better Sleeping
    • Traveling Tips
    • Sports
    • Bullying
    • Inclusive Playgrounds
    • Respite Care
    • Transitioning to Adulthood
    • Vocational Counseling
    • College Guide
    • Finding a Job
    • Having Children
    • Costs
  • Financial Assistance
    • Government Assistance
    • Special Education Assistance
    • Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
    • Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit
  • Our Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
young adult man engages in self study
Home > Cerebral Palsy > Living With Cerebral Palsy > Cerebral Palsy and Transitioning to Adulthood
Last Updated: May 05, 2022

Cerebral Palsy and Transitioning to Adulthood

Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Sarah Schulze, RN, CPNP
Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Sarah Schulze, RN, CPNP

This article has been fact checked by a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Sources of information for the article are listed at the bottom.

For any content issues please Contact Us.

There will come a point in time when your child with cerebral palsy becomes an adult. Transitioning to adulthood comes with struggles for everyone, but kids with cerebral palsy are particularly vulnerable. Focus on education, job training, and independent skills to make the transition easier.

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.

Therefore, the journey of preparing children with cerebral palsy for adulthood generally starts around age 14, earlier than most other children. This ensures that they have ample time to gain the confidence and skills needed to help them transition into adulthood more easily.

Managing 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 while in elementary school, once they reach their teens, consider opening a bank account for them and showing them how bank deposits, withdrawals, and managing their account works.

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

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 what choice your child may make, 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 more than likely always need assistance with meals and other daily living tasks, living with caregivers, relatives, or in an assisted living home is a better option than living in their own personal 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 make 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 do as much as possible on their own.

Making Money

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. The Centers for Independent Living (CIL) offers boundless resources for people with disabilities to help them make money and become independent, including:[1]

  • Job training
  • Special needs scholarships for college
  • Employment opportunities and referral services
  • Counseling and emotional support

If your child is unable to 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.

Transitioning to Adulthood with Cognitive Issues and Immobility

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 completely 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, and it doesn’t have to start when the child reaches adult age.[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 very helpful as the child transitions to adulthood.

Hiring assistants and other caretakers to come 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. Sometimes elderly parents cannot physically care for their dependent children as they grow older.

Cerebral palsy residential living centers generally have medical staff, counselors, and therapists on hand to help ensure each person receives adequate care. There are private residential centers as well as state-funded living facilities. These may be good options for some individuals as well.

Lifelong Financial Assistance for Your Child's Birth InjuryCerebral Palsy

Get Help Now

References

  1. ILRU directory of centers for independent living (CILs) and associations. (n.d.). Independent Living Research Utilization.
    Retrieved from: https://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory
  2. Federal programs for persons with disabilities. (2017, February 21). ASPE. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
    Retrieved from: https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/federal-programs-persons-disabilities
View All References
Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Sarah Schulze, RN, CPNP

Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Sarah Schulze, RN, CPNP

Sarah Schulze, RN, CPNP is a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She has extensive experience working with pediatric patients in primary care as well as adolescent mental health.

