Due to their impaired movements, children with cerebral palsy tend to be less physically active, which increases their chances of developing health problems.

This article will recommend engaging exercises and activities to try with your child to boost physical activity levels and mobility. 

How Much Exercise Do Kids with Cerebral Palsy Need?

Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. However, for children with cerebral palsy, it may be difficult or uncomfortable to engage in physical exercise on a regular basis.

Research recommends that children with cerebral palsy aim to get at least 60 minutes of physical exercise, 5 days a week.  Although this may sound like a lot, not all exercise has to be boring. Physical activities can be just as beneficial (or even more so) than rote exercises.

Specific exercise recommendations, in terms of exercise type and duration, may vary by the child depending on their unique condition. To learn more about what physical activity goals may be most beneficial, speak with your child’s physical or occupational therapist. This helps target all the right areas to optimize your child’s motor functions.

Every case of cerebral palsy is different and each child will have varying goals. Therefore, having an individualized exercise regimen will help cater to your child’s unique needs.

Range of Motion Exercises for Kids with Cerebral Palsy

Passive Range of Motion Exercises for Kids With Cerebral Palsy

Passive range of motion exercises, in which a trained caregiver or therapist gently stretches the child’s body for them, are ideal for those with severe mobility impairments. Practice range of motion exercises for kids with cerebral palsy are a great way to reduce joint stiffness, promote circulation, and stimulate the muscles. Perform these at least twice a day and keep these exercises pain-free while avoiding forcing limbs past their natural resistance.

One tip – passive range of motion exercises may not be very engaging on their own, but pairing them with music can make them more motivating. Find ways to encourage children with less severe motor impairments to perform active range of motion exercises on their own as much as possible.

Active Range of Motion Exercises for Kids With Cerebral Palsy

If your child is able to do so, active range of motion exercises can be a great option to improve mobility. Some active range of motion exercises for kids with cerebral palsy may include:

• Neck rotations (rotate the head in circles clockwise and counterclockwise)
• Head turns (turning the head side to side)
• Shoulder shrugs (raise and lower your shoulders)
• Arm circles (spread your arms to the sides so that your body makes a T shape and then move the arms in circles forward and backward)
• Elbow extensions (bend and straighten your elbows)
• Wrist rotations (hold your forearm with your other hand to stabilize it and then move the hand in circles)
• Finger clenching (make a fist so that all your fingers curl in and then straighten them back out)
• Finger parting (join your fingers together so that they touching on the sides and then spread them out as far as you can)
• Marches (sitting or standing, bend at the hip to raise your knee up like you’re marching, alternating legs)
• Lateral leg raises (lie on your side, raise your top leg up as far as you can, then lower it)
• Knee extensions (sit on a chair and repeatedly bend and straighten the knees)
• Ankle rotations (rotate the ankles in circles)

Again, pair these exercises with music to make them more enjoyable.

Using these tasks as dance moves rather than exercises can make them fun and entertaining. For example, songs like Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes, the Hokey Pokey, or popular YouTube motion songs by Danny Go! include many of these movements.

Adding music to otherwise boring exercises helps motivate children to keep moving every day and turns physical activity into fun instead of a chore.

Fun Physical Activities as Exercise for Kids with Cerebral Palsy

Exercise doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, the best way to engage and motivate your child to be more active is to incorporate play.

Let’s go over some fun physical activities your child can do for exercise.

Obstacle Course

Try setting up an obstacle course in your living room or outdoors. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy – start by placing some potholders or old washcloths on the floor to use as stepping stones. You can add other challenges, such as walking on a jump rope laid out in a zigzag pattern, stepping up to a step stool, crawling under the table, or tossing a ball into a laundry basket.

If an obstacle course gets too easy, change it up or try completing it in a certain time limit. Instead of walking, encourage your child to hop or balance on one foot at specific points for a challenge. Various toys can also be purchased to add to the fun, such as tunnels, balance beams, slides, or raised stepping stones.

By rearranging and adding new tasks to your obstacle course, this adaptable activity can keep your child’s attention and be used again and again to boost physical activity and mobility.

Dancing

Dancing is a great way to practice moving multiple parts of the body at once. Children love songs with corresponding dance moves like the Cha Cha Slide, Head and Shoulder Knees and Toes, Hokey Pokey, and Macarena.

You can also play freeze dance! The rules are simple. When the music is on, you dance, but when it stops, you have to freeze! Whoever moves, loses. The anticipation of waiting for the song to stop keeps the child engaged.

MusicGlove

MusicGlove is a neurorehab device that combines gaming, hand therapy, and music to make improving fine motor skills fun.

The idea of the game is to make O’s with each of your fingers. The keys on the screen are synchronized to match the beats in the music.

Children are so engaged in the game that they don’t even realize how many repetitions they’re performing, which is key for promoting neuroplasticity and boosting hand function.

While this is not ideal for promoting gross motor skills, this is a great way to improve hand mobility and add some movement into your child’s day if their mobility is significantly limited.

Balloon in the Air (AKA Hot Lava)

This simple game is a great way to keep children with cerebral palsy moving around.

All you need to do is keep a balloon (no helium) from touching the floor (or “hot lava”) at all costs.

While playing this game with your child, try to steer the balloon away from your child so that they must move around to get to it before it falls into the floor “lava”.

To make it more challenging, suggest things like, “How about we can only touch the balloon with our right hand, or feet?”

Swimming

Getting into the pool is an excellent way for your child to practice walking and strengthen their muscles.

The buoyant force of water is what makes people feel so light in water. This will take a lot of pressure off the joints and allow your child to focus on moving and/or walking with correct form.

Water also has viscosity, which is what makes it difficult to move really fast in water. This natural resistance can help strengthen your child’s muscles.

There are all sorts of different exercises and activities your child can do in a pool.

They can hold onto a boogie board and kick their feet, balance on a pool noodle, practice walking, or even just splash around. As long as your child is moving, the properties of water can help improve motor function.

Adaptive Sports

There are tons of adaptive sports for children with cerebral palsy to participate in.

From basketball and soccer to cheerleading and horseback riding, nearly every sport can be adapted to accommodate your child’s abilities.

This can help your child learn how to play with others, work towards their goals, and enjoy an active lifestyle.Check out Move United’s adaptive sport program locator to find out more about what types of adaptive sports are available in your area.

Bike Riding

Riding a bike is an effective way for children with cerebral palsy to develop more strength in their legs and break a sweat, boosting their cardiovascular function as well as their mobility and coordination.

Having training wheels or even using a tricycle will help keep your child balanced and prevent falling. Pedals with straps can also help keep your child’s feet from sliding off.Younger children may enjoy using a balance bike, which is propelled by using the feet to push off the ground. Arm-powered bicycles, such as the RadioFlyer Cyclone, can also be a good way for children with limited lower body function to build endurance.

Go to a Playground

Going to the park and letting your child play on the playground is an effortless way to encourage physical activity.

They can use their muscles to climb, kick their legs back and forth on the swings, and run around. Some playgrounds have adaptive swings so even older children with balance difficulties are still able to swing. Playing on a playground is also great for children’s sensory systems!

Scavenger Hunt

Hide some items around the house and have your child go on a mini scavenger hunt looking for them.

Place the items in unexpected or hard to reach places that will have your child on their toes, knees, reaching, opening doors and cabinets, and moving objects around. This can be adapted to be as easy or difficult as your child needs.

The Best Exercises for Kids with Cerebral Palsy

Ultimately, the best exercises for kids with cerebral palsy are the exercises that will keep them moving.

Forcing your child to go to physical therapy and perform manual exercise after exercise is only going to make them bored. However, many pediatric physical therapists do try to integrate fun activities into their sessions, so don’t be afraid to encourage physical therapy when needed.

By encouraging your child to play and do activities that they enjoy, they’ll naturally become more active.

The most important part of getting a child to exercise is to focus on what they can do rather than what they can’t.By moving around and being active, research shows that children with cerebral palsy can have improved flexibility, strength, sleep quality, and self-esteem. Regular physical activity can also reduce the risk of experiencing obesity, pain, fatigue, loss of strength, balance, and limited physical fitness as individuals age..Try these activities with your child and see for yourself how effortless it can be to keep them engaged and physically active.

The post Engaging Exercises for Kids with Cerebral Palsy: Fun Ways to Boost Mobility appeared first on Flint Rehab.

