Kid PT’s Top 5 Therapy Approaches to Help Children with Cerebral Palsy

Did you know that cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood movement disorder?  

At Kid PT, our physical and occupational therapists work with many children impacted in different ways by cerebral palsy. One of our friends, Aidan, made this video several years ago to spread awareness on living with CP and how it impacts his daily life.

CP is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and motor skills. It is caused by damage to the developing brain during pregnancy, childbirth, or the early years of life.

It can affect people in different ways, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include muscle stiffness or weakness, difficulty with coordination and balance, tremors, and problems with fine motor skills, such as writing or grasping objects.

CP is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured, but treatment and therapy can help individuals with CP manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. That’s where physical therapy and occupational therapy can play an important role.  The goal of therapy for CP is to improve mobility, whether it is to crawl, walk, run or use an assistive device, increased range of motion & flexibility to decrease contracture risk and improve muscle activation (tight muscles are harder to contract!), improve breath support for speaking, and improve gross and fine motor skills.    

Many parents have shared that they’re just told to wait and see or just keep doing what they’re doing- whether that is early intervention or outpatient care.  A frustration I have heard over and over again is that parents aren’t given their options.  The reality is that there are so many different therapeutic approaches and options out there and different children will respond to different ones at different times.  I didn’t say this was an easy route, but there is support along the way.  One new resource is called www.turnto.health and is helping support parents researching their treatment options. Overall, therapy is an important part of the treatment and management of CP, and it can help individuals with the condition improve their quality of life and reach their full potential. It is key to develop a customized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and goals.

Our therapists at Kid PT would like to share with you their top 3 therapy approaches that we use at Kid PT to spark change and support children on their journey!