You can set better goals for your child if you have an idea of what they are facing. Check out books and websites supported by recognized medical organizations. Talk to your child's doctor about the typical symptoms of CP, and ask how those symptoms might evolve as your child gets older. Common symptoms include: Excessively stiff or loose muscles. Tremors. Lack of coordination. Involuntary movements, or movements that are too slow or too fast. Difficulty with gross motor skills (such as crawling or walking) and fine motor skills (such as picking up and manipulating small objects). Delays in motor development. Difficulty with speaking and eating. Seizures. Some children may experience additional neurological problems, such as intellectual disabilities, vision or hearing impairments, or mental health disorders. Depending on the type and severity of your child's symptoms, they may be at risk for developing a variety of secondary conditions. Ask your child's doctor about possible complications, and discuss ways to manage or prevent them. Some of the more common complications of CP include: Problems with skeletal development (including joint deformities, dislocations, and osteoarthritis) due to excessively stiff muscles. Some people with CP are also especially prone to bone fractures. Malnutrition resulting from difficulties with eating or swallowing. Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, related to the stress of dealing with CP symptoms. Lung diseases and breathing disorders. Imbalances in the eye muscles, leading to vision problems. You know your child better than anyone. Pay attention to what they struggle with and which therapies and coping strategies seem to work best for them. Take these insights into doctor's appointments and meetings with other members of your child's care team. For example, you might tell your child's doctor, "I've noticed that Micah walks more easily when he's listening to music, because he can time his steps with the beat. Can you refer me to someone who does music therapy for kids with CP?"
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One-sentence summary -- Research common symptoms and how they might change. Prepare for possible complications related to CP. Speak up about your child's special strengths and challenges.

There are a number of great resources to help you better understand depression. These resources can often help with a self-diagnosis, but seeing a doctor is better because even the most intelligent people can easily misdiagnose themselves and a medical professional would look for other possible causes first. You can use a variety of tools you can use to understand more about this disorder. Online surveys can help identify if you are depressed. They ask questions about your lifestyle, and often include multiple-choice questions to determine how you are feeling. Some surveys include a scale survey that allows you to place yourself on a scale of feelings. Brochures or pamphlets can provide statistics, references, and resources. Many public places like libraries, clinics, and universities have brochures and pamphlets on common illnesses. They often include short informational material like brochures that can give you a quick look at the disease. Non-profits or other recognized organization sometimes specialize in health disorders. Their websites will often provide helpful frequently asked questions. Organization like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) provide information on their websites about depression and other mental disorders. These websites can provide research and scholarly information. If you think you may be depressed, you may want to visit your doctor. Even specialty doctors such as OBGYNs, Endocrinologists, and Pediatricians have the resources and know-how to diagnose mental disorders like depression. In the end, you can be your own best research advocate. Take the time to research depression on your own using reliable materials. You can visit a library or an online research database to help you in your search. You can review the Diagnostic Statistic Manual (DSM), which is the leading book on mental health. It is the standard on classifying mental disorders and can be accessed by the public. JSTOR.org is an open database that allows you to review journals, newspapers, and books. This is a great scholarly resource that you can use to research depression symptoms and treatments.
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One-sentence summary -- Reflect and diagnose yourself. See your doctor. Research the signs and symptoms.

If you're feeling inadequate or immature, it probably stems from not finding and pursuing your true talents. Part of becoming an adult, in this sense, is reaching a degree of independence. Start by trying several jobs or activities to find what you're naturally skilled at. For example, you might volunteer at a hospital and discover that you're great at working with people or handling difficult situations. This might lead you to pursue a career that's people-oriented. Studies suggests that the people who are happiest with their lives find their natural talents and pursue them. This is more important than choosing a career based on popularity or income. Since no two people ever follow the exact same life path, your own development as a person will be unique. This can be difficult to appreciate since people live in communities and societies that often have expectations and age-related milestones. For example, your society might expect you to get an education, find a job, and start a family, in that order. Or, you might be expected to care for a family member instead of starting off on your own. It can be hard to know what to do when social expectations conflict with what you'd like to do with your life. Remember that research suggests that those who are happiest with their lives aren't necessarily those who chose their career path based upon its prestige. Find which activities, people, or things make you act with the most enthusiasm and passion. This will help you feel more independent and competent in your daily life. Avoid simply acting on an impulse. Instead, give some thought to what you're already motivated by and learn to use these abilities. For example, you may realize that you're passionate about teaching others. Use this knowledge to look for opportunities to use that enthusiasm. You may tutor classmates, teach in a school, or go to school to become an educator. Start by making a list of as many happy situations you can remember. Write down as many details regarding the events as you can remember. A list will help you figure out what it was about these situations that made you happy or energetic. You may notice that you were with the same few people. Or, maybe you found that you enjoy figuring out challenges. Since different things make different people happy, it's important that you know what you enjoy. For example, your list might have something like playing video games, playing the drums, or painting. This might lead you to realize that you're happiest when you're working with your hands. This is especially true if you're a young adult, relying on your parents to support you. Take steps to take care of yourself and your needs. This might mean getting a job to support yourself financially. Or, if you notice you're lonely, schedule time with friends to get some company. Avoid relying on others to take care of you and look after your needs. Part of growing up is recognizing that you are the one that's responsible for you. Once you're supporting yourself, it will become easier to make your own decisions and stand by them. While you're growing up, others often make all your decisions for you, be they major or minor ones. Part of becoming your own person is moving to make your own choices. You might start with smaller choices, like which classes to sign up for in school or where you want to eat. Gradually, start making larger life decisions for yourself. For example, if you're unhappy in your job, you can decide to quit or change careers. Or, if you're tired of living with your parents or a roommate, you can decide to move out on your own.
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One-sentence summary --
Discover your talents. Recognize that your life is unique. Figure out what you're passionate about. Think about what makes you happy. Become independent. Make your own decisions.