It can be so hard to figure out exactly what's going on with our kids, especially when they have cerebral palsy. It feels like everything gets put under that one umbrella, even when we know there might be more to the story.

It's really important to remember that cerebral palsy doesn't explain every challenge our children face. They might be struggling with things that aren't directly related to cerebral palsy, and those things deserve attention too.

Today’s episode highlighted a recent study about just how common it is for children with cerebral palsy to also have other diagnoses, like ADHD and autism.

The study found that two-thirds of children with cerebral palsy also had either autism, ADHD, or an intellectual disability. This figure means we need to be proactive about getting our kids screened for these other conditions if we begin to notice impacts on learning and communication

What makes a therapy controversial? (Part 1)

On our last podcast episode “how to ask for a second opinion” I mentioned a therapy we tried when our son was younger, saying I wished I had done more research and asked for second opinions from our medical team. This brought about more questions and conversation about all the therapies available and families wanting to know, what does the research say?

I ask Dayna, why are there controversial therapies out there available to families and why are they considered to be controversial? We start with covering off Vojta and Bobath (Neurodevelopmental treatment - NDT).

Dayna explained how the controversy around these therapies came from the mix of new knowledge and old knowledge and how it all came about with the best intentions.

Dayna also discussed Bobath therapy (NDT) and how instrumental the Bobaths were in helping understand cerebral palsy. Dayna was a Bobath practitioner and can look at it herself and acknowledge that she didn't see the outcomes she had hoped for and can understand why it is now below the “worth it line”.

All this to say, this is why continuing to research and staying up to date on research outcomes is so important as a duty of care in the role of an allied health professional.

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This week's podcast episode focused on a question that I'm sure many parents have asked themselves: how to politely but confidently ask for a second opinion when unsure or unhappy with a medical diagnosis, outcome, or lack of outcome.

If you have concerns about the care of your child or loved one, don't hesitate to voice them. You can politely ask for a second opinion by expressing your worries and requesting a referral to another specialist. We also discussed the importance of seeking out evidence-based interventions and not being swayed by anecdotal evidence or personal testimonials.

By staying informed, asking the right questions, and trusting our instincts, we can work together with healthcare professionals to ensure our children receive the best possible care.