This article will provide a few fun activity ideas to encourage fine motor skills among children with cerebral palsy. An overview of how practicing hand exercises may help improve hand functions is also included.

Importance of Practicing Hand Exercises for Cerebral Palsy

Children with cerebral palsy often experience difficulties with hand functions, such as strength, range of motion, precision, and dexterity. This is because individuals with cerebral palsy may have experienced damage to the areas of the brain involved in these functions before, during or shortly after birth.

Fortunately, the brain has the ability to adaptively rewire itself through the process of neuroplasticity. When a task is practiced repetitively, the brain is able to create and strengthen neural pathways associated with that task. This allows healthy areas of the brain to take over functions that were previously housed in damaged areas.

Every movement stimulates the brain, but consistent repetitions will let the brain know that there is a demand for the associated functions. The more frequently a specific action is performed, the more the brain will reorganize itself and strengthen the neural pathways used for that function.

Therefore, in order for individuals with cerebral palsy to improve hand functions, it is vital to consistently and repetitively practice tasks involving those functions. While rote hand exercises certainly can spark improvements, it is also possible (and more fun) to activate neuroplasticity through engaging games and activities.

Hand Exercises for Cerebral Palsy

Focusing on play-based hand exercises for cerebral palsy can be extremely beneficial. Not only do children learn best through play, but play is often so enjoyable that they can stay engaged for extended periods of time.

Therefore, using play can encourage children to practice hand exercises more frequently than focusing on more traditional hand exercises, which are likely less engaging. For this reason, the following list of hand exercises for cerebral palsy contains mostly play-based exercises, with just a few conventional exercises mixed in.

1. Building with Blocks

Building with blocks can be an excellent way to build fine motor skills. Individuals have the opportunity to practice grasping and manipulating the blocks, as well as to precisely position them into place.

As skills build, try using smaller blocks, as these will be more challenging to manipulate. Legos or magnetic tiles can be used as well. Following directions to create a specific structure may also challenge cognitive skills, such as visual memory and problem solving, making this a versatile therapeutic activity.

2. Creating Artwork

Hand functions are essential for using markers, paints, scissors and glue to create artwork. Arts and crafts activities can allow children to practice grasping and manipulating variously shaped utensils, strengthen hand muscles, and experiment with precision.

Encouraging children to use different pressures and stroke lengths when drawing or painting can result in a more comprehensive hand exercise. Additionally, squeezing out craft glue and cutting thicker materials, such as cardstock, can boost hand strength.

3. Making Jewelry

Stringing beads to create a necklace or bracelet can be a great way for children with cerebral palsy to work on developing their fine motor skills. Not only does this encourage fine motor precision, but it also addresses bilateral coordination, or the ability to use both sides of the body to accomplish one goal.

Start by stringing large beads on a pipe cleaner, and progress to using smaller beads and a thin string to increase the challenge. To practice picking up objects between the thumb and pointer finger, consider beginning with an assortment of beads and sorting them one by one into a bead organizer.

4. Molding and Sculpting

Molding playdough into different shapes is one of the best hand exercises for cerebral palsy that targets fine motor strength. Flattening, rolling, squeezing, and sculpting can strengthen the muscles of the hands and fingers. Furthermore, using tools provided in a playdough kit can provide even more ways to work on building fine motor strength and dexterity.

Mix it up by trying clay, slime, or kinetic sand. Some may even enjoy using a recipe to make playdough, which can require even more strength. Using therapy putty can also be helpful, as it comes pre-labeled with different levels of resistance.

5. Playing Games

Fine motor skills are essential for playing many different games. Here are a few of the many games that can be used to improve hand functions:

• Connect 4: manipulating game pieces into slots requires dexterity and precision
• Trouble: pressing the dice roller can improve hand strength, while grasping and moving game pieces requires fine motor precision
• Perfection: manipulating and placing pieces involves precision and speed
• Jenga: removing and gently placing blocks requires fine motor precision
• Pop the Pig: rolling dice, sliding small game pieces through the pig’s mouth slot, and pressing on the pig’s head to “pop” it makes this game a well-rounded activity for improving hand functions

Any games involving handling cards, moving small game pieces and/or manipulating objects can be used as a cerebral palsy hand exercise. Gamified rehabilitation devices, such as the MusicGlove, can also be beneficial.

Depending on the child’s current skill level, some games may be more appropriate than others. However, many games, such as Jenga and Connect 4, come in jumbo versions. These may be more suitable for those who initially struggle to grasp and manipulate standard-sized pieces.

6. Food Play

From decorating foods to making interactive snacks, there are a number of ways to integrate hand exercises into food-related activities. Here are a few examples:

• Sorting candy: buy a favorite candy, such as Skittles or M&M’s, and pick up each candy individually to sort by color
• Adding toppings: try arranging different toppings on pizza, decorating cookies, or squeezing out different types of sauces for dipping
• Using utensils: use a butterknife to spread peanut butter on crackers or chop a peeled banana, try using a toothpick to poke precut fruits or cheeses, or help with stirring ingredients into a simple recipe
• Snack-time fun: string cheerios on a toothpick or skewer, place raisins on top of celery stuffed with peanut butter, or dip pretzel sticks into peanut butter to use for “catching” goldfish

By adding hand exercises into a normal part of one’s daily routine, it is easy to practice targeted skills without having to designate a specific time for exercise. This can help individuals be more motivated to complete their exercises on a regular basis, and make exercising more enjoyable.

7. Playing at the Beach

The beach is a wonderful place to practice a variety of hand exercises for cerebral palsy. Between digging in the sand, making sandcastles, and collecting seashells, playing at the beach can involve a number of hand functions.

Wet sand is extremely easy to mold. Practicing squeezing, pressing, and scooping it can be a great way to strengthen the hand muscles. Grasping small items, such as seashells, rocks, and sandglass can also improve hand functions. Practicing placing these items carefully onto a sandcastle or arranging them in the sand can improve dexterity and manipulation skills.

The hand exercises outlined above can be a great starting point for individuals with cerebral palsy to begin thinking creatively about how to boost hand functions. Individuals, especially children, tend to be more motivated to complete activities that are enjoyable, so intertwining fun activities with hand exercises can be a great way to promote improvements. An occupational therapist can help children learn more about what hand exercises and activities may be most beneficial.

Understanding Hand Exercises for Cerebral Palsy

Almost any activity that involves the hands can be transformed into a hand exercise for cerebral palsy. While traditional exercises can promote improved hand functions, using unique and enjoyable hand exercises like those described above can also be beneficial.

Focusing on integrating hand exercises into everyday tasks, such as cooking or play, can make it easier to exercise the hands on a regular basis. Talking with an occupational therapist can help children discover even more personalized hand exercises for cerebral palsy that can be both engaging and beneficial.

The post 7 Engaging & Practical Hand Exercises for Cerebral Palsy appeared first on Flint Rehab.

The 7 vitamins for cerebral palsy presented here may help manage cerebral palsy symptoms and minimize the risk of further complications. While these nutrients cannot replace a healthy diet, they are an essential component of one. Thus, it is important to understand which vitamins are best for individuals with cerebral palsy in order to ensure adequate nutrients are being consumed.

Importance of Nutrition for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a developmental condition that results from damage to areas of the brain associated with movement in early life. Although the effects of cerebral palsy vary widely, individuals frequently experience difficulties with movement, balance, posture, and/or coordination.

Although cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition, individuals with cerebral palsy may experience worsening of symptoms without proper management techniques.

One important aspect of managing cerebral palsy is maintaining a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. Although everyone should strive toward healthy eating patterns, it is especially important for individuals with cerebral palsy to ensure they are providing their bodies with the nutrients they need.

This is because individuals with cerebral palsy are at a higher risk of developing growth and nutrition disorders. Without proper nutrition, individuals may experience decreased bone density and muscle mass, increasing the likelihood of further complications.

The primary reason individuals with cerebral palsy experience undernutrition is oral feeding difficulties. Since cerebral palsy may affect the muscles in and around the mouth, 30 to 40% of people with cerebral palsy have trouble with effectively chewing and swallowing their food. These challenges can even result in some individuals requiring a feeding tube.

