When your child is diagnosed with CP, it is important to find the right team of medical and health professionals to guide you and your child through their life stage changes. 

Having a team that supports your child’s health needs and provides good medical advice, whether related to your child’s CP or more generally, can be a positive experience.

Everyone’s situation is varied and it may take some time to find the right healthcare team for you, you child and your family. A paediatrician will often be involved in your child’s care, along with your GP. The team may also include other health professionals, such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speech pathologist.

You need to get to know each other, so you can build a trusted relationship. When you develop good communication with the team and share information, they can understand your child’s requirements and develop effective care plans.

The role of your healthcare team is to support your child’s optimal health needs and independence. Some of the areas that the team can support you with include:

• muscles and movements
• neurological issues
• gastrointestinal issues
• nutrition
• respiratory issues
• cognition and sensory issues
• skin conditions
• oral and dental health
• vision and hearing
• mental health

Early intervention will provide you and your child with the foundations to manage or prevent issues with body structure, pain and other medical conditions, as you work with your team to develop an effective health management plan.

Remember that it is really important to take care of your own health and wellbeing. Your GP is a great resource to help you build and maintain good physical and mental health.

In this section, you will find information to help you develop positive and connected relationships with the medical and allied health professionals who will provide your child with the most effective care and support.

You will find information about your child’s physical health and emotional wellbeing. Topics include muscles and movement, gut health, sleep, pain management, vision and hearing health, and mental health and support.

The resources in the below section also provide you with access to and information about the mental health and family supports available to parents and carers of babies and young children with CP.