Cerebral palsy is a disability that impairs a person’s motor skills, movement, and muscle tone. While there is currently no cure for cerebral palsy, there are a number of therapy and other treatments that can improve the lives of adults or children with cerebral palsy. At NAPA, we provide a diverse range of therapies to children, including cerebral palsy occupational therapy, CP physical therapy, cerebral palsy speech therapy, and feeding therapy. If your child or loved one needs our services, we will work closely with you to select the best therapies for them, creating a customized program specific to your child’s needs and your family’s goals. Let your child’s journey begin today by contacting us to learn more.
NAPA Center was founded by Lynette LaScala in 2008, after spending two decades traveling around the world in search of the best pediatric therapy for her son, Cody, who has cerebral palsy. Lynette made it her life’s mission to help him reach his full potential. Her journeys around the world inspired her to make the best therapy for cerebral palsy accessible to all families in need by providing all the most innovative tools and techniques under one roof, such as CME, SpiderCage, NeuroSuit, RedCord, and TrexoRobotics. On this page, we provide a brief overview of cerebral palsy speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and alternative therapy options.
Physical therapy treatment for cerebral palsy is a beneficial approach to challenge the child and help them achieve new developmental milestones. Physical therapy might focus on increasing balance and walking with adaptive devices and orthotics. It is recommended that you begin your child’s physical therapy as soon as possible to prevent any further complications. Physical therapy can help your child control their movements better, with improved balance. It can also build up their muscle and help them maintain their muscle tone. Furthermore, physical therapists will devise a special exercise program based on your child’s specific needs.
Many physical therapists will also use orthotics, which are devices used to train your child’s major muscle groups. These devices can include splints, braces, or casts to support your child’s movement and encourage proper growth and improvement.
Occupational therapy may focus on improving upper body function, posture and coordination to participate in day-to-day activities. With cerebral palsy, everyday tasks such as brushing teeth, writing, using scissors, and getting dressed can become very difficult. An occupational therapist can assist your child by evaluating your child’s fine motor skills and developing a specific cerebral palsy treatment plan. The treatment will usually focus on “positioning, reaching, grasping, and releasing.” This is all in an effort to improve your child’s daily tasks both at home and at school. Additionally, NAPA occupational therapists can implement sensory integration therapy for cerebral palsy if needed.
Cerebral palsy can affect parts of the brain and muscles in a child’s mouth that permit speech. Thus, many children with this disability have trouble speaking. Speech therapy can address different ways of communicating and swallowing impairments. The role of the speech therapist is to gradually improve your child’s ability to form words and speak clearly. If speech isn’t possible, they can teach your child different means of communication, like sign language. Moreover, children with cerebral palsy may have the tendency to drool or face difficulty when trying to eat. Speech therapy can help your child gain control over these muscles to slowly eliminate these issues. Learn more: Cerebral Palsy Speech Therapy: What’s All the Talk About?
There are various types of therapy for cerebral palsy. At NAPA, our therapists travel the world to find the best and most innovative traditional and alternative therapies for cerebral palsy. Below, we have listed additional CP therapy resources available in the NAPA blog:
To learn more about oxygen therapy for cerebral palsy, click here to read about hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Doctors may prescribe various forms of medication to patients with cerebral palsy who are experiencing conditions like muscle spasms. The medication will relax the child’s muscles and allow movement to become easier and more controlled. Other medications can treat secondary conditions caused by cerebral palsy, such as seizures and acid reflux.
Sometimes, surgery is the best option to improve your child’s condition. This is most commonly prescribed for patients with spastic cerebral palsy because it can correct areas with increased muscle tone. One such procedure is getting muscles or tendons lengthened. Doing so allows for less restricted movement.
NAPA Center is a world-renowned pediatric therapy clinic, offering pediatric therapy for children of all ages in traditional or intensive settings. With six clinic locations and intensive therapy pop-up sessions worldwide, NAPA is committed to helping children with cerebral palsy lead their happiest, healthiest lives. We offer traditional weekly therapy at our six clinic locations and we also specialize in intensive pediatric therapy with events hosted worldwide. Let your child’s journey begin today by contacting us to schedule a free phone screening.