With the difficulties surrounding oral food intake, as well as the increased importance of proper nutrition for those with cerebral palsy, it is especially vital to ensure the most beneficial nutrient-rich foods are being consumed. Focusing on eating a diet rich in the best minerals and vitamins for cerebral palsy can be great way to manage cerebral palsy effects and promote overall health.

The Best Vitamins for Cerebral Palsy

Individuals with cerebral palsy can greatly benefit from a diet packed with healthy foods. However, oftentimes it can be difficult to know which foods are best. Consulting with a dietician can provide clarity in this area.

Whether or not one chooses to work with a dietician, it can be helpful to know what some of the best minerals and vitamins for cerebral palsy are in order to make an informed decision about which foods to eat. While consuming essential minerals and vitamins for cerebral palsy through food is optimal, many benefit from using supplements to ensure they have filled their nutritional needs.

Below is a list of 7 of the best supplements, minerals and vitamins for cerebral palsy that boost brain function and help heal the body.

1. Vitamin C

In addition to being essential to many functions within the brain, Vitamin C is potent in antioxidants, which combat free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. Since oxidative stress may cause or increase memory loss and depression, which individuals with CP are already more vulnerable to, this antioxidant effect is especially beneficial.

Vitamin C also enhances the synthesis of norepinephrine, which is a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the brain) that improves focus and energy. It’s also crucial for maintaining bone health because of its involvement in gene regulation that influences bone development.

Citrus foods, such as oranges and grapefruit, tend to be excellent sources of vitamin C.

2. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 keeps nerve cells healthy by forming the cell’s myelin sheath (a protective covering for axons). It also helps promote neurotransmitter signaling to help regulate mood, modulate the body’s stress response, and prevent memory loss.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with memory loss, depression, weak muscles, digestion problems, and irritability. These conditions are common among people with cerebral palsy.

Foods that are high in vitamin B12 include fortified cereals and seafood such as clams, trout, salmon, and tuna.

3. Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium and vitamin D work hand in hand, and are necessary for the bone health of children with cerebral palsy. When individuals with cerebral palsy don’t receive adequate nutrition, they are at risk for malnutrition. This leads to weak bones that are susceptible to fractures.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which is essential for strengthening the bones. Nervous tissues also use energy from calcium to stimulate nerve impulses and regulate muscle contractions, making calcium essential for movement in addition to bone health.

Calcium and vitamin D can be found in dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheeses. Dark, leafy greens are also excellent sources of calcium, while fish is rich in vitamin D.

4. Magnesium

Over 75% of individuals with cerebral palsy experience spasticity (involuntary muscle contractions), making it difficult to move and eat effectively because their muscles continuously contract. Magnesium may reduce spasticity and increase range of motion by relaxing the muscles and promoting nerve function.

Magnesium may also help individuals with CP who experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other digestion problems. It is used in laxatives, heartburn and upset stomach medications to relieve constipation, relax the muscles in the digestive tract, and neutralize stomach acid. Just like calcium, magnesium is essential for bone health and preventing osteoporosis.

High levels of magnesium can be found in legumes, nuts and dark, leafy greens such as spinach.

5. Zinc

Zinc plays an important role in the brain, influencing a variety of functions such as learning, memory, and mood. It promotes communication between neurons (brain cells) and regulates neurotransmitter activity.

Because children with cerebral palsy often have learning difficulties and mood swings, ensuring that they are not zinc-deficient may boost their cognitive abilities and reduce emotional outbursts.

One of the best sources of zinc is oysters. Others sources include meat and fish.

6. Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for brain development and the maintenance of brain function throughout life. Omega-3s can be found in fish oil or flaxseed supplements. DHA is a type of omega-3 that regulates nerve growth and has neuroprotective effects.

Children with cerebral palsy who have learning difficulties may benefit from omega-3, as it helps improve cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Studies suggest that omega-3s may promote muscle, joint, and bone health, which is fundamental for impaired movement.

Fatty fish and nuts are often high in omega-3 fatty acids.

7. Probiotics

Eating probiotics has been shown to promote digestive health, reduce constipation, and increase immune cells in individuals with cerebral palsy. Probiotics increase healthy bacteria in the gut, which is essential as many individuals with cerebral palsy experience digestive problems.

Furthermore, since the gut and brain are connected through biochemical signaling, good bacteria levels in the gut allow for the production of neurotransmitters that improve mood and brain function. In fact, 99% of serotonin (the ‘feel good’ chemical) is made in the digestive tract. Therefore, probiotics may help with not only with digestion, but also with cognitive functions and overall mental health.

Yogurt and kefir are two of the best sources of probiotics.

Vitamins for Cerebral Palsy Should Not Replace a Healthy Diet

While consuming adequate amounts of minerals and vitamins for cerebral palsy is important, these nutrients should be used to supplement a healthy diet, rather than completely replace nutritional foods. Some individuals with cerebral palsy can get all their essential nutrients through proper nutrition, so supplements should only be taken when necessary.

It is important to note that vitamins won’t cure an individual’s motor impairments or heal their brain damage. Instead, adding appropriate minerals and vitamins for cerebral palsy can promote the health of the brain, bones, muscles, and digestive system, limiting the probability of complications.

If your child has difficulties chewing, consider blending their food so that it is easier to swallow. A speech therapist or dietician may be able to give further insight into appropriate foods for individuals with feeding difficulties in order to optimize their dietary intake.

Understanding Vitamins for Cerebral Palsy

Individuals with cerebral palsy are at an increased risk for malnutrition, primarily due to feeding challenges. Focusing on eating a healthy diet while ensuring that all nutritional needs are being met is an important component of managing cerebral palsy.

When individuals with cerebral palsy are unable to consume the minerals and vitamins they need, the risk of complications increases. Therefore, it is vital to include adequate minerals and vitamins for cerebral palsy in one’s diet, utilizing supplements as necessary.

Consulting with a dietician can help individuals with cerebral palsy and their families learn what foods and nutrients they need to lead a healthy lifestyle and minimize the risk of further complications.

Understanding which vitamins for cerebral palsy are most beneficial can help individuals focus on eating a healthy diet that meets their needs.

The post The Best Vitamins for Cerebral Palsy: Which Supplements Help Boost Recovery? appeared first on Flint Rehab.

This article will explore the relationship between cerebral palsy and pregnancy. Use the links below to jump straight to any section.

• Cerebral palsy and pregnancy facts
• How pregnancy affects your body
• How cerebral palsy can affect pregnancy
• Will my child have cerebral palsy?

Important Facts About Cerebral Palsy and Pregnancy

Cerebral palsy is a motor disability caused by damage to the developing brain before, during, or shortly after birth. Although there is no “cure” for cerebral palsy, many individuals with CP are able to manage their symptoms and lead very fulfilling lives, including having a family.

Both men and women alike may wonder if people with cerebral palsy can have kids. They are often glad to find out that becoming pregnant is possible, regardless of whether the prospective mother, father or both have cerebral palsy. In fact, while only 30% of individuals with CP live with a partner, about one third of these individuals will have one or more biological children.

While cerebral palsy and pregnancy can both greatly affect one’s life, each individual will experience these conditions differently. Depending on the severity of cerebral palsy and which areas of the body are affected, pregnancy may be significantly more or less challenging.

However, if a woman with cerebral palsy wants to have a baby, there are many ways for her to carry a baby safely and successfully with the appropriate considerations.

Can Men with Cerebral Palsy Have Children?

Men with cerebral palsy may also be concerned about their ability to have children. However, cerebral palsy has no effect on fertility. Therefore, men with cerebral palsy are just as likely to have children if desired as those without.

How Pregnancy Affects Your Body

There are many changes that occur during pregnancy. Some changes, such as increasing in size and carrying extra weight, occur during pregnancy for every woman. Other changes, such as experiencing morning sickness and swelling of the ankles and feet, occur only in some women.

Furthermore, every pregnancy is different. Having an especially challenging first pregnancy does not mean that the next one will be equally difficult. Conversely, having one “easy” pregnancy does not mean that the next will be just as straight-forward. However, with the appropriate expectations and preparation, women are often able to have a positive pregnancy experience.

In order to be properly prepared, it’s crucial to think about the possible ways that your body will change during pregnancy.

Common symptoms associated with pregnancy include:

• Nausea
• Increased urination
• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Congestion
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain or backaches
• Swelling of the feet and ankles
• Changes in skin color
• Weight gain

Pregnant women with CP should consider how these complications can affect their ability to participate in their usual daily routines.

