Exercise is often a challenge for children with cerebral palsy, yet they need physical activity to promote their overall health and wellness. Children with cerebral palsy often have reduced muscle tone and a limited range of motion. If you are caring for a child with cerebral palsy, you understand that child may require special medical... Read More

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) helps children and adults develop their ability to use a hand or limb that has been weakened by cerebral palsy. This innovative, non-invasive therapy is an excellent option for helping your child with cerebral palsy improve their fine motor skills and independence. What Is Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy? The philosophy behind CIMT... Read More

Between 25 and 30% of children with cerebral palsy also have a behavioral disorder. Many other children with cerebral palsy also find interacting socially with others difficult. Behavioral modification can help these children regulate their bodies and moderate their emotions. What Is Behavioral Modification? Behavioral modification is a common psychotherapy technique that replaces problematic cerebral... Read More

When treating individuals with cerebral palsy, treatments are not a one-size-fits-all approach. Several methods are currently available to treat disabilities that result from the condition, from physical and recreational therapies to oral medications and surgeries. In recent years, researchers have discovered that stem cell transplantation may be an effective way to restore certain abilities in... Read More

When your child needs a particular medication, therapy, treatment, or assistive device, your request to an insurance company, government agency or other funding source can sometimes be denied. Oftentimes they will require a letter of medical necessity, which is typically provided by your physician or therapist. Letters of medical necessity are critical to getting coverage... Read More

Cerebral palsy can result if a baby’s cerebral motor cortex does not develop normally during fetal growth, or if the child experiences a brain injury before, during, or after birth. Though this brain damage cannot be repaired, various treatment options can sometimes improve a child’s capability and prognosis. Generally speaking, the earlier treatment begins, the... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor Many children with cerebral palsy experience some type of sensory impairment. A study by a Spanish university concluded that children with CP showed reduced sensitivity to non-painful stimuli but enhanced sensitivity to painful stimuli compared to healthy individuals. What’s behind these sensitivities and what can parents and... Read More

By John Lehman It may surprise you to learn that horseback riding is one of the many treatments available for children with cerebral palsy. The treatment is called hippotherapy and it has been used to treat disabled children and adults alike since the 1960’s. Research has shown that hippotherapy has a positive effect on both... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop Some children with cerebral palsy require physical therapy. Some don’t. Once the diagnosis is made, and the type of cerebral palsy is determined, a team of health care professionals will work to identify specific impairments and needs, and then develop an appropriate plan to address the core disabilities that affect the... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor Years ago, before the invention of augmentive communication devices, children who displayed an inability to communicate were assumed to suffer from severe developmental disabilities and treated as such. Imagine the heartache and frustration of a child with sound cognitive abilities or mild to moderate learning disabilities trapped... Read More