Individuals who have cerebral palsy often need help from their families and medical specialists throughout their lives. Many types of healthcare professionals are involved in treating those with CP. Depending upon the type of CP your child has, as well as any additional impairments, the medical treatment team may include: Physical therapy. Physical therapy may be recommended shortly after the diagnosis is made in order to help your child learn skills such as sitting, walking, or using a wheelchair. It also may help improve muscle strength, balance, and coordination, as well as prevent muscles from becoming too tight. Physical therapy may involve fun activities to tone muscles, like swimming and horseback riding. Braces, splints, and casts. Using braces, splints, or casts may improve range of motion in joints and joint stability, prevent contracture, and improve hand or leg function. Braces can compensate for muscle imbalance. Botox. This drug can be injected into spastic muscles to loosen them. It is especially helpful for children younger than 5 years old, and when used in combination with casting. Medication. Some medications (such as oral diazepam and baclofen) can control or prevent seizures or muscle spasms, ease muscle stiffness, or reduce abnormal movements. If … Continue reading →

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder that causes physical disabilities (and cognitive impairments and epilepsy in some cases). Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls movement. CP often causes musculoskeletal issues as well (the impairments associated with CP result from muscles persistently being too contracted [in a majority of cases] or not contracted enough). This results in issues with fine motor coordination, tremors, joint and bone deformities, balance, and issues with walking. Each year, nearly 10,000youth are diagnosed with cerebral palsy, making it the most widespread disabling condition among children. While a large number of diagnoses are rooted in medical malpractice, few of the affected families will reach out for any legal advice or action. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of non-progressive motor conditions that cause physical disability. It is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain, whichcan occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or after birth up to about age three. Cerebral refers to the cerebrum, which is the affected area of the brain (although the disorder may involve other parts of the brain, such as the cerebellum), and palsy refers to a disorder of movement. Limitations in … Continue reading →

Kenneth F. Swaiman, MD Dr. Kenneth Swaiman is an internationally known child neurologist and EmeritusProfessor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School where he was the director of the Division of Child Neurology for several decades. He also served as Interim head of the Department of Neurology. During his tenure there, he was involved in the training of almost 100 pediatric neurologists from the United States and Canada, as well as many other countries. His biography is cited in Whos Who in America, Whos Who in the World, Whos Who in Science and Engineering, and The Best Doctors in America. Dr. Swaiman was the Chairman of the organizing committee and first President of the Child Neurology Society (CNS). He received the Hower award, the highest award of that society and the Founders Award at its 25th Anniversary meeting as well as The Lifetime Achievement Award for Neurologic Education by the American Academy of Neurology. As the chairman of the organizing committee of the Professors of Child Neurology, he was its first President and a prime mover and also first president of the Child Neurology Foundation. He was a member of the organizing committee of the International … Continue reading →

What is Cerebral Palsy? Cerebral palsy is a developmental disorder and leading cause of disability in young children. It affects approximately 500,000 children and adults, with around 8,000 babies and between 1,200 and 1,500 preschool-age children diagnosed each year. Cerebral palsy occurs as a result of a brain injury sustained during fetal development or birth. However, because the symptoms of CP affect a childs coordination and independent movement, the injury is not always diagnosed right away, especially when the symptoms are mild. Below you will find an interactive table of contents which will help you navigate our guide. Simply click on the section you are interested in and well take you right to that section. You can also click back to top next to the topics to be brought right back to this section. Parents usually notice that something is wrong when a child fails to reach developmental milestones such as This may lead to a diagnosis later in life, accounting for the children who are diagnosed as toddlers. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the motor cortex of the brain. This is the part of the brain that affects muscle control and coordination. For this reason, children with … Continue reading →