It’s a good idea to figure out the little details like:

• Will you need a caregiver?
• Can you perform transfers independently, even when carrying extra weight?
• How close are the bathrooms from areas you frequent?

It is a good idea to talk with your doctor before becoming pregnant or during the early stages of pregnancy. They can provide recommendations for a healthy pregnancy, such as specific fitness exercises, healthy foods to eat, and/or medication modifications.

While there may be extra factors to consider, making accommodations for potential challenges beforehand can make experiencing pregnancy easier.

How Cerebral Palsy Can Affect Pregnancy

Cerebral palsy affects a person’s movements, posture, and balance.

One of the most common symptoms of cerebral palsy is spasticity (involuntary muscle contractions). Spasticity can cause excess strain on the joints and restrict range of motion. Throughout pregnancy, women will gradually gain weight, which will also add more stress to the joints. This can increase the risk of becoming injured even during regular daily activities.

When combined with pregnancy symptoms, the mobility of women with cerebral palsy can be drastically limited. Due to changes in their center of gravity and carrying extra weight, women may be more prone to falls. Falling may result in injury not only to the mother, but also to their unborn child.

Therefore, during pregnancy, women with cerebral palsy need to be especially cautious. With appropriate safety measures in place, women who have cerebral palsy during pregnancy can minimize their risk of injury and safely carry their child.

It may be a good idea for women who usually use walking aids to switch over to a wheelchair temporarily to prevent accidents and ensure their safety, as well as the safety of their unborn baby. Discuss this with your doctor, and ensure that you continue to move and exercise your legs, even if you are using a wheelchair for much of the day.

Frequent prenatal appointments are also essential to monitor the mother’s health and that of her unborn child. These appointments are especially important as the baby’s due date nears. This is because women with cerebral palsy are more likely to have their baby preterm, although the risk of having a preemie is still relatively low.

Furthermore, women with cerebral palsy are also more likely to have a C-section or be induced, rather than naturally progressing into labor. Their baby may also have a lower Apgar score (an evaluation for newborn health) at 5 minutes after delivery than a baby born to a mother without CP. However, with appropriate prenatal care and attention during the labor and delivery process, many women with CP can have a safe pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby.

Will My Child Have Cerebral Palsy?

The onset of the majority (80%) of cerebral palsy cases occurs before birth, during pregnancy. However, just because a parent has cerebral palsy does not mean that their child will also have cerebral palsy. In fact, a child with a parent that has cerebral palsy is no more likely to develop cerebral palsy than a child with a parent that does not have CP.

Common prenatal causes of cerebral palsy include:

• Premature birth
• Bleeding in the brain
• Brain infections
• Genetic factors
• Lack of oxygen in the brain
• Abnormal brain development

Therefore, although genetic factors may contribute to an infant being born with cerebral palsy, there are many other contributing factors. It is important to note that there is no single gene responsible for CP. Rather, it’s a combination of many genetic mutations that can increase one’s chances of abnormal brain development.

With this information in mind, men and women with cerebral palsy should not avoid having children simply out of concern that they could pass it to their child.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy and Pregnancy: Key Points

Cerebral palsy does not affect one’s fertility, but its associated motor impairments can make pregnancy more challenging.

Cerebral palsy is not passed down genetically. Just because one or both parents have CP does not mean that their child will also have cerebral palsy. It’s essential for pregnant women to manage their CP symptoms to maximize their mobility and ensure the safety of their babies.

Hopefully, this article helped you better understand the link between cerebral palsy and pregnancy. Men and women with cerebral palsy can become excellent parents if they desire to have children.

The post Cerebral Palsy and Pregnancy: Understanding the Risks and Promoting a Safe Delivery appeared first on Flint Rehab.

Thanks to advances in healthcare that allow for early identification and intervention, symptoms and complications of cerebral palsy can be minimized to optimize a child’s quality of life.

This article will go over what to expect if your preemie has cerebral palsy and how to effectively manage it. Use the following link to explore specific sections of this article:

• The link between premature birth and cerebral palsy
• 7 signs of cerebral palsy in preemies
• Management of cerebral palsy in preemies

The Link Between Premature Birth and Cerebral Palsy

For a birth to be considered premature, the baby must be born before 37 weeks. In the US, about 1 in every 10 infants is born prematurely. Preemies are more likely to experience complications the earlier they are born. Preemies with lower birth weights also tend to have a higher risk of complications. Complications with brain development are likely to occur in more than 80% of preemies born before 25 weeks old.

There are many risk factors for premature birth including: 

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Genetic influence
• Infections
• Stress
• Carrying multiple babies
• Pre-existing health problems
• Having a previous premature birth or multiple miscarriages
• Problems with the uterus, cervix, or placenta

Mothers of preemies often blame themselves for premature birth but many times, the cause cannot be determined. Even mothers without any risk factors can have premature births. Sometimes, it just happens.

While cerebral palsy can occur in babies born at full term, being born prematurely does increase the risk of having cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the developing brain. Brain damage is more likely to occur in infants born prematurely for several reasons, including:

• Brain bleeds: the earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of a bleeding in the brain, also known as an intraventricular hemorrhage
• Interrupted brain development: when a baby is born early, the typical patterns of brain development are disrupted, which may cause brain damage
• Oxygen deprivation: as preemies may have underdeveloped lungs, they are more likely to experience low oxygen levels, which can result in damage to brain cells

Just because a preemie has brain damage does not mean that they have cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is only caused by brain damage to specific areas of the brain that play a role in movement, including the motor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and thalamus.

If you’ve recently had a premature baby, focus on staying positive and educate yourself on how to best care for your baby.

7 Signs of Cerebral Palsy in Preemies

About 10% of preemies born before 28 weeks have cerebral palsy.

Therefore, it’s essential to keep an eye out for early signs of cerebral palsy. The sooner you identify complications and seek management for them, the less impact they’ll have on your child’s quality of life.

Here is a list of common signs of cerebral palsy in preemies:

1. Developmental Delays

Typically, developmental delays are the first detectable sign of cerebral palsy in children.

Cerebral palsy can range from mild to severe. Often, mild cases go unnoticed until children start missing developmental milestones.   Generally, by 6 months, a baby can roll in both directions and sit without support. Around 12 months old, children can stand, and by 15 months, they can typically walk on their own.

Remember to adjust your preemie’s age! For example, if your baby is 12 months old and was born 8 weeks early, their adjusted age would be 10 months. Not all babies develop at the same pace. Sometimes, infants will be delayed in one area of development, but may be on target or even ahead in other areas.

2. Atypical Walking Patterns

Cerebral palsy can affect various areas of the body. The most common type of cerebral palsy is spastic diplegia, where only the legs have motor impairments. As a result, preemies with spastic diplegia usually have completely typical upper body functions. Motor impairments may only become apparent once the child starts walking.

Walking patterns characteristic of cerebral palsy include:

• Tiptoeing
• Crouch gait
• Scissor gait

3. Fatigue

Fatigue is an extremely common outcome of both premature birth and cerebral palsy. Because of their motor impairments, individuals with cerebral palsy have to use more energy to move and tire out much more quickly. As a result, your preemie may require more time to perform everyday activities like feeding and getting dressed.

4. Lack of Interaction with their Surroundings

While it might appear like your child is disinterested in exploring their surroundings, they usually aren’t. Rather, their motor impairments make it difficult for them to move around, which discourages them from interacting with their environment.

5. Favoring One Side of the Body

Spastic hemiplegia is a type of cerebral palsy that only affects one side of the body. While we all have a dominant side, children with spastic hemiplegia may develop a habit of using only one side and avoid engaging the other at all. For example, your child might tend to lean in a certain direction, drag a leg behind when walking or crawling, or clench their affected hand. Management for hemiplegia is essential to develop bilateral coordination.

6. Floppy or Stiff Muscles When Held

Depending on the location of brain damage, preemies may experience extremely high or low muscle tone. When held, children with low muscle tone will feel floppy and might droop their heads. Those with high muscle tone will feel stiff and resist movement, which can make it difficult to place them in a car seat or highchair.

7. Poor Feeding

If cerebral palsy affects the oral motor muscles, children may struggle to chew and swallow their food. As a result, many children with cerebral palsy have feeding difficulties, which puts them at risk for malnutrition and dehydration. Preemies are born smaller than infants born at term. They usually catch up in size around 2-3 years old, but only with proper nutrition.   

