Objective:
This study aimed at understanding the way in which communication between families and children with cerebral palsy is established.
Methods:
This is a study with qualitative approach, conducted in a municipality in the countryside of the State of São Paulo, with six families of children with cerebral palsy living in the area of social vulnerability. Data collection took place in the first half of 2011 by means of semi-structured interviews. The symbolic interactionism was used as a theoretical-methodological benchmark. The thematic content analysis, according to Bardin, was applied as an analytical method.
Results:
The data analysis gave rise to the theme "Family Interaction", composed by its respective categories. The results show that families and children can develop strategies, from interaction, that go beyond the meaning of words, thus building an effective communication.
Conclusion:
The health care professionals can contribute through interventions, thus becoming instruments for enhancing the communicational process. Nevertheless, such skill was not considered; moreover; moreover, informational support was not realized as effective.
Nursing; Communication; Cerebral Palsy; Child; Family