Cerebral Palsy Treatments and Therapies
Cerebral Palsy cannot be cured, but treatment can often improve a child’s capabilities. In fact, progress due to medical research means that many patients can enjoy near-normal lives if their neurological problems are properly managed. There is no standard therapy that works for all patients. Instead, the physician must work with a team of health care professionals first to identify a child’s unique needs and impairments and then to create an individual treatment plan that addresses them.
Some approaches that can be included in this plan are drugs to control seizures and muscle spasms, special braces to compensate for muscle imbalance, surgery, mechanical aids to help overcome impairments, counseling for emotional and psychological needs, and physical therapy, behavioral therapy, and occupational and speech therapy. In general, the earlier diagnosis and treatment begins, the better chance a child has of overcoming developmental disabilities or learning new ways to accomplish difficult tasks.
