Scoliosis

Scoliosis Disability for Children

Scoliosis is a physical condition that primarily affects children. The medical condition is defined by an atypical curvature of the spine. Scoliosis disability occurs most often during a person’s growth spurt, just before puberty, which is why children are most affected by it.

Doctors have yet to pinpoint the cause of scoliosis, although evidence strongly suggests it involves hereditary factors, as the disorder tends to run in families. Other causes could be neuromuscular conditions, like cerebral palsy, birth defects affecting the spine, or injuries/infections of the spine.

Does Scoliosis Have to Be Treated? What are the Options?

Most children sent to a doctor through their school scoliosis screening program have mild curvatures – these usually don’t need treatment. When treatment for scoliosis is needed, the best treatments are determined by the person’s age, how much they’re likely to grow, the degree and pattern of the curve, and the type of scoliosis.

Doctors typically recommend observation, bracing, or surgery:

Observation: A physician may monitor patients without treatments, re-examining every few months while the patient is still growing.

Bracing: Doctors can sometimes suggest their patients wear a brace to prevent a curvature from getting worse in patients who are still growing. A child with scoliosis nearing the end of growth, bracing becomes dependent on how the curve affects the child’s appearance.

Surgery: For curvature that’s severe, physicians will recommend corrective surgery to straighten the spine, or stop it from getting worse will the child is still growing.

Other treatment options that’ve been utilized for scoliosis in children include electrical stimulation, dietary supplements, and exercise. But, studies haven’t show these treatments are consistent in preventing spine curve progression.

Disability for Kids with Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a disability in Canada, meaning families can apply for both the Child Disability Tax Credit and Child Disability Benefit programs.

Designed for families to help manage medical conditions like scoliosis, these income tax refunds provide financial support, potentially offsetting costs for bracing, surgery, or other forms of scoliosis treatment for children. And the sooner a child is tested and treated for scoliosis, the better their well-being and general health will be in the future.

The National Benefit Authority can assist you and your child in receiving the Child Disability Tax Credit and Child Disability Benefit for scoliosis.

Accessible only after completing the long and complex application process, our Benefits Specialists simplify the entire procedure, positioning you for the maximum monetary refund with minimum effort on your part.

Let us help you get the money you deserve – contact The NBA for details on claiming your Child Disability Tax Credit for scoliosis.