Management of Cerebral Palsy in Preemies

One of the best practices for managing cerebral palsy in preemies is to get regular well-child checkups to make sure your child is developing at a healthy rate. This can ensure they are getting appropriate nutrition and meeting important developmental milestones.

Physicians often hesitate to diagnose mild cerebral palsy in infanthood because motor impairments identified before the age of 1 often resolve on their own.

However, parents shouldn’t passively wait until symptoms improve or worsen.

Even if your infant doesn’t have cerebral palsy, early intervention for motor problems can significantly improve mobility. If you are uncertain whether your child is demonstrating motor delays, consider using this interactive tool developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics to learn more about what is expected at different ages.

Early intervention for cerebral palsy typically consists of:

• Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen tight muscles, improve range of motion, and promote proper gait patterns
• Occupational therapy to increase participation in play and other daily activities
• Speech therapy address oral motor skills for feeding or communication difficulties
• Proper nutrition to address malnutrition and promote normal growth and musculoskeletal health
• Orthotics to support proper musculoskeletal alignment and gently stretch tight muscles
• Medications to temporarily relieve high muscle tone

Early intervention is proactive and helps address symptoms before they turn into habits or result in further complications. In addition to the above management techniques, general healthy behaviors like eating a nutritious diet and being physically active each day can minimize symptoms and complications of cerebral palsy.

Since play is vital to developing motor skills in infants and children, setting up a play area optimally can also help to manage cerebral palsy symptoms. Try to enrich your child’s environment as much as possible by using brightly colored toys, toys of various textures, or toys that make noises to stimulate the senses (but be careful not to overdo this and cause sensory overload). Bring toys closer to the child to encourage them to use their fine motor skills to explore as much as possible.

Ensure that toys are developmentally appropriate and engaging for your child. Playing outdoors can also encourage more natural environmental interactions and gross motor movements through activities such as digging in a sandbox, swimming, or playing in a pile of leaves.

Early management of cerebral palsy is ideal because children’s brains have more plasticity than adult brains, which makes it easier for them to adapt and replace abnormal movement patterns. The younger the child is, the easier it is for their brains to learn and adapt.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy in Preemies: Key Points

Children born prematurely have an increased risk of cerebral palsy. Therefore, parents need to be aware of what symptoms to look out for and seek management as early as possible.

Hopefully, this article helped you better understand cerebral palsy in preemies and the importance of early management.

The post Cerebral Palsy in Preemies: Risks, Symptoms, and Management appeared first on Flint Rehab.

Intervening early in life can promote the development of proper movement patterns and optimize one’s functional abilities for a better quality of life. This article will explain how early intervention may boost functional abilities by exploring the following topics:

• Why is early intervention for cerebral palsy ideal?
• How the brain adapts early in life
• Importance of early diagnosis
• Goals of early intervention
• Examples of early intervention
• Making early intervention fun

Why is Early Intervention for Cerebral Palsy Ideal?

Early intervention for cerebral palsy is ideal because an infant’s brain is undergoing a key period of development. Brain damage, such as in individuals with cerebral palsy, disrupts typical patterns of development.

As a result, infants may begin missing significant developmental milestones or progressing toward them more slowly than expected.

If not addressed, these delays have the potential to cause the development of poor movement patterns and habits that could affect one’s entire life. Early intervention can combat this and promote optimal skill development from the start.

Additionally, beginning interventions for cerebral palsy early in life allows infants and toddlers to take advantage of the brain’s increased neuroplasticity (the ability to adapt and rewire itself).

How the Brain Adapts Early in Life (and Throughout Life)

Within the brain are millions upon millions of neural pathways. Repetitive patterns form these pathways. Repeating a pattern more often strengthens the corresponding neural pathway.

The brain is always ready to make new pathways and reorganize those that already exist through a process called neuroplasticity. This allows individuals to learn new skills, as well as to adjust, improve upon and perfect developing skills.

To further understand this, think of a child learning to walk. They start by taking a couple of steps holding on to a piece of furniture, then bravely step away to take a few shaky steps on their own. The more they practice, the better they are able to walk, until they are toddling all over.

Neuroplasticity creates, modifies, and strengthens the neural pathways involved in walking until the pathway becomes strong enough for walking to feel natural.

The brain is always undergoing changes through neuroplasticity, regardless of one’s age. However, there are certain times of life that different areas of the brain experience higher levels of neuroplasticity. Generally, the brain has highest levels of neuroplasticity early in life.

With this in mind, early intervention is ideal because the younger the individual, the more plasticity their brain has, and the easier it is to learn new skills and replace bad habits. It’s important to understand that the brain will always have neuroplasticity and that recovery is possible at any age.

As long as you’re practicing proper movement patterns and stimulating the brain, the brain will adjust and strengthen its neural pathways. However, early intervention for cerebral palsy is ideal because it takes advantage of a young brain’s eagerness to learn and quick adaptability.

Early Intervention Requires Early Diagnosis

Developmental delays are one of the first signs of cerebral palsy, but a developmental delay does not mean your child has CP. Doctors often don’t diagnose children with mild cerebral palsy until ages 2–5 because the symptoms may appear unclear.

Some doctors hesitate to diagnose infants with mild symptoms because they may end up not having cerebral palsy at all. However, waiting until symptoms escalate may also be problematic.

Although cerebral palsy appears in various ways, certain signs often prompt providers to assess whether an infant or toddler may have the condition. These may include:

• Delayed sitting ability in infants under 8 months old (typically children can sit without assistance between 6 and 7 months)
• Delayed walking in children over 8 months old (typically children begin walking between 10 and 14 months, and can walk well by 18 months)
• Infants who show a strong hand preference before age one may signal a developmental concern, as hand dominance typically doesn’t establish until age 2 or 3.

Even if doctors determine that cerebral palsy isn’t causing a child’s developmental delays, parents should still discuss with them whether early intervention could help.

Although the brain damage that caused cerebral palsy will not worsen over time, primary and secondary conditions of CP like spasticity and pain can. If you notice your child showing any of the signs above or other developmental delays, contact your pediatrician and advocate for a further evaluation to determine if early intervention is appropriate.

Goals of Early Intervention for Cerebral Palsy

Since cerebral palsy presents itself differently in each individual, treatment goals may vary. However, generally speaking, the goals of early intervention for cerebral palsy are to:

• Optimize mobility and coordination through interventions that promote neuroplasticity
• Prevent or manage the primary and secondary complications of cerebral palsy (like pain, scoliosis, hip displacement, and speech impairments) so that motor impairments are minimized and don’t interfere with development
• Provide families with tools they can use to promote reaching appropriate developmental milestones and optimize functional skills for improved quality of life

Early intervention training to promote neuroplasticity should be motivating, task-specific, and highly repetitive.

The more effective a task is at motivating your child, the easier it will be for them to perform the repetitions they need for neuroplasticity to occur.

Examples of Early Intervention for Cerebral Palsy

What does early intervention consist of? Since every case of cerebral palsy is unique, management requires an individualized approach.

Frequently, as early intervention occurs with infants and toddlers, parents and other family members are encouraged to participate in the therapy sessions. They may also be recommended to follow a home program to complete with their child daily.

Carrying over early intervention activities and integrating them into a family’s daily routine can greatly increase the number of repetitions of movements the child completes, which promotes neuroplasticity.

If your child has very minor muscle stiffness, early intervention may be as simple as a therapist educating the family on how to perform daily stretching for optimal motor development.

In contrast, children with more complicated symptoms may need to use a combination of multiple management interventions like:

• Physical therapy to improve joint range of motion, strengthen underused muscles, and practice moving with correct form through functional exercise and activities
• Orthotics to promote proper musculoskeletal alignment and gently stretch spastic (tight) muscles
• Occupational therapy to practice activities of daily living and fine motor skills
• Speech therapy to strengthen muscles around the mouth necessary for communication and feeding

Early intervention techniques that therapists use may vary, but they all tend to include the same components:

• Evaluation to determine the child’s current skill level and develop a plan for further intervention
• Treatment to encourage functional development through personalized activities and exercises

While these therapies may sound intimidating at first, children often come to really enjoy their therapy sessions. This is because therapists, especially those who specialize in early intervention and pediatrics, often integrate play into their sessions.

