Cerebral palsy (CP) can affect a child’s muscle tone, movement and speech. Some children might walk a little awkwardly but don’t need special help. Others benefit from technology and assistive devices to help them move and communicate. At Nemours, our orthopedic surgeons, neurologists and other CP specialists are experts in diagnosing cerebral palsy in children. We’re here to help kids with CP from the start — and keep them thriving as they grow.

Learn More About Cerebral Palsy

The right treatment can dramatically help kids living with CP. In addition to our team of CP specialists, many Nemours experts and departments may contribute to your child’s care. Depending on your child’s needs and location, our cerebral palsy services might include:

• assistive technology (to help kids get around, communicate and learn using custom wheelchairs, walkers and other devices)
• Child Life (to support your child with any stress and anxiety while in the hospital)
• developmental behavioral pediatrics (to help with your child’s physical, emotional, behavioral and social development needs)
• gait and motion analysis (high-tech cameras, sensors, pressure plates and computers that create a 3-D model of how your child walks)
• general pediatrics (pediatricians who manage your child’s overall health)
• hand therapy (to improve hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder skills)
• hip preservation, salvage and reconstruction (to maximize function and lessen pain and discomfort in kids with CP, who are prone to having hip problems)
• neurology (to treat conditions of the nerves and muscles or seizures, as well as support cognitive abilities like thinking, reading and focusing)
• neurosurgery (surgery on the brain, skull, spinal cord, spinal column and other parts of the nervous system)
• nutrition (to make sure your child is eating well as they grow)
• occupational therapy (to improve motor skills and hand-eye coordination)
• orthopedics (to manage issues with the bones, joints, muscles and nerves)
• orthotics (inserts, splints or braces to help your child’s movement)
• otolaryngology (to help with any problems in the ears, nose and throat)
• physical therapy (to help kids with walking and movement, including special stretches to limit contraction of the muscles)
• psychology (behavioral health) (to help your child cope with their feelings)
• rehabilitation medicine (for kids who need to work on mobility, functional skills and communication skills, or to manage the use of special pumps for children with muscle spasms)
• social work (to support you and your child in coping with any feelings or challenges, and to help with any improvements your child might need at school or at home)
• spasticity (constant muscle contaction) management (physicians from multiple specialties and physical therapists work together to help relax kids' rigid muscles)
• speech and language therapy (for kids with speech and language disorders or delays, and to help children breathe, talk, bite, chew and swallow food more easily)
• spinal surgery (for kids with curvatures of the spine, such as scoliosis, common in kids with CP)
• upper extremity (hand, wrist, arm and shoulder) treatment (splinting, specific physical and occupational therapy tehcniques, and specialized reconstructive surgery if necessary)

When children see many different specialists, our team can coordinate care and appointments. We help you group multiple appointments into the same day whenever possible.

Families come to Nemours because of our national reputation for diagnosing and treating all types of cerebral palsy in children. We’re known for providing excellent care and warm, personal attention. And, year after year, members of our CP team are recognized as "Best Doctors in America®."

Kids with CP grow and do their best when the whole family takes part in the child’s development and care. That’s why we include parents and other family members in your child’s treatment plans. Families also choose Nemours because we’re always looking for better ways to diagnose and care for conditions like CP. We stay on the leading edge of research, and are actively involved in studies and clinical trials. 

Regional Cerebral Palsy Highlights

Services, programs and care teams differ at each location. Call for details.

Sometimes the best support and peace of mind comes from families who’ve been there. Meet some of the inspiring kids we’ve been honored to treat.

See Patient Stories »