| Cerebral Palsy Foundation

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July 1, 2020

When you're looking at setting goals for kids with complex communication needs, don't forget about setting goals that are about them interacting in the classroom. It's not just about punching buttons. It's not just about saying vocabulary words. It's about talking with people and showing who you are. Some specific goals that you can look at are in four areas. Educational goals, social goals, inclusion goals, and goals and independence.

An image of Kelly Fonner and educational specialist

July 1, 2020

What Does a Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy Mean?

My name is Nathalie Maitre, I work at Nationwide Children's Hospital. I'm a physician and a researcher

Owen sitting up smiling in crib at the hospital with neonatal baby monitor on his head

July 1, 2020

Owen’s Story Isn’t Over, It Is Just Beginning

Owen is our third baby and after a healthy pregnancy and making it to 38 weeks, I thought we would coast into life with three kids and adapt to the beautiful chaos that is life outnumbered by little ones. Somewhere in between, I ended up watching as my newborn baby was packed up into a life-flight helicopter and whisked away before I even got a chance to hold him. I would do whatever it took to get to Owen at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, I would will him from hundreds of miles away to hang on, to fight long enough for me to get there – and then we could do “whatever it took” together.

Three siblings sitting on a rug with Owen (Age 1) who has CP sitting in the middle

July 1, 2020

Appreciation, Gratitude, Thankfulness

Sarah holding Taryn and kissing her on the cheek.

July 1, 2020

Meet Tylynn

After we got the diagnosis we met with Dr. Maitre the next day and she gave us a roadmap.

photo of 9 month old baby sitting and smiling at camera

July 1, 2020

Meet Taryn

She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 12 months & Constraint-induced movement therapy helped her recover the use of her left side.

Photo of 4 year old Taryn waering splints on both of her legs holding a sign at her dance recital

July 1, 2020

Meet Owen

Owen was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 6 months. By getting an early diagnosis his life changed forever.

Owen age 1 years old smiling looking behind his shoulder in the bath playing with a toy

July 1, 2020

How Does Cerebral Palsy Affect The Body?

Cerebral Palsy affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance. Depending on the part of the brain that is injured depends on how someone’s muscle tone will be effected. For people with spastic CP they have increased muscle tone because of the part of the brain that's injured. If causes very tight muscles which in turn effects the movement of the joints and of the limbs. For others who have dyskinetic CP they lose the ability to have voluntary control over their muscles, and they can have jerky and uncontrolled movement patterns.

Black and white photo of mother holding baby's feet

July 1, 2020

Understanding Hip X-Rays

If your child has cerebral palsy, there's a good chance that he or she will have a hip x-ray at some point or they may even require regular hip x-rays. It is important for you to understand the different components of a hip x-ray. Your doctor will be looking at the hip joint itself as well how well the bones are growing.

Illustration of a hip x-ray being reviewed in a light box by a Doctor, mother and her child

July 1, 2020

What is Constraint Induced Movement Therapy?

Upper limb therapies and interventions have been well studied in cerebral palsy. Different interventions that have good evidence are Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Bimanual Therapy. CIMT has been shown to be successful in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). CIMT uses a splint to physically constrain the uninvolved arm and encourage them to use the more involved or affected arm.

Drawing of hand next to drawing of hand in sling for movement constraint therapy

July 1, 2020

Thinking About Orthopedic Surgery- A Father & Surgeon's Perspective

As an orthopedic surgeon I take care of children from the time they're born all the way through to adulthood . My oldest patient I have is 87 years old. As part of my practice I'm able to take care of all of their musculoskeletal problems, their problems with their bones and their joints.

"I know that they're going to get better after" in white and yellow text over a pink background

July 1, 2020

Spine Development & Treatment

The spine is made up of many individual bones called vertebrae joined together by muscles and ligaments. Flat, soft discs separate and cushion the vertebrae from rubbing against each other. Because the vertebrae are separate, the spine is flexible and can bend. Together the vertebrae, discs, muscles, and ligaments make up the vertebral column or spine.

Illustration of Spine with a brace on purple background

July 1, 2020

Optimizing Neuroplasticity

A lot of parents don't realize that their baby, all the skills that they have. So they can look at you, they can follow you. They're already starting to imitate you, and through the first few months of life, they're already starting to learn to reach and grasp toys, and to have nonverbal communication with you.

Drawing of child sitting down picking toys out of a box

July 1, 2020

What is the General Movements Assessment?

Children with cerebral palsy experience brain damage around birth or before birth. So the language of the brain in other words, the way they will move, will be different from typical movements. So by looking at their movements, we will understand that there is something that is wrong in the brain.

Four babies moving their limbs against a teal background to represent general movements assessments

July 1, 2020

The 3 Principles of Least Dangerous Assumption

When you don't have enough evidence about a student's performance, assume they can do whatever you're asking them to do.

White words on blue background "3 Principles of the Least Dangerous Assumption"

July 1, 2020

Hip Development & Treatment Options

In general, children with cerebral palsy will have stiffness around the hips and they tend to develop atypical hip positioning as a result of their spasticity. They will develop hip flexion contractures, abduction contractures, and they will have difficulty with seating as well as bathing and hygiene.

July 1, 2020

What is Gross Motor Function Classification System

Drawing of doctor looking at GMFCS scale 1-5 from walking to wheelchair user

July 1, 2020

My Child's Diagnosis Does Not Define Her

What we learned from our defensive lifestyle is that it’s normal to feel this way. It is a lot of information to process all at once and it’s an emotional rollercoaster immediately following a CP diagnosis. We realized that our diagnosis wasn’t what defined our child. She is an amazing little girl who is full of personality, she isn’t a fragile flower that needs to be sheltered, and by realizing this we were able to go on the offensive, and attack the challenges head on.