Making Early Intervention Fun

Not only does playing during therapy make the treatment more fun, but it also promotes optimal skill development and neuroplasticity as children tend to be motivated to complete more repetitious movements during engaging play than rote exercises.

Although activities used during early intervention vary by discipline and therapist, some examples that may be used during early intervention for cerebral palsy include:

• Sitting on a therapy ball or wiggly surface to improve core strength
• Doing crafts or playing games with small pieces, such as Mr. Potato Head, to encourage fine motor coordination
• Making various funny faces to strengthen muscles around the mouth
• Crawling or walking through an obstacle course for gross motor development

As you can see, early intervention can be fun and engaging for infants and toddlers, and the possibilities of activities that can be used to promote motor skills are endless!

Understanding Early Intervention for Cerebral Palsy

Early intervention is ideal for infants with cerebral palsy because it takes advantage of the extremely adaptive features of the developing brain.

Although early intervention will not “cure” cerebral palsy, it can significantly improve motor functions and prevent or delay the development of secondary complications.

Don’t wait until symptoms become problematic. Seek early intervention therapies to promote neuroplasticity and maximize mobility.

The post Early Intervention for Cerebral Palsy: Why It Matters & What to Do appeared first on Flint Rehab.

To explore this question, this article will explore:

• What is constraint-induced movement therapy?
• Who can benefit from CIMT?
• How does CIMT work?
• How the brain rewires itself
• Example activities

What is Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy?

Constraint-induced movement therapy is a practice used by occupational and physical therapists to promote upper-limb functions in people with neurologically-based motor disabilities. Although CIMT was originally developed to be used with individuals following stroke, its use has been expanded to treat other central nervous system conditions, such as cerebral palsy.

It involves 2 key components:

First, the unaffected arm must be restrained using a splint, glove, mitt, cast, or sling. This will promote use of the affected arm, as it is more readily available for use.

Second, the affected arm must undergo intensive therapy to learn how to move and function accurately.

By encouraging use of the affected arm, you’re stimulating the brain to strengthen associated movement pathways. Although it can be modified, this treatment is generally fairly extensive, and individuals are encouraged to use only their affected arm for the majority of the day while participating in therapy to achieve the best results.

Who can Benefit from Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Cerebral Palsy?

Many individuals with cerebral palsy may benefit from constraint-induced movement therapy, as it was designed to treat upper limb deficits in individuals with neurological conditions. CP is a neurological disease, caused by damage to the developing brain. This damage results in a variety of motor impairments, including differences in muscle tone, coordination, and posture. Depending on the location and severity of the damage, different areas of the body can be affected.

For example, some people have motor impairments primarily in their legs (diplegia), while others may be affected on one side of their body (hemiplegia), in one limb (monoplegia), or all over (quadriplegia).

Constraint-induced movement therapy is ideal for those with hemiplegia or monoplegia, when only one arm has motor impairments. It can be used for individuals of any age, with studies demonstrating effectiveness in adults as well as in infants as young as 3 months of age.

Although it is unclear how the severity of motor impairments in individuals with CP affects CIMT outcomes, most studies demonstrating the effectiveness of CIMT focused on those with moderate motor impairments. While various range of motion measurements have been proposed as predictors of optimal CIMT results in individuals following stroke, no such predictors have been established for those with CP.

Even though CIMT has been mainly utilized in treating individuals with affected arm or hand movements, there is a possibility that it could also help improve leg functions in individuals with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Research on CIMT for improved leg function has mainly focused on individuals following stroke, however many of the same principles could carry over to its use with individuals with cerebral palsy. Ask your therapist for more information.

Finally, as the intensity of many CIMT programs can be challenging and tiring, individuals undergoing CIMT should be motivated to improve for optimal results.

How does Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Work for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy?

Often individuals with hemiplegic or monoplegic CP will begin to compensate for their motor impairments early in life by using only the arm on the typically functioning side of the body. Just like the popular saying “use it or lose it”, when the affected arm is used less frequently, it loses its ability to function as easily.

As children continue to develop and learn that it is easier to play and perform other daily activities with their unaffected arm, the functional skills of their affected arm will decline until they eventually stop trying to use their affected arm altogether.

Even if the affected arm has very mild motor impairments, most children with hemiplegia will favor and use the unaffected arm while disregarding the affected one. This habit of learning to use primarily one arm due to motor impairments in the opposite arm is referred to as developmental disregard.

Being able to use only one arm can make it very challenging to participate in play and perform activities of daily living independently. Using only the unaffected arm can also contribute to the development of abnormal movements or musculoskeletal deformities.

Children with developmental disregard will likely find CIMT difficult and uncomfortable because they never learned how to use their affected arm. However, when stimulated, the brain has the capacity to adapt and learn to use the affected arm functionally.

How CIMT Helps the Brain Rewire Itself

This is where the concept of neuroplasticity comes into play. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to rewire itself that allows functions affected by brain damage to be improved or recovered.

Constraint-induced movement therapy works because it implements the fundamentals of neuroplasticity. The best way to promote neuroplasticity is to perform task-specific, high-repetition movements (which is exactly what constraint-induced movement therapy does).

CIMT focuses on improving arm and hand functions through functional exercises that require you to continuously use your affected arm. The more you practice using your affected arm, the more neural rewiring and strengthening occur.

The stronger the neural pathways for a movement become, the more intuitive the movement feels. Ideally, accurate movements with the affected arm and hand would become second-nature and no longer require much extra effort or concentration.

While CIMT is a great way to boost arm and hand functions, it is just one of many approaches that optimize neuroplasticity. Consider discussing which strategies are best for you for increased functional performance with your physical or occupational therapist for more personalized information.

Example Activities Used During Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

There are no specific tasks that have to be used for constraint-induced movement therapy. Typically, the most effective activities are those that are engaging, highly repetitious, and appropriately challenging. Depending on the age and interests of the individual, CIMT may focus on activities of daily living (getting dressed, eating, grooming, etc) or play activities.

Examples of activities that can be used during CIMT for cerebral palsy include:

• Daily activities: These are great for older children and adults alike, and may include sorting silverware, picking up crackers or berries, turning a doorknob, opening cupboards or drawers, and pressing buttons.
• Games: These often involve picking up and manipulating small items such as dice, playing cards, dominoes and game pieces.
• Play activities: These can be tailored to a child’s interests, such as building a tower with blocks or Legos, finger painting, playing with cars, moving small dolls in a dollhouse, and throwing a ball.
• MusicGlove: This is fun, engaging device that involves wearing a sensorized glove while moving the fingers to the beat of a musical game. The glove will track your movement and allow individuals to be intensively training their affected hand without feeling like they are having to do exercises!

Discover more activities you can practice with constraint-induced movement therapy»

While these are just examples, they are all great ways to encourage repetitive movements to improve arm and hand functions through neuroplasticity. Following CIMT, it is important to continue not only using your affected arm, but also to work on using both of your arms together. Bimanual activities that may encourage this include stringing beads, shuffling cards, cutting with scissors or a knife and fork, and washing dishes.

An occupational or physical therapist can help you discover which activities are best for you and adapt them to your specific skill level for a just right challenge.

Understanding Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy and Cerebral Palsy

In summary, constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective treatment technique to boost mobility in affected arms and hands of individuals with hemiplegic or monoplegic cerebral palsy. It can be used with both children and adults to combat developmental disregard and increase functional use of the affected arm and hand. CIMT is one of many therapeutic techniques used to boost arm and hand functions by optimizing neuroplasticity.

Ultimately, the best results are going to come from how many repetitions of affected movements you perform. Find what motivates you and keep practicing!

The post Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Cerebral Palsy: How It Works appeared first on Flint Rehab.

This article will share some of the best adaptive equipment for individuals with cerebral palsy.

Adaptive Equipment for Cerebral Palsy

There are a variety of adaptive tools and equipment that can help individuals with cerebral palsy become as functional as possible. Because everyone experiences cerebral palsy differently, some tools may be more ideal for individuals with certain types of cerebral palsy than others.

For example, if an individual only experiences motor impairments in the legs, adaptive tools for the arms and hands won’t be necessary.

Below, we’ll share 10 adaptive tools that can help boost mobility and functional independence in individuals with cerebral palsy.

