Cerebral Palsy Program
The Cerebral Palsy Program at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital specializes in the treatment of cerebral palsy. Our comprehensive services promote the optimal achievement of functional independence in mobility, self-care, and communication. Therapists also provide instruction to caregivers on techniques and activities that support therapy goals.
Services Summarized
Our multi-disciplinary staff has extensive training and experience in treating people with cerebral palsy.
Services Include
Physician evaluation and follow-up
- Advanced management of pediatric spasticity
- Nursing services/care coordination
- Motion Analysis Center (computerized gait analysis)
- Physical therapy evaluation and treatmen
- Occupational therapy evaluation and treatment
- Speech/language therapy evaluation and treatment
- Video-swallow study and feeding treatment
- Coordination with orthotics
- Augmentative communication evaluation and training
- Evaluation for customized wheelchairs
- Evaluation for assistive technology
- Neuromuscular re-education/biofeedback evaluation and treatment
- Home evaluations
- Job site evaluations
- Driver rehabilitation
- Community recreation programs
Services
At Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, people with cerebral palsy are treated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
Medical specialists provide assessments and ongoing management to address orthopedic concerns, spasticity, and functional goals.
Physician evaluations may be provided by a specialist in:
- Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Adult Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Orthopedic Specialists
- Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
- Neurology
Outpatient therapy helps people with cerebral palsy to move; to manage sensory and perceptual difficulties; to improve activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, bathing, and homemaking skills; and to improve communication. Therapists instruct caregivers on positioning, stretching, proper handling/transfer techniques, and activities that support therapy goals. To be seen, a patient must first be evaluated by a physician who writes a prescription.
Physical therapy includes assessment and treatment in:
- Range of motion of the trunk and lower extremities
- Gross motor skills and coordination
- Mobility in the home and in the community
- Muscle weakness or tightness
- Adaptive devices and equipment needs
Physical therapy focuses on functional goals and mobility by improving range of motion, flexibility and strength, and promotes healthy patterns of movement.
Occupational therapy includes assessment and treatment in:
- Range of motion of the upper extremities
- Fine motor skills and coordination
- Dressing, eating, and bathing
- Muscle weakness or tightness
- Sensory dysfunction
- Visual perceptual motor skills
- Adaptive devices and equipment needs
Occupational therapy focuses on functional goals and self care by improving range of motion, flexibility and strength, and promotes healthy patterns of movement.
Speech therapy includes assessment and treatment of:
- Oral motor skills
- Expression-both verbal and graphic
- Articulation
- Language
- Feeding
- Communication-both verbal and gestures
- Voice/fluency
- Behavior/cognition
Speech therapy helps to improve the ability to communicate. Those who have difficulty speaking may learn to use an augmentative communication device, such as a picture board or a language based computer. Some have difficulty with swallowing and benefit from feeding therapy. This may include a videofluoroscopic swallow study to assure that food is being swallowed safely.
Family and Caregiver Education
We consider family involvement to be a key component of our program. We educate parents and caregivers on positioning, stretching, proper handling/transfer techniques and activities that support therapy goals. We provide training and support to ensure that treatment is able to continue at home and in other settings. We coordinate care with school therapists and other community providers to assure success in achievement of goals and to reduce duplication.
Coordination with Orthotics
Many people with cerebral palsy benefit from serial casting, splinting, braces or orthoses. These services may be provided by our therapists or Mary Free Bed Orthotics. We also work closely with community based orthotists.
Coordination with Mary Free Bed Rehab Technology Center
Many people with cerebral palsy benefit from specialized equipment including customized wheelchairs and home environmental controls.
Advanced Management of Pediatric Spasticity Program
Some children with cerebral palsy have severe problems with spasticity, which may be improved with selective dorsal rhizotomy, intrathecal Baclofen, or complex botox treatments with serial casting to release tight muscles. Multi-level orthopedic surgery may be recommended to address the complications caused by untreated spasticity.
A gait assessment by the Motion Analysis Center assists physicians in the management and treatment of problems with walking.
Contact the Cerebral Palsy Program
For more information or to make a referral, please contact the Cerebral Palsy Program at:
Phone
616.242.0366 - or - 800.668.6001
Fax Prescriptions
616.493.9827
Email
Peds.Outpatient@MaryFreeBed.com
Your First Name
Your Last Name
Your Email Address (required)
Your Message or Comment Here
Download
Outpatient Referral Form
For physician assessment: fax referral, face sheet with demographics, recent history and physical or reason for referral, and radiology reports.
For therapy: fax prescription, face sheet with demographics, and reason for referral. Please specify type of therapy requested - PT, OT, or speech therapy.