Evaluation of parent's perspectives on rehabilitation of their child with cerebral palsy

The purpose of research: To reveal the attitude of parents raising a child with cerebral palsy to rehabilitation and information needs. The questions of research: 1. What are the main children, who has cerebral palsy, problems? 2. How do parents involve themselves into their children activities and participation? 3. What would help the parents to help out their children more? The subject of research: Attitudes and knowledge of parents of children with cerebral palsy. Research methods: Selection and sample. Subject – 10 parents who are raising children with cerebral palsy. Selection requirements: 1) A children neurologist approved cerebral palsy diagnosis. 2) The parents approval to participate in the research. Methods of data collection. Data is collected by having a semi structured interview and by submitting a descriptive questionnaire about social and demographic data. Results: the topics that emerged during the research: 1. The main problems of the children caused by cerebral palsy. 2. The parents involving themselves into the children activities and participation. 3. Help for the parents wanting to help their children. The subtopics of these topics were analyzed based on the ICF model with the man elements: body functions and structures, activities, participation and environmental factors. Insights: 1. Subjects reported that their children had problems such as epilepsy, developmental, language, learning, vision and eating difficulties. Children who had the most difficulty engaging in activities had higher levels of GMFCS (III-V). In the field of participation, children with cerebral palsy are active in their ability and health, not only at home but also in other settings. 2. Parents limit their activities and participation in order to protect their child from deteriorating health. It is noticeable that parents are more focused on therapeutic procedures than on the social and societal aspects of their child. 3. Parents raising a child with cerebral palsy are willing to involve themselves in the children participation at home, community and rehabilitation environment. 4. Factors such as providing parents with sufficient information about their child's diagnosis, treatment and perspectives, professionals and their counseling, the involvement of loved ones and others in the child's participation, and positive attitudes of family members, the public and the state to children with cerebral palsy would help parents