Treatment of Cerebral Palsy can take many forms and depends on the severity of the case.

There is no standard therapy that works for all Cerebral Palsy patients. Drugs can be used to control seizures and muscle spasms, special braces can compensate for muscle imbalance. Surgery, mechanical aids to help overcome impairments, counseling for emotional and psychological needs, and physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy all may be employed.

Specialists needed may include:

Pediatric psychiatrist
Pediatric neurologist
Pediatrician
Orthopedist
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Speech pathologist
Psychologist
Clinical Social Worker
Case Manager

Treatment may include:

Physical Therapy:  A physical therapist specializes in improving the development of the large muscles of the body, such as those in the legs, arms and abdomen (gross motor skills).  Physical therapists help children learn better ways to move and balance.  They may help children with cerebral palsy learn to walk, use a wheelchair, stand by themselves, or go up and down stairs safely.  Physical therapists will also work on skills such as running, kicking and throwing, or learning to ride a bike.  Physical therapy usually begins in the first few years of life, or soon after the diagnosis of cerebral palsy is made. These therapists use specific sets of exercises to work toward the prevention of musculoskeletal complications. Physical therapy can help prevent muskuloskeletal problems, as well as helping your child perform common everyday activities.

Occupational Therapy:  An occupational therapist specializes in improving the development of the small muscles of the body, such as the hands, feet, face, fingers and toes. These therapists also teach daily living skills such as dressing and eating, as well as making sure children are properly positioned in wheelchairs. They may teach your child better or easier ways to write, draw, cut with scissors, brush their teeth, dress, and feed themselves. Occupational therapists will also help your child find the right special equipment to make everyday jobs a little easier.

Speech / Language Therapist:  A speech and language therapist helps develop better control of the jaw and mouth muscles, which can improve speech and language skills and eating abilities. They also help develop creative communication methods for those who can not speak. A speech and language therapist will work with your child on communication skills.  This means talking, using sign language, or using a communication aid.  Children who are able to talk may work with a speech therapist on making their speech clearer, or on building their language skills by learning new words, learning to speak in sentences, or improving their listening skills. Children who can not talk may learn sign language, or how to use special equipment such as a computer that actually talks for you.

Surgical Intervention for Cerebral Palsy

Surgery:  Surgery is not always necessary, but it is sometimes recommended to improve muscle development, correct contractures, and reduce spasticity in the legs. Before selecting any surgical procedure, make sure the doctor thoroughly discusses the risks involved, long-term effects and postoperative follow-up. 

Children with cerebral palsy often walk on their toes. This may indicate a tight heel cord. When other treatments for this fail, such as splints and braces, surgery may help correct it by lengthening the tendon. This surgery may help improve the child's ability to walk, improve balance, and prevent further deformity. Surgery is also available to relieve spacticity in the legs and hips of children. This surgery involves identifying sensory nerve fibers being the spinal cord, and then selectively cutting those nerve fibers therefore reducing spacticity. Surgery may not always be necessary, but in many instances it can help your child achieve his or her optimal level of functioning.

Drug Therapy:  Your child's doctor may prescribe drugs to prevent or control seizures associated with cerebral palsy. These drugs are very effective in preventing seizures in many children. Because there are different types of seizures, different drugs may be prescribed because no one drug prevents or controls all types of seizures. Such drugs may include Tegretol, Dilantin and Phenobarbital.  Drug therapy can also help reduce spacticity associated with cerebral palsy.  These drugs include Diazepam, Baclofen, and Dantrolene. Although drug therapy may not completely correct complications associated with cerebral palsy, evidence does show that it helps manage problems such as seizures and spactisity. 

Sensory Integration Therapy:  One other approach to help children with cerebral palsy achieve their optimal level of functioning is Sensory Integration Therapy. This therapy helps to overcome problems experienced by many young children in absorbing and processing sensory information.  Encouraging these abilities ultimately improves balance and steady movement. Therapies include stimulating touch sensations and pressures on different parts of the body. With the use of certain items, such as Styrofoam chips, water, or textured toys, this therapy will also motivate children to learn sequences of movements.

Adaptive Equipment:  Special equipment is also available for children with cerebral palsy.  Because of the muscle problems children with cerebral palsy have, your child's doctor or therapist may recommend that they use some special equipment to help them get around or do everyday activities.

A Wheelchair is sometimes used when a child cannot walk. This will allow the child to move from one place to another. Many children with cerebral palsy can use their arms to roll the wheels of their wheelchair themselves, and can move around without much difficulty at all.  There are also wheelchairs available that are motorized. This type of wheelchair has a motor that moves the wheels for the child.  There may be a joystick on one arm rest that the child can operate on his or her own.

A Walker is a piece of equipment usually made out of light metal. It most often will have four legs that are adjustable in height. Some children with cerebral palsy can walk, but have poor balance and may fall. They use a walker to help them balance and get around without the use of a wheelchair. You may also see a walker with wheels on it, as well as a basket to put some of the child's belongs in.

Because of the fine motor problems often associated with cerebral palsy, children may have a hard time using utensils for eating.  Special handles or grips are available for children who have trouble holding onto small objects, such as a fork or spoon. You may also find eating utensils that are specially designed for children with fine motor problems. They may be curved or bent, and are usually designed to fit the child's needs. Special grips and handles are also used on pencils and pens to make them easier for the child to hold and use. Orthotics, casts and splints are often used with therapy programs.

Treatment for Cerebral Palsy can be lifelong and expensive. If your child has cerebral Palsy due to a medical error, contact us to see if you are entitled to compensation that can help pay for treatment.

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