Percepção das cuidadoras frente ao diagnóstico de crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that affects movements and posture due to non-progressive brain injuries during development. The diagnosis of CP represents a challenge for families, impacting their dynamics and emotional health. This study aimed to understand the perception of caregivers in the face of the moment of their children's CP diagnosis, including how they received the information and how they reacted to this moment. This is a qualitative research, with the realization of six focus groups, involving 22 mothers and grandmothers of children and adolescents with CP from the municipality of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais. The Content Analysis revealed four thematic categories: maternal intuition, diagnostic trajectory, negative emotional reactions and spirituality. This study contributed to the understanding of the emotional experiences of caregivers in the diagnosis, highlighting the need for welcoming professional approaches that offer emotional support, clear information and spaces for dialogue to support families in this moment.