Cerebral palsy is a lifetime disorder, but with customized care, its symptoms
and complications can be minimized so patients can live the fullest, healthiest
lives possible.
To help patients and their families on the way to optimum health, we’ve
created a resource outlining the different treatment options available for
patients with CP. We have also included links to Kentucky organizations that
offer therapy for cerebral palsy in each category.
Occupational therapy
While physical therapy aims to improve overall motor function and muscle
capabilities, occupational therapy focuses on helping children become more
self-sufficient and completing everyday activities. An occupational therapist
will show a child how to break down more complex activities into smaller, more
manageable movements and how to adapt their bodies and movements to complete
tasks.
Some particular activities that occupational therapy focuses on for children
with CP include:
Grooming, such as brushing teeth and bathing
Grasping objects and tools, such as a pencil or phone
Using the computer
School activities, such as holding books, opening lockers, and riding the
bus
Speech therapy
Cerebral palsy not only affects the muscles in the arms and legs, but it can
also alter the language centers of the brain. Many children with CP learn to
overcome difficulties with language through speech therapy. Some children lack
the muscle control to create certain sounds, while others having hearing loss
that makes it difficult to learn the proper speech sounds.
Like most treatments for CP, speech therapy is tailored to the needs of each
child. Articulation drills can help children who want to master certain sounds.
Children with severe CP may not be able to speak, so speech therapy focuses on
teaching these children to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
devices. Even simple communication techniques like winking or hand signals can
be mastered in speech therapy so a child can communicate with caregivers and
friends.
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