See Full Bio

Secondary Sidebar

Lifelong Financial Assistance for Your Child's Birth InjuryCerebral Palsy

Get Help Now
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy in Newborns
Cerebral Palsy in Toddlers
Severe Cerebral Palsy
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Ataxic
Atonic (Hypotonic)
Dyskinetic Athetoid
Dystonic
Hypertonic
Mixed
Non-Spastic
Spastic
Spastic Diplegia
Spastic Hemiplegia
Spastic Quadriplegia
Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
How Cerebral Palsy Affects the Brain and Body Parts
Cerebral Palsy Causes
Birth Asphyxia
Prolonged Labor
Delayed C-Section
Forceps Delivery Injuries
Vacuum Extractor Injuries
Nuchal Cord Birth Injuries
Uterine Rupture and Birth Injury
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)
Failure to Diagnose
Chorioamnionitis
Improper NICU Care
Traumatic Brain Injury
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
Hydrocephalus
Pitocin Errors
Anesthesia Errors
Infertility Drugs
Cerebral Dysgenesis and Cerebral Palsy
Jaundice
Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)
Placental Problems
Epidural Hematoma
Perinatal Stroke
Acquired Brain Injuries and Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Associated Disorders
Mobility Issues
Pain
Cognitive Issues
Developmental Delays
Cerebral Palsy and Post-Impairment Syndrome
Seizures
Epilepsy
Malnutrition
Respiratory Health
Hearing Problems
Vision Impairment
Arthritis
Depression
Sleep Issues
Dysphagia
Oral Health Issues
Skin Conditions
Digestive Issues and Health
Emotional Issues
Behavioral Disorders
Autism
Down Syndrome
ADHD
Diabetes
Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
Imaging Tests
Cerebral Palsy Prognosis
Cerebral Palsy Gross Motor Classification System
Cerebral Palsy Treatment
Cerebral Palsy Specialists
Nutrition Therapy
Chiropractic Care
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Medications
Seizure Medications
Anticonvulsants
Muscle Relaxants
Stem Cell Therapy
Surgery
Aquatic Therapy
Acupuncture Therapy
Botox Treatment
Hippotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy
Massage Therapy
Physical Therapy
Homeopathy
Yoga
Pilates
Intensive Suit Therapy
Medical Marijuana
Functional Electrical Stimulation
Osteopathic Manipulation
Anat Baniel Method and NeuroMovement
Pet Therapy
Cerebral Palsy Cure
Cerebral Palsy Life Expectancy
Cerebral Palsy Risk Factors
High-Risk Pregnancy
Risk Factor Causal Pathways
Premature Birth
Birth Complications
Post-term Pregnancy
Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Maternal and Fetal Infections
Blood Type Incompatibility
Multiple Births
Parental Habits and Health
Cerebral Palsy Support Groups and Organizations
Cerebral Palsy Research
Cerebral Palsy History
Facts and Statistics
Prevalence and Incidence
Cerebral Palsy Myths
Cerebral Palsy Prevention
Cerebral Palsy Misdiagnosis
United Cerebral Palsy Association
Living With Cerebral Palsy
Costs
Orthopedic Health
Neurological Health
Daily Communication
Physical Fitness
Abuse
Toilet Training Tips
Eating and Feeding Tips
Wheelchairs and Scooters
Wheelchair-accessible Vans
Walkers, Canes, and Standers
Adaptive Bikes
Affordable Transportation
Assistive Technology
Falling Issues
Home Modifications
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Conductive Education
Tips For Better Sleeping
Traveling Tips
Sports
Bullying
Inclusive Playgrounds
Respite Care
Faith
Engaging in the Arts
Transitioning to Adulthood
LGBT
Vocational Counseling
College Guide
Teacher Tips for Inclusive Classrooms
Finding a Job
Having Children
Veterans
Fostering or Adopting a Child with CP
Enjoying the Great Outdoors
Emergency Preparedness
Financial Assistance
Government Assistance
Title V MCH Benefits
Special Education Assistance
Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
Alabama
Huntsville
Alaska
Anchorage
Arizona
Phoenix
Arkansas
Little Rock
California
Los Angeles
Colorado
Denver
Connecticut
Bridgeport
Delaware
Wilmington
Florida
Jacksonville
Georgia
Atlanta
Hawaii
Honolulu
Idaho
Boise
Illinois
Chicago
Indiana
Indianapolis
Iowa
Des Moines
Kansas
Wichita
Kentucky
Louisville
Louisiana
New Orleans
Maine
Portland, Maine
Maryland
Baltimore
Massachusetts
Boston
Michigan
Detroit
Minnesota
Minneapolis
Mississippi
Jackson
Missouri
Kansas City
Montana
Billings
Nebraska
Omaha
Nevada
Las Vegas
New Hampshire
Manchester
New Jersey
Newark
New Mexico
Albuquerque
New York
New York City
North Carolina
Charlotte
North Dakota
Fargo
Ohio
Columbus
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City
Oregon
Portland
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Rhode Island
Providence
South Carolina
Columbia
South Dakota
Sioux Falls
Tennessee
Nashville
Texas
Houston
Utah
Salt Lake City
Vermont
Burlington
Virginia
Virginia Beach
Washington
Seattle
West Virginia
Charleston
Wisconsin
Milwaukee
Wyoming
Cheyenne
Medical Malpractice
Claim for Compensation
Lawsuit
Settlement
Statute of Limitations
Life Care Plan
Goals
Evaluation
Diagnosis
Care Team
Record Keeping and Documents
Birth Injury
Treatment
Causes
Failure to Monitor
Symptoms
Prognosis
Lawyer
Settlement
Lawsuit
Claim for Compensation
Infant Skull Fracture
Treatment
Symptoms
Causes
Prognosis
Lawyer
Settlement
Lawsuit
Claim for Compensation
Infant Brain Damage
Prognosis
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Lawyer
Lawsuit
Claim for Compensation
Settlement
Infant Wrongful Death
Causes
Intrauterine Fetal Demise (Stillbirth)
Claim for Compensation
Lawyer
Settlement
Lawsuit
Grieving the Loss of a Baby
Erb’s Palsy
Symptoms
Prognosis
Treatment
Causes
Lawyer
Settlement
Lawsuit
Claim for Compensation
Brachial Plexus Injury
Causes
Prognosis
Symptoms
Treatment
Lawyer
Lawsuit
Settlement
Claim for Compensation
Klumpke’s Palsy
Lawyer
Lawsuit

© 2023 CerebralPalsyGuidance.com · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer

The information provided by CerebralPalsyGuidance.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Living With Cerebral Palsy
  • Financial Assistance
  • Our Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
210 W. Division St. Syracuse, NY 13204

We provide nationwide assistance

Facebook Twitter
Learn About Our Editorial Guidelines