Helping Your Child With CP Build Confidence and Independence
Growing up with cerebral palsy (CP), I always wanted to do as much as I could on my own. I knew I had physical challenges, but I also knew I was capable.
My mom played a huge role in helping me find that balance — pushing me when I needed encouragement, stepping back when I needed space, and always making sure I felt seen for who I was, not my diagnosis.
Thanks to my mom’s support, confidence and independence became part of who I am. She knew when to encourage me and when to speak up so others could see my potential.
Her guidance shaped how I navigated school, friendships, and the challenges that came with growing up with CP. The lessons we learned together made a lasting impact — not just on my independence, but on the way I see myself and the world around me.
Why Confidence and Independence Matter for Kids With CP
When parents first learn their child has cerebral palsy, their immediate concern often revolves around whether they will be able to live independently or need assistance throughout their life.
Self-esteem and independence help kids with cerebral palsy navigate the world with a sense of control over their lives. When children feel capable, they are more likely to try new things, build relationships, and develop problem-solving skills that will help them in adulthood.
Building self-reliance with cerebral palsy is a journey that takes time, but can be empowering. It starts with a mix of therapy, speaking up for yourself, and having a solid support system around you.
As individuals with cerebral palsy go through their daily lives, skills that boost both physical and emotional well-being play a role in developing confidence.
Occupational and physical therapy help with motor skills and make everyday tasks easier to manage, while speech therapy can improve one's communication, and help children express themselves more clearly.
Encouraging a ‘You Can Do It’ Mindset
As a child, my parents could see that I wanted to be as “normal” and self-sufficient as my friends. Starting at a young age, they urged me not to hide in public due to having cerebral palsy and encouraged me to do things that pushed me to be independent.
Growing up, the thing I wanted most for myself was to work. Some of my jobs included coaching soccer, being an instructor at a martial arts studio, working in the legal field as a courier, and working in theatre on Broadway shows.
Working has played a major role in helping me gain independence despite having cerebral palsy.
These are 3 ways that working has helped me:
- Gaining financial independence: Having a job allowed me to earn my own income, making me less dependent on my parents. This gave me the ability to make decisions on how to spend my money and showed me that once I spent it, it was gone.
- Overcoming challenges: Dealing with problems at work definitely helped my self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. I thrive in contributing to a team, especially when I face mobility challenges that force me to problem-solve and adapt.
- Developing skills: My career path often required me to develop skills like effective communication and time management. This helped me grow personally and professionally and made me more independent.
By working, I was paving my path while navigating challenges and proving to myself and the doubters throughout my life that I am capable of not only taking on different types of opportunities but also showing I can live a fulfilling life with CP.
Being an Outreach Coordinator at Cerebral Palsy Guide has been a blessing, as I can tie my passions for physical therapy, health advocacy, and helping others into one!
Knowing When to Step Back: A Parent’s Perspective
Being the parent of a child with disabilities can be challenging, but it can also be very rewarding. You want the best for them, the best assistance, the best education, basically the best tools for life. This isn’t a job to be handled by any one person. Let your family help.
Work with your child’s therapists: physical, speech, and occupational therapy, and of course, teachers.
"Use the tools that are available. Cerebral Palsy Guide is an incredible asset, one I wish were available to me 35 years ago."
— Amie’s mom
Recognize that not everyone will see your child’s potential as clearly as you do. There was one occasion in Amie’s childhood that stands out clearly to me as an example of her potential being undermined.
Her teacher gave her a grade of 100 on a spelling test. I knew that this was not possible as we had practiced the words daily and Amie did not know them.
When confronted, the teacher told me that she only graded Amie on the words she got right. She didn’t want Amie to feel bad. Needless to say, that ended that day, and eventually, Amie achieved those 100s on her own.
Helping Your Child Make and Keep Friends
Friendships are an important part of growing up, but for kids with cerebral palsy, making and keeping friends can sometimes be challenging.
Social situations might feel intimidating, and not everyone understands CP. But with the right support, kids can build strong friendships and feel included.
Here are 5 ways parents can help their child with CP make friends:
- Encourage social opportunities: Clubs, sports, and activities help kids meet others with similar interests.
- Teach kids how to talk about CP: Helping kids explain their disability in simple terms can clear up misunderstandings and make socializing easier.
- Let friendships happen naturally: It’s okay to offer guidance, but forcing friendships can backfire. Give kids space to form their own connections.
- Support, but don’t overstep: Be there to listen and offer advice, but let kids handle social situations on their own.
- Find friends who see the person, not just CP: The best friends focus on who someone is, not their disability. Parents can help create those opportunities.
For me, playing soccer and getting involved with theatre opened the doors to making friends. With encouragement and the right support, kids with CP can build friendships that last.
Letting Kids Be More Than Their Diagnosis
When I was a child, my parents encouraged me to go up to the counter to pay the bill. This was very helpful because it forced me out of my comfort zone with strangers and improved my communication skills. It also showed people that individuals with disabilities are just as capable of handling everyday tasks!
"You are your child’s best advocate. Push them. Praise them. Love them. But please don’t make them feel different. Let them know that they are different but in the best possible way."
— Amie’s mom
I always wanted to be seen for who I was, not just for my cerebral palsy. My parents helped by making sure I had opportunities outside of therapy and doctor’s appointments.
I played sports, joined clubs, and found hobbies that made me feel confident. Being involved in things I loved helped me grow as a person and reminded me that CP was just one part of me — it didn’t define everything I could do.
Encouraging kids to explore their interests is so important. Whether it’s art, music, sports, or something else entirely, finding a passion outside of CP can make a huge difference.
This gives kids something to focus on, builds confidence, and helps them connect with others who share the same interests.
Raising a Confident, Independent Child With Cerebral Palsy
Confidence and independence don’t happen overnight — they take time, encouragement, and the right support. Looking back, I’m grateful my parents pushed me to try new things, let me figure things out on my own, and reminded me that CP didn’t define what I could achieve.
Every child’s journey is different, but one thing remains the same: When kids feel believed in, they start believing in themselves. With patience, encouragement, and opportunities to grow, kids with CP can gain the confidence to take on the world in their own way.
Written by:Amie KroessigAmie Kroessig is a Patient Advocate and Outreach Coordinator for Cerebral Palsy Guide. In her role, she provides resources and support to families and caregivers of children with cerebral palsy to help give them the quality of life they deserve.