1. Wheelchair

Children with cerebral palsy may have difficulties walking due to irregular muscle tone in their hips and legs or poor trunk stability. A wheelchair can help individuals get to where they need to go independently.

Some people with cerebral palsy may have impaired motor control throughout their upper body and lower bodies and consequently, may not be physically able to operate a manual wheelchair. In such cases, it will be ideal to utilize a power wheelchair or power scooter.

Depending on their needs and insurance coverage, some individuals with cerebral palsy may even be able to get a standing power wheelchair. These can further promote use of the legs in a safe, supported position, and can increase social participation and inclusion with peers.

A physical therapist, occupational therapist, or assistive technology professional (ATP) can help you get a wheelchair personalized to an individual’s specific needs. This may include having specific cushion styles, positioning devices, and power functions, in addition to choosing from various colors and accessories.

2. Gait Trainer

A gait trainer will help children with cerebral palsy develop their walking skills. Gait trainers can vary in design; some will come with a built-in harness to prevent falling while others will be designed for postural alignment and support from behind.

A gait trainer allows your child to practice bearing and shifting their body weight. This helps strengthen the muscles and bones and prevents them from atrophying. A gait trainer can also help prevent the development of leg contractures by promoting movement.

3. Universal Cuff

Universal cuffs are versatile adaptive tools that can help children with motor impairments in their hands perform tasks that require fine motor skills such as gripping.

They can be attached to objects like toothbrushes, utensils, and pencils. They create a handle and/or larger grip so that the object is easier to hold.

A universal cuff will help promote children’s independence by allowing and encouraging them to practice more tasks on their own. 

Find universal cuffs on Amazon »

4. Communication Boards

Some children with cerebral palsy have speech impairments that interfere with their ability to communicate with others. Many children with speech impairments are very intelligent; they just lack the motor control over their oral muscles needed to produce speech.

Utilizing a communication board can promote better speech and language skills by combining sounds with a visual aid. Communication boards can be as simple as one printed board with pictures, or more advanced, such as multiple boards integrated into book form (like a PODD book). They can also be technology-based, such as those designed to be used on an IPad or other electronic device.

Generally, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) will teach your child how to use a communication board. An SLP can also design personalized communication boards for specific situations and interests a child may have.

Check out this video for an example of how communication boards work.

Find communication boards on Amazon »

5. Adaptive Utensils

If cerebral palsy affects the hands and arms, individuals may struggle to grip utensils or bend their wrists. Adaptive utensils can help encourage children with cerebral palsy to eat on their own.

There are many different types of adaptive utensils for varying levels of motor impairments. Some adaptive utensils will have larger grips so that the handles are easier to hold. Others might bend to a certain angle or have handles/straps that wrap around the arm to prevent being dropped. Still others are weighted to limit the effects of tremors.

Find adaptive tools on Amazon »

6. Nosey Cup

Another adaptive tool that will promote independent feeding in children with cerebral palsy is a nosey cup. It’s designed to keep your child from spilling while drinking.

The curve in the top of the cup allows space for your child’s nose, so they can lift the cup to drink without tilting their head as much.

Find nosey cups on Amazon »

7. Leg Lifter

Children with severe motor impairments in their legs and unaffected upper body motor control may benefit from using a leg lifter. They make transferring in and out of wheelchairs and into bed much easier.

To move the legs, simply place one foot inside of the loop and pull the rope.

Find leg lifters on Amazon »

8. Braces

Braces can help keep the body aligned and limit spasticity in the neck, torso, arms, and legs.

They promote proper positioning to prevent developmental deformities or contractures caused by spasticity and help prevent uncontrollable movements. They also can help build strength and gently stretch tight muscles, even when your child is not actively exercising.

9. Standing Frame

A standing aid is a piece of adaptive equipment that can help children with cerebral palsy develop strength in their legs by encouraging them to bear their own weight.

Standing aids also help promote postural symmetry, circulation to the lower extremities, and muscle endurance.

With the help of a standing frame, children may gradually learn to stabilize themselves in an upright position, which brings them one step closer to standing on their own.

Find standing frames on Amazon »

10. Bath Chairs

Kids with CP may find it difficult to sit upright in the bathtub because of poor balance skills and the slippery environment. A bath chair will help children stay in place during their baths and provide additional neck and back support.

Find bath chairs on Amazon »

Exercise Equipment to Help Individuals with Cerebral Palsy Improve Their Mobility

One of the best ways for individuals with cerebral palsy improve their motor functions is practice moving with correct form as much as possible.

Physical and occupational therapy can be extremely effective to help individuals perform the repetitions they need to stimulate adaptive changes in brain. However, the repetitions performed in a weekly therapy session are not enough. Therefore, it is essential for individuals with cerebral palsy to also practice the exercises and activities they learn in therapy at home as well.

While it sounds simple, many individuals struggle to stay motivated to practice at home. This is where investing in at-home neurorehabilitation devices can help drive functional improvements.

For example, FitMi is a full-body physical therapy device that turns your everyday exercise routine into a fun, interactive game. By interacting with the sensorized pucks and following the challenges displayed on the screen, individuals remain engaged and are more likely to practice the exercises they need to improve their movements.

Learn more about FitMi »

If you’re specifically looking for a tool to help improve hand functions affected by cerebral palsy, MusicGlove is ideal. In fact, it’s clinically proven to improve hand function in just 2 weeks.

This device combines music, gaming, and hand therapy to encourage users to perform high repetitions of thumb-finger opposition movements. By developing these movements, individuals can improve their ability to grasp objects and perform everyday tasks such as turning a doorknob.

Learn more about MusicGlove »

In the following section, we’ll discuss why focusing on therapeutic exercise is ideal for cerebral palsy management.

How to Avoid Overdependence on Adaptive Tools

The use of adaptive equipment to manage cerebral palsy involves two primary goals. The first is to help individuals perform everyday tasks on their own. The second is to encourage improvements by promoting neurological adaptations in the brain through highly repetitive practice.

Individuals with cerebral palsy should be using adaptive tools with the intention of no longer needing them in the future. The best way to do this is to continuously practice the associated task, which will stimulate the brain and reinforce demand for that function.

The brain’s ability to adapt (neuroplasticity) is promoted through consistent repetition. Moreover, children’s brains are capable of learning new skills faster than adult brains. Therefore, it’s ideal to use adaptive tools to develop daily living skills as early as possible.

Once your child gets comfortable using adaptive tools, it’s a good idea to find a more challenging alternative or have them try the task without the tools. This will stimulate new pathways in areas of the brain that are not affected by damage. These new pathways could potentially replace movement patterns affected by cerebral palsy. The more your child practices these new skills, the stronger the neural pathways for them will become.

Adaptive Equipment for Cerebral Palsy: Key Points

Adaptive equipment can help individuals with cerebral palsy maximize their functional independence. These tools encourage individuals to be more physically active and practice movements affected by motor impairments.

However, individuals with cerebral palsy should also try to avoid overdependence on adaptive tools and try to practice these tasks without them when possible. This will help stimulate neuroplasticity and encourage better motor control.  

The post Helpful Adaptive Equipment for Cerebral Palsy Management appeared first on Flint Rehab.

Many individuals with cerebral palsy improve their mobility in their teens. To help you understand why the teen years are actually a prime time for promoting functional improvements, this article will discuss:

• The development of teen brains
• How to improve mobility
• Teen recovery stories
• Tips for parents of teens with cerebral palsy

The Developing Brain of Teenagers with Cerebral Palsy

The teen years are a crucial period for brain development. Dr. Karen Pape explains in her book, The Boy Who Could Run But Not Walk, that during puberty, “teenagers gain up to 40% more brainpower” and that “most of the change is in maturation of functions and improvement of the interconnections between different brain areas.”

The prefrontal cortex continues to develop well into adulthood. It’s the part of the brain responsible for understanding actions and consequences, impulse control, and decision-making. As this part of the brain matures, teens develop a better understanding of how to set and achieve goals.

Instead of mindlessly going to physical therapy or wearing orthotics because their parents make them, teenagers with cerebral palsy will begin to understand the purpose of committing to management interventions for their motor impairments. They’ll figure out that improving their functional abilities is something that they want and are capable of motivating themselves.

The brains and bodies of teens are still developing and with the right mindset, individuals have the potential to improve their motor functions.

