Occupational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Occupational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy Explained

Occupational therapy helps people with cerebral palsy perform the tasks necessary for daily life. It can help patients build new skills, solve challenges that limit their independence, and live healthy, happy lives.

Therapy helps cerebral palsy patients improve their quality of life by boosting self-reliance and confidence. Treatment plans consider a person’s daily environments, including home, school, or work, and make adjustments to help the patient complete tasks independently.

Occupational therapy can help a cerebral palsy patient with many aspects of life, including:

• Cleaning up
• Cooking
• Eating
• Getting dressed
• Holding or grasping objects
• Opening doors or locks
• Playing and having fun
• Reading and writing
• Showering and bathing
• Socializing
• Teeth brushing
• Traveling and getting around
• Using technology like phones, computers, and assistive devices

Occupational therapy should change as the patient ages to reflect their needs. For example, young children may play with stimulating toys to improve mobility and movement, while a young adult may learn skills that will help them enter the workforce and maintain a job.

The earlier occupational therapy begins, the better the lifelong results are for a person with cerebral palsy.

“Physical, occupational, and speech therapies give patients more autonomy, progress at school academically and socially, and hope of a successful future.”

– Katie Lavender, RN

Occupational Therapy and Therapists

Occupational therapy for cerebral palsy is a diverse form of treatment. The objective is to help a person successfully perform daily routines without assistance, from when they wake in the morning until they fall asleep at the end of the day. This therapy helps improve their independence and quality of life.

Occupational therapy is provided by occupational therapists and their assistants in private or public settings. Therapists hold master’s degrees, while their assistants typically have a 2-year associate degree.

Some occupational therapists choose to focus on children with cerebral palsy. Children will often be referred to a pediatric occupational therapist by their family physician or a resource center.

Occupational therapists look at several aspects of healthy living for children with cerebral palsy, including:

• Physical and Environmental Aspects
  • Motor skills & motor control
  • Range of motion
  • Flexibility
  • Elasticity
  • Physical development

• Sensory Aspects
  • Physical awareness
  • Mental awareness
  • Responses to touch
  • Responses to movement

• Visual Aspects
  • Depth perception
  • Visual clarity

• Social Aspects
  • Socializing
  • Reasoning
  • Community integration

• Family Life Aspects
  • Culture
  • Socioeconomics
  • Support systems

How Can Occupational Therapy Help?

Occupational therapy is best suited for people with cerebral palsy who are having difficulty completing tasks or routines due to physical or mental limitations.

Occupational therapy for cerebral palsy can help a person adapt to many common symptoms, including:

• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
  • Lack of balance
  • Incoordination
  • Tremors and shakes
  • Difficulty with precise movements
• Spastic Cerebral Palsy
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Jerky movements
• Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
  • Poor movement control
  • Difficulty grasping
  • Poor posture
  • Difficulty swallowing or eating
  • Speaking challenges

Regardless of the severity of cerebral palsy, occupational therapy can help improve a person’s quality of life.

Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

For many patients, occupational therapy leads to independence that their condition was preventing. Children who receive occupational therapy can learn to adapt to their limitations early in life, with lasting benefits.

In the short term, patients learn how to complete basic needs like brushing their teeth, getting dressed, and eating. Other exercises can improve control over their body. Children with cerebral palsy who participate in occupational therapy learn how to thrive in their environments.

Over the long term, occupational therapy helps people become productive, happy members of society. It breaks down barriers that would otherwise impair a person’s physical, psychological, and emotional health, and helps a person explore different passions and career paths.

Occupational Therapy Techniques and Devices

Occupational therapy includes repetitive exercises, games, and other techniques that help develop and reinforce new skills. For example, an occupational therapist may help a child practice drawing, writing, or grasping by repeating the activity regularly.

Many parents are surprised to learn that occupational therapy is fun for their children, as they play with a variety of toys, make crafts, and play games with their therapist. Of course, each of these activities seeks to improve specific skills that will help children overcome challenges in their lives.

Alternatively, adaptive equipment may be used, including splints, braces, or specialized equipment or devices, to help achieve a goal that otherwise isn’t possible. Occupational therapy sessions may be dedicated to learning how to use this equipment effectively.

Adaptive Equipment

Adaptive equipment and technology are rapidly evolving as inventors find new ways to address the limitations of cerebral palsy.

A few examples of adaptive equipment that may be used in occupational therapy include:

• Braces, walkers, or canes
• Writing or typing tools
• Specialized eating utensils
• Voice-to-text technology
• Electronic braille systems
• Communication boards
• Bath chairs
• Sports equipment

Cerebral Palsy Sensory Therapy

Sensory integration therapy is used to improve a child’s ability to understand and interpret signals being sent to their brain. It exposes children to a range of physical experiences, textures, and sensations. Play-Doh, slime, silly putty, liquids, sand, and finger paints are all common tools in sensory therapy.

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

Children with cerebral palsy may participate in constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). CIMT attempts to strengthen the weaker part of the body by restraining its stronger counterpart.

It’s very common for children with cerebral palsy to focus their movements on the strong part of their body, which weakens the parts that are already harder to use. CIMT helps reverse the impacts of this unintentional neglect.

Occupational Therapy at Home

Families can support their child’s occupational therapy by helping them practice new skills at home. Occupational therapists will make recommendations on how to continue therapy in the home to help guide parents.

Parents may also be able to make changes around the home to support their child’s development. For example, a therapist may recommend switching bedrooms, installing specialized equipment, or using adaptive technology at home. Following a therapist’s advice can help increase a child’s success and improve their quality of life.

Financial Compensation for Occupational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Occupational therapy for cerebral palsy can be expensive, but some families may be able to access support. If your child has cerebral palsy due to medical mistakes at birth, you may be eligible for financial compensation to help cover treatment costs.

Work with an attorney experienced in cerebral palsy cases to get the compensation you deserve. Contact Birth Injury Justice Center today at (800) 914-1562 to get a free case review.