Child & Family Development Child & Family Development

November 8, 2017

Cerebral Palsy: diagnosis and treatment at C&FD

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Child and Family Development occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech therapists evaluate and treat people with cerebral palsy.  

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a physical disability that affects movement and posture and is considered a common childhood disability.  17 million people worldwide are impacted by CP.

CP is classified into 3 types:

  • spastic: most common type; muscles are stiff and tight
  • nonspastic/dyskinetic: characterized by involuntary movements
  • mixed: combination of types

CP can affect different parts of the body, especially limbs (arms, legs) but also the face, neck and torso. These conditions can be associated with CP and should be treated:

  • pain
  • intellectual disability
  • non-ambulant
  • hip displacement
  • non-verbal
  • feeding and swallowing difficulties
  • epilepsy
  • behavior challenges 
  • bladder incontinence
  • sleep difficulties
  • blindness
  • deafness

Our pediatric therapists offer a free phone consult to determine if an evaluation or intervention would be beneficial.