Learning your child has cerebral palsy (CP) can be an overwhelming experience. The term refers to a group of disorders that can cause a wide range of symptoms, and no two people experience CP the same way. That’s why a personalized pediatric therapy treatment plan is crucial in managing cerebral palsy in children.
Generally speaking, cerebral palsy permanently affects movement and muscle function. What that means for your child, however, can vary wildly. A child with mild CP will likely be able to manage their symptoms on their own once they’re older, but a child with severe CP may require lifelong care.
Furthermore, because cerebral palsy is neurological, it can cause several non-motor symptoms, too, such as seizure disorders, intellectual disabilities, or speech and language disorders, meaning most kids benefit from a multidisciplinary care team.
At Libre Physical Therapy, our pediatric therapists would love to serve as part of that care team. We’ll work closely with you, your child, and other care team members to ensure your child’s motor development, fitness, and overall quality of life throughout their childhood.
Keep reading to learn more about the techniques we use when addressing cerebral palsy in children!
Comprehensive Care for Childhood Cerebral Palsy
Our first step in treatment is an in-depth assessment to ensure we understand your child’s specific needs. We’ll ask you to complete a full health history, and we’ll coordinate with the rest of your child’s care team, ensuring a comprehensive view of your child’s condition.
But we’ll also work with your child directly, observing them at play to better understand their unique strengths and weaknesses. We do our best to make care at our Homestead, FL, and Kendall, FL clinics feel fun, which begins with our assessment!
Once we understand your child’s needs, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan. That said, all children with cerebral palsy, whether mild or severe, will benefit from dedicated pediatric physical therapy sessions.
Our primary goal is to improve your child’s muscular strength and function at all stages of their development. Fortunately, cerebral palsy isn’t progressive, which means you don’t have to worry about symptoms worsening. However, early pediatric therapy can give your child the tools they need to manage their condition throughout their life.
We start before your child has even begun school, encouraging motor development through play. We’ll guide your child through fun activities designed to improve the way your child’s muscles work. We can also suggest appropriate activities for them to do at home.
As your child gets older, we’ll adjust their treatment plan accordingly. For example, starting school introduces new challenges, such as learning to write while living with tremors. For older kids, we also focus on managing symptoms. We’ll help your kid find fitness approaches that suit their interests and abilities and show them strategies for managing discomfort and mobility issues.
Want to Find Out More?
Because cerebral palsy in children can take so many different forms, speaking to a Libre Physical Therapy pediatric therapist one-on-one is the best way to learn how we can help your child specifically. Schedule an appointment to get started!