How Teens with Cerebral Palsy Can Improve Their Mobility

With all this potential for improvement, why do motor functions often appear to worsen or plateau in teenagers?

For a long time, it was assumed that the brain cannot adapt and that any effects of brain damage were permanent. We now know that the brain has neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize its neural circuitry. It allows for functions affected by brain damage to be rewired to healthy regions of the brain and improved.

The best way to promote neuroplasticity is through massed practice. The brain is extremely adaptive, and consistent repetition helps reinforce demand for affected functions. As a result, the more you practice the skills you want to improve, the more rewiring and strengthening of neural pathways occurs in the brain.

Thousands of repetitions are required to rewire the brain, and many individuals with cerebral palsy don’t participate in the necessary therapy or exercise to achieve this. Therefore, it’s essential for teenagers with cerebral palsy to practice high repetitions of targeted exercises daily (whether they have therapy that day or not) to promote improvements in motor functions.

Often, individuals struggle to practice the exercises provided by a physical therapist at home. They either get bored or lose motivation. Investing in home rehabilitation devices can help encourage individuals to consistently practice high repetitions of therapeutic exercises.

For example, FitMi is an interactive home therapy program that motivates individuals to perform the repetitions they need to improve their mobility. It includes 40 exercises for the hands, arms, core, and legs to promote improvements in motor control throughout the entire body. It also adapts to the user’s ability level to ensure that they’re challenged the perfect amount to stay engaged and keep practicing.

Although focusing on specific targeted exercises is a great way to promote improvements, even practicing certain activities regularly can help improve motor functions. For example, if an individual is working on improving standing balance, they may find that practicing yoga yields excellent benefits and is more enjoyable and engaging. Alternatively, taking up cookie decorating may be a way to promote coordination and precision for a teen who has difficulties with fine motor skills.

Recovery Stories of Teenagers with Cerebral Palsy

To help prove that teenagers with cerebral palsy can continue to see improvements in their motor functions, we’re going to share the experiences of two teens.

Meet Mason

This first story is from Dr. Karen Pape’s The Boy Who Could Run But Not Walk. Mason is a teen with CP that refused to wear orthotics and continue additional physical therapy because he was convinced that he couldn’t get any better and accepted his circumstances.

He eventually ended up joining an intensive, 1-week physical therapy program. In that single week, he experienced improved posture and balance. He even learned to walk with his legs instead of leaning his weight on his assistive devices.

From skeptic to firm believer, Mason now understands that if he stays motivated and puts in the work, neuroplasticity is possible, and great improvements can happen.

Meet Alex

Alex is also a teen with cerebral palsy. She’s been going to physical therapy since she was 1 year old, but it wasn’t until she joined an intensive physical therapy program that she was able to walk with crutches.

The difference between traditional physical therapy and intensive physical therapy is the amount of time dedicated each week toward improving motor functions. Rather than going in for an hour a few times a week, intensive physical therapy requires many hours of practice to be concentrated over a shorter period. As a result, individuals perform way more repetitions than they would in traditional physical therapy, which stimulates the brain to adapt.

“Alex never would have accomplished this through traditional PT alone. Traditional therapy sessions do not engage individuals in long enough periods of time, but her local PT integrated with other forms of therapy will now help maintain this progress.”

By participating in intensive physical therapy, Alex has become more confident, motivated, and strong.

Tips for Parents of Teenagers with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a life-long condition and it’s important for teens to understand what to do when their caregivers aren’t around.

As a parent, it’s normal to want to help your child as much as possible, especially if they have a motor disability like cerebral palsy. However, being too helpful can backfire. Consider adopting a more hands-free approach to parenting so that your teen has more freedom to develop their independence and figure things out on their own.

Teens with cerebral palsy should practice asking others for help as needed, performing activities of daily living, and explaining their disability so that others can understand their needs. This will help them navigate school, work, and other social environments with more confidence and independence.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy in Teenagers: Key Points

When it comes down to it, neuroplasticity is possible at any age. The brain is always making new connections. However, there are times in life (like adolescence) when the brain experiences heightened levels of neuroplasticity and the potential to improve is greater.

While the brain damage that caused cerebral palsy will not get worse over time, complications of CP such as pain and spasticity can. Therefore, committing to management interventions like physical therapy, orthotics, and medications is essential.

There’s hope for functional improvement in teenagers with cerebral palsy, but you need to be willing to put in the work and perform the repetitions necessary to promote neuroplasticity. We hope this article helped you understand how cerebral palsy can affect teens and that it’s never too late to improve your mobility.

The post Cerebral Palsy in Teenagers: How to Keep Recovery Going (Plus Success Stories) appeared first on Flint Rehab.

To help you understand what serial casting is and how it can help individuals with cerebral palsy, this article will discuss:

• What is it?
• How long must the cast be worn?
• What to expect once the cast is applied
• Long-term outcomes

What is Serial Casting?

Serial casting is used for children with cerebral palsy that have shortened muscles due to spasticity. When muscles stay contracted, they limit the joint’s range of motion, which results in stiff movements.

Serial casting holds the joint in place so that there is slight tension on the muscle. This tension will gradually make the muscle longer and more flexible. It’s most commonly used for the ankle area, but can also be used for the knees, elbows, wrists, or fingers.

The goal of serial casting is to increase range of motion and lengthen contracted muscles through subtle, prolonged stretching. It ensures that the muscle is constantly being stretched, even when your child isn’t doing anything. This is called passive stretching and it helps prevent spastic muscles from further tightening throughout the day.

Often, spastic muscles can pull the limbs into abnormal positions and negatively impact an individual’s movement patterns. Serial casting provides musculoskeletal support to ensure the limbs stay in place and prevent the development of poor form.

The cast will gently stretch the muscles, so it should not be painful. As you continue to maintain a stretch, the amount of tension decreases, which allows the muscle fibers to lengthen. Each time that the cast is replaced, the muscle can be stretched further.

How Long is the Serial Casting Process?

Serial casting is non-invasive, making it ideal for children. It’s a gradual process that may provide changes for several weeks or months.

Generally, the cast is replaced every 7 days for a period of up to 12 weeks. However, the cast can be replaced slightly earlier or later depending on the severity of the individual’s spasticity.

A study suggests that changing the cast within 5 days or less is optimal to the traditional 7 days because it reduces the potential for complications to develop and the consequent discontinuation of casting. For example, changing the cast more often can reduce the retention of moisture that can lead to skin irritations. Additionally, it may shorten the total serial casting intervention timeline.

What to Expect After Serial Casting

Initially, the cast might feel uncomfortable. It shouldn’t be painful, but it will add extra weight to the individual’s leg. However, individuals should adjust to the cast quickly and be able to function as they did before they got the cast. It’s recommended for individuals to be active while they have the cast on because it will help them adjust to walking with improved form.

Another caution to be aware of is that areas inside the cast may get itchy. To reduce itching, keep the cast dry. Moisture retention may cause blistering or pressure sores. Additionally, prevent your child from sticking anything inside the cast to relieve the itchiness. This may further irritate the skin or even cause items to get stuck inside the cast.

A cast is generally low maintenance, but it does need to stay dry. Children will need to wrap their cast with plastic wrap, secure it with medical tape, and place a plastic bag around it when they bathe. Even though it is covered, the limb with the cast should never go in the water.

Can Serial Casting Treat Spasticity Long-Term?

The effects of serial casting are not permanent and will require maintenance after the cast is removed. Your child’s doctor may advise wearing a brace overnight. Braces can be taken on and off throughout the day and will help maintain your child’s range of motion.

As previously mentioned, serial casting may last up to 12 weeks, and the continuous stretching will lengthen the muscle fibers. However, failure to continue stretching and exercising after the cast is removed may cause your muscles to shorten again.

It’s important to take advantage of the effects of serial casting and practice moving with correct form as much as you can to retain the improved function.

Serial Casting for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Serial casting is well-tolerated by most children because it is mild, gradual, and comes with minimal side effects if properly taken care of.

Casting helps promote correct musculoskeletal alignment and prevents the muscles from further tightening. Additionally, prolonged stretching will lengthen muscles to improve flexibility, range of motion, and gait.

We hope this article helped you better understand what serial casting is and how it can help individuals with cerebral palsy manage their spasticity.

The post Serial Casting for Cerebral Palsy: How It Works to Help Reduce Spasticity appeared first on Flint Rehab.