Rehabilitation for a Child with a Brain Tumor

If your child is having trouble moving and walking as a result of a tumor or treatment, physical therapy (PT) can help. PT helps improve strength, coordination, and movement through special exercises. PT is managed by a trained healthcare provider called a physical therapist. The therapist can help your child learn different ways to move. They can also show your child how to use special equipment, such as a leg brace or walker to help them safely walk. PT can be done on an outpatient basis. This means your child goes home each day. You will be taught what you can do at home to help your child recover. 

After treatment for a brain tumor, your child may have trouble doing daily tasks. These can include things like showering, dressing, and eating. A trained occupational therapist will show your child how to regain these skills and be as independent as possible. Occupational therapy (OT) may be done with specific exercises, special devices, or teaching your child a new way to do a task. The therapist may advise putting special equipment in your home to help with safety and mobility. These devices might include rails or grab bars in the bathroom. Health insurance may cover the cost of these things. But check your policy and talk with the therapist before buying anything.

It's normal for a child to be scared or sad during and after treatment for the brain tumor. Make it clear that the illness is no one's fault. During this time, your child may be helped by a pediatric psychologist or neuropsychologist. Brain tumors and their treatment can cause short- or long-term problems with behavior, mood, memory, and learning. These experts will do an evaluation. They will come up with a program to help your child move forward. They can help your child deal with the emotional stress of illness. They also can serve as an advocate for your child at school so that they get the attention needed.

Attention and memory can be affected by a brain tumor. Children can start to regain these thinking skills by doing simple exercises in workbooks, puzzles, and games. They can improve their ability to analyze and solve problems. Be sure to choose workbooks that are meant for your child's age. Make sure the exercises aren't too hard or too easy. These workbooks can be found at most retail stores and online. Talk about the exercises with your child's healthcare provider before starting them.

Communicating may be hard for a child recovering from a brain tumor. This is more likely if the tumor was in a part of the brain that controls speech and language. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can assess your child. The SLP can help treat any communication problems with speaking exercises, listening activities, or other methods. An SLP can also help with swallowing problems.