Hi I am new to the forum. My grandson had surgery for arnold-chiari malformation last year. He is a three year old child and was having head pain for several months before he was diagnosed and then had surgery at age 2. Since then he appears to have less pain, however he has never spoken so we have to guess at what he is feeling. Are there other forum members who have children with this medical condition? How have others felt after surgery? What are their recovery experiences?
We want to do everything we can to help him. It is hard to know what to do when someone is non verbal and can not easily communicate their needs.
Thank you for this forum.

Grma

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

From on grandmaw to another sad to hear what you all are going through. Here is a forum for you the check out. There you will find some kind fellow members to help you out.

Arnold Chiari Malformation & Syringomyelia:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum71.html

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hi Darlene
Thanks for the positive and healing wishes we sure need them. I really appreciate another grandma in the mix...we got to stick together!
I guess I am looking for anything other people have used to help connect with children who have had their development delayed or arrested due to experiencing significant pain for a number of months during critical growth periods. I think in part that is what has harmed my grandson. His head really hurt from the time he was about10 months until he was about 28 months, before that I think the compression to his spinal cord interfered with his ability to balance, sit upright and walk.
Do you know of any therapy/teaching specific for non-verbal children afflicted with Arnold Chiari?