For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of being a mama and for equally as long, I just couldn’t comprehend the dream coming true, for me. Yet, I had NO frame of reference or role models for mamas with CP.
Discover how living with cerebral palsy has made me a more patient, adaptable, and intentional mom—and why disability can be a strength, not a setback.
This research studied falls in ambulatory children and adults with CP specifically asking how often they’ve fallen, fall-related injuries experienced, circumstances around the fall, the level of fear or concern about future falls, and the extent to which they do or don’t avoid certain activities due to their concern about falling. This study sets a strong foundation for future fall research, quantifying the breadth and depth of the problem across a large spectrum of age and walking ability.
This recent study found that over half of children and young people with Cerebral Palsy have more than one movement disorder, which is more common than previously thought.
Ian "Two Guns" Cannon shares his story of overcoming adversity and empowerment through adaptive boxing.
This review explores how muscles adapt to various forms of exercise in children and adolescents with CP.
Early diagnosis begins with a medical history and involves using neuroimaging, standardized neurological, and standardized motor assessments that indicate congruent abnormal findings indicative of cerebral palsy. Clinicians should understand the importance of prompt referral to diagnostic-specific early intervention to optimize infant motor and cognitive plasticity, prevent secondary complications, and enhance caregiver well-being.
An update to the current understanding and potential of stem cell therapies for CP.
Intervention to improve function for children and young people with cerebral palsy needs to include client-chosen goals and whole-task practice of goals. Clinicians should consider child/family preferences, age, and ability when selecting specific interventions.
In 10% to 15% of cases, there is no clear cause of CP. There is increasing recognition that genetics plays a part, but no standardized approach to genetic testing in patients with CP exists. In this study we asked the question whether both people with and without known risk factors for CP should have genetic testing.
This study highlights the importance of monitoring and managing chronic conditions in adults with cerebral palsy. It also provides important information that can help healthcare professionals better understand the health needs of this population.
Our research shows that higher Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was associated with a greater risk of fracture, which is opposite of what we would expect. When we picked apart the BMD ratio we found that bone size had the strongest association with fracture risk, such that smaller bones had a greater risk.
As spring approaches, millions of high school seniors get one step closer to their career and to becoming the person they have dreamed about growing into since they were children. Receiving college acceptance letters is one of the most profound experiences in a young adult’s life. Moving out of your childhood home and stepping into the real world is a majorly exhilarating life event.
This study tested the safety and effectiveness of a neuroscience-based, multi-component intervention designed to improve motor skills and sensory processing of the more-affected arm and hand in infants with CP where one side is more impacted than the other (asymmetric CP).
This comprehensive review of the research evidence surrounding supportive stepping for individuals, GMFCS IV and V, provides helpful information for families to make practical decisions about for whom, when, and how long to use a supported stepping device (also known as gait trainers).
This comprehensive review of the research evidence surrounding supportive standing for individuals, GMFCS IV and V, provides helpful information for families to make practical decisions about for whom, when, and how long to use a standing device.
Speech impairments like dysarthria are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP) which can greatly affect participation across environments. Our study examined how speech impairment severity changes over time in 101 children with CP at 4, 6, 8, and 10 years of age.
Jerron Herman, dancer, actor, trainer and more describes how he moves with spastic hemiplegia...and it might just surprise you!
Author summary on stakeholder perspectives of pediatric powered wheelchair standing devices.
In cerebral palsy (CP) muscles are often shortened so much that they restrict joint range of motion and the muscles themselves are weak. Thus, ‘shortness’ and ‘weakness’ are two important needs that clinicians must address.
We studied how common pain was thought to be due to muscle spasticity in the legs or arms is in children/adolescents with CP.
The Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy Functional Impact Scale is a new tool useful measuring the functional impact of dyskinesia on children's movements and postures and the perceived impact of dyskinesia on daily activities. It can can help identify priorities for intervention.
This systematic review looks at all available evidence for pharmacological/neurosurgical interventions for managing dystonia in individuals with cerebral palsy to inform the AACPDM care pathway.
The Dystonia Care Pathway was updated in 2024 based on best available evidence. The goal of the these Care Pathways is to help Health Care Professionals understand the research evidence on the topic so that they can make clinical decisions for the care of the individual.