How Can A Babysitter Care For Kids With Medical Conditions-2?

Hope you found my article on how babysitters should deal with medical conditions like allergies and asthma (http://daycare.sulekha.com/care-corner_how-can-a-babysitter-care-for-kids-with-medical-conditions-1_blog_7971  informative.  I thought it would be appropriate to discuss how babysitters should deal 2 more medical conditions namely cerebral palsy, and sickle cell disease.

Cerebral Palsy or CP:

 
This is a long-term medical condition that causes brain damage and muscle problem with the condition varying from child to child. It could cause limitations in moving, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking. Some may have slight muscle problems while others could move only by use of wheel chairs and walkers, with some having problems in brain function, while others may have learning problems and delay in development.

A babysitter should ask the parents the following questions: 

In case a child uses a wheelchair, leg braces, or walker, does he/she always need it?

How does the child get into bed, use the bathroom and sit at the table?

In case the child has difficulty in swallowing does he or she need soft food or is it OK to eat normal food?

In case the child cannot speak, does he/she use any other form of communication like a sign language or a talking keyboard?

Entertaining a child with CP depends on how much he/she can understand and the mobility of the child. Parents can be asked to suggest activities that you can engage the child in; you could start with simple puzzles, coloring, and move to other activities later when you know the child better.

Some kids with cerebral palsy could have seizures; ask the parents what to do in case of a problem. Many such children also have less muscle control than other children, with some trying to convince you that they can go without assistive devices like leg braces. This can lead to injury, so be firm when you are in charge.

Sickle Cell Disease:

Caused by abnormally shaped red blood cells, it could cause various health problems in kids like periods of pain, usually in the arms, legs, or back known as "pain crises"; or shortness of breath and chest pain known as "acute chest syndrome". It could also make the child pale or dizzy.

A babysitter should ask the parents the following questions:

If the child has pain crisis does it usually affect a certain part of the body?  What should I do in a pain crisis?

Has your child ever had acute chest syndrome? What are the warning signs? What should I do if your child has symptoms of acute chest syndrome?

Are there any other symptoms (such as fever, dizziness, looking pale, or fatigue) that I should watch out for?

Cold temperatures trigger the pain crisis, so it is best to avoid taking the kid outdoors in winter. If you go swimming, confirm from parents what temperature is too cold for the child. Avoid dehydration in the kid by giving her/him water and other non-caffeinated drinks.

During the pain crisis the child could complain of pain in the back, arms, or legs, with a child with acute chest syndrome showing symptoms of coughing a lot, chest discomfort, and fever. It is best to get in touch with parents immediately if the child has fever, looks pale and dizzy.

Hope most babysitters find this article also equally informative.