Pass this along to the Parents...
Everything here is contingent upon your providing more info... how was the damage
to the basal ganglia diagnosed? Where, specifically, is the damage located? How
precisely is the damage located?
If the damage is not in the tracts leading into the thalamus (putamen and globis
pallidus where "small damage" can have relatively-large effects), then the
prognosis is good, and you should "just" "enrich" your Infant's environment,
=Gently=, but as much as possible, as soon as possible. You can do this through
extra efforts at what's "just" Good-Parenting... lots of gentle touch, good
eye-contact, lots of "baby-talk", =always= responding to any signs of progress with
gentle, Loving, Focused, =Attention=... and remember to =Smile= Joyfully right into
your Infant's eyes each time your Infant shows Progress in Learning new stuff. A
=Gentle= "frown" when things "go awry" will help your Infant Understand that things
have "gone awry".
Don't be a "wimp", though, or your Infant will "take-over", and you'll not be happy
with the ultimate outcome.
Get some Interesting crib toys, rug toys, etc., and vary them continually so that
your Infant will always have =Novel= stuff to Explore. Give "hints" when necessary
(when your Infant shows behavioral signs of "frustration"), but always let your
Infant Discover "the key thing".
When your Infant wants to sleep, let your Infant sleep (of course, in accord with
your Family's regular routine... just like any Infant).
Hugs, kisses, gentle "cooing"... give your Infant "the works"... the Bonus is
you'll Bond for Life, have "Fun", and Feel-Good about your Parenting, too.
Throughout all of this, be in contact with as many Professionals as you can afford
until you're Satisfied that your Infant's behavior is developing "normally".
If the "problem" is as small as you say, there's no "mystery", and not really any
"problem"... if you "just" Love your Infant... Infant brains have =Enormous=
Capacity for compensating for small injuries... and even some large injuries.
The "secret" is "just" Loving "'til the fat lady sings"... which is =the= thing to
do with =all= Infants. ken collins
Bkerber1 wrote:
> Could someone tell me what damage to the basil ganglia will do to my 2 month
> old granddaughter. She had meningitis and also has possible damage in 3 small
> areas of the cortex, which after reading, have found those may possibly rewire.
> I know there is definate damage to the basil ganglia but dont know if its
> possible it will self heal or is the damage to that area permenant? Thank you
> for your help
> Becky Kerber