About the Cerebral Palsy Program

The Cerebral Palsy Program is a multidisciplinary, weekly outpatient clinic that provides comprehensive care for children from birth to 21 years with cerebral palsy and related conditions.

While there is no known cure for cerebral palsy, there are many interventions that can improve the function of children with this condition.

Therapy and other interventions can be instrumental in optimizing a child’s motor development, and proper spasticity management can help prevent joint deformity and other secondary impairments. Many children with cerebral palsy also benefit from orthopaedic monitoring and timely surgical interventions.

We frequently work with other clinical programs at CHOP that treat children with cerebral palsy: the Center for Rehabilitation, the Division of NeurosurgeryChild and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Division of Orthopaedics and the Center for Childhood Communication. In partnership with these programs, The Cerebral Palsy Program offers:

  • Spasticity management
  • Orthopaedic surveillance and surgical care
  • Developmental assessment
  • Multidisciplinary recommendations related to:
    • Physical, occupational, and speech and language therapy goals and interventions
    • Mobility
    • Seating, positioning, durable medical equipment, and assistive technology
    • Splinting and bracing
    • Stretching and other home exercise programs
    • Activities of daily living
    • Communication
    • Assistive technology
    • Feeding and nutrition
    • Advocacy for early intervention and school services
    • Psychosocial support and resources
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Current areas of research interest and efforts are pain and quality of life and early mobility, both as they relate to children with cerebral palsy.