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Treatment of Cerebral Palsy, CP
Therapy
With early and ongoing treatment the
effects of CP can be reduced. Many
children learn how to get their
bodies to work for them in other
ways. For example, one infant whose
CP keeps him from crawling may be
able to get around by rolling from
place to place.
Children younger than three years
old can benefit greatly from early
intervention services. Early
intervention is a system of services
to support infants and toddlers with
disabilities and their families. For
older children, special education
and related services are available
through the public school to help
each child achieve and learn.
Typically, children with CP may need
different kinds of therapy,
including:
Physical therapy (PT), which helps
the child develop stronger muscles
such as those in the legs and trunk.
Through PT, the child works on
skills such as walking, sitting, and
keeping his or her balance.
Occupational therapy (OT), which
helps the child develop fine motor
skills such as dressing, feeding,
writing, and other daily living
tasks.
Speech-language pathology (S/L),
which helps the child develop his or
her communication skills. The child
may work in particular on speaking,
which may be difficult due to
problems with muscle tone of the
tongue and throat.
The child may also find a variety of
special equipment helpful. For
example, braces (also called AFOs)
may be used to hold the foot in
place when the child stands or
walks. Custom splints can provide
support to help a child use his or
her hands. A variety of therapy
equipment and adapted toys are
available to help children play and
have fun while they are working
their bodies. Activities such as
swimming or horseback riding can
help strengthen weaker muscles and
relax the tighter ones.
New medical treatments are being
developed all the time. Sometimes
surgery, Botox injections, or other
medications can help lessen the
effects of CP, but there is no cure
for the condition.
Content Courtesy : www.nichcy.org
Note : Information herein is
provided for informational purposes
only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. You
should not use this information for
diagnosing or treating a medical or
health condition. If you have or
suspect you have a medical problem,
promptly contact your professional
healthcare provider. Please consult
your healthcare provider before
beginning any course of
supplementation or treatment.
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