Treatments and Services

Everyone should have the opportunity to live life as fully as possible. At the Perlman Center, we help children, adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy and other physical challenges do just that. Our experienced team provides care coordination and extensive therapies and services throughout every stage of your child’s life.

For more information or to get started, contact us.

Care Coordination

Your child’s multidisciplinary team includes a care coordinator—an experienced social worker who understands your family’s challenges. Your care coordinator will help you find the resources you need at Cincinnati Children’s and in the community, including:

• Assistive technology
• Enrichment activities
• Financial resources
• Medical care
• School readiness and educational services
• Support groups

Integrated Therapies for All Ages

The Perlman Center’s one-of-a-kind therapy model integrates occupational, physical and speech therapies and an early childhood specialist to help your child reach their potential in every area of life. Our close-knit team provides comprehensive, individualized support, keeping your family at the center of everything we do.

Baby Stars: Integrated Therapy for Babies (Birth to 12 months of age)

Baby Stars is a 12-week program for infants up to one year old who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy or high risk of cerebral palsy. This program offers support and early interventions during the first months of your baby’s life. Interventions can have a profound effect during this critical period of development. During each weekly session, you and your baby will engage with a team of occupational, physical and speech therapists, a care coordinator and other parents. Baby Stars focuses on:

• Bonding activities with your baby
• Coaching to help you provide interventions at home
• Education to help you understand your child’s condition
• Holistic, evidence-based therapies for your child
• Parent-to-parent support

Early Intervention: Integrated Therapy for Ages 0–3 Years

Our integrated therapy program lays the foundation for successful growth and development during your child’s first three years. Our occupational, physical and speech therapists work with your family to address your child’s physical and developmental needs and their equipment needs.

Therapists work with small groups of three to four children during two-hour sessions once or twice weekly. We collaborate with you to identify target areas that need attention and engage you in your child’s therapy activities. Program components include:

• Advanced assistive technology and therapy equipment to help children move and communicate
• Group-based and one-on-one therapy
• Opportunities for children to interact with each other
• Parent education
• Parent-to-parent support

Early Childhood Therapeutic Program: Integrated Therapy for (2.5–5 Years)

Integrated therapy continues for children through pre-kindergarten with intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy in a stimulating, early learning environment. The care team includes physical, occupational and speech therapists, plus an early childhood teacher for the entire session.

Groups include six to eight children and meet