

Services Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Aquatic Therapy Animal-Assisted Therapy		Cerebral Palsy What is Cerebral Palsy? What Causes Cerebral Palsy? How Is Cerebral Palsy Treated? What to Expect When Your Child Is Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy Where can a parent get help? Links to additional information about Cerebral Palsy What Is Cerebral Palsy? Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term used to describe a group of conditions that result in muscle weakness and poor muscle control and coordination. Approximately 9,500 infants and young children are diagnosed with CP each year in the United States. Cerebral palsy is non-progressive; therefore, it does not worsen over time. However, symptoms can change during growth spurts. These symptoms may include uncontrolled movement, difficulty swallowing, speech and vision problems, abnormal sensation, mental retardation, and seizures. CP can affect one limb (monoplegia), both legs (diplegia), one side of the body (hemiplegia) or all limbs (quadriplegia). There are three types of CP. These include: Pastic (70-80% of all cases): Results in muscle spasticity or muscle resistance to movement Athetoid/Dyskinetic (10-20% of all cases): Results in slow, uncontrolled movements Ataxic (5-10% of all cases): Results in poor coordination Back to top What Causes Cerebral Palsy? CP results from damage to the brain that usually occurs before birth. Cerebral Palsy is not outgrown. What causes this brain damage has yet to be determined but certain risk factors have been identified and include: breech birth, complicated labor and delivery, low Apgar score, low birthweight and prematurity, multiple births (twins), bleeding during late pregnancy, and mothers with hyperthyroidism, mental retardation, and seizure disorder. Back to top How Is Cerebral Palsy Treated? Physical Therapy While attending physical therapy, your child will participate in activities that improve their ability to function in daily life. Therapy may include stretching, sitting, standing, and walking exercises that improve strength, balance, coordination and performance of functional activities. Children may also be trained in use of assistive and adaptive equipment (such as wheelchairs, walkers, and home modifications) and orthotic care (including bracing, such as AFOs, SMOs, etc.). It is essential that caregivers utilize the home exercise program established by a therapist. Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy focuses on the development of self-care skills and functional independence, improvement of arm and hand strength and coordination, and the need for and use of splints/braces, in addition to providing equipment recommendations. Speech Therapy Speech therapy may involve exercises to improve breath support and lip and tongue strength and movement. This can enhance speech as well as help with drooling or swallowing difficulties. In addition to physical, occupational, and speech therapy, activities may include: Medical procedures Family support services Assistive technology Orthotics Back to top What to Expect When Your Child Is Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy It is very difficult to predict an infant/child’s prognosis. As mentioned previously, the symptoms of CP do not worsen. It is important that parents/caregivers understand their child’s physical capabilities and limitations. Children should be encouraged to be as independent as possible and to participate in activities with their non-disabled peers. It is also critical for a parent/caregiver to work with the healthcare team to develop realistic goals for their child to help them obtain their optimal level of function. Back to top Where can a parent get help? If you have a concern about this diagnosis regarding your child, please contact your pediatrician. If your child’s doctor feels treatment is necessary, FAC’s occupational and physical therapists have extensive training in this area. Your physician can write out a prescription for evaluation and treatment, which can be faxed to our clinic: 651-738-9889. Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact our front desk and ask to speak with a therapist. Back to top Links to additional information about Cerebral Palsy Online United Cerebral Palsy National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Books Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Parent’s Guide by Elaine Geralis The Official Parent’s Sourcebook on Cerebral Palsy by James N Parker and Phillip M Parker Cerebral Palsy: A Complete Guide for Caregiving by Freeman Miller and Stephen J Bachrach Camp Courage Camps for children with physical disabilities and clinical camps for children with speech/ hearing/ language impairments 763-520-0504 Friendship Ventures (Camp friendship and Eden Wood Center) Friendship Venture’s two camps provide residential camping program for children and adults with developmental disabilities 1-800-450-8376 Camp Winnebago Camps for children with developmental disabilities, siblings, and friends 507-724-2351 Camp New Hope A camp for individuals with developmental and/ or physical disabilities ages 6 and older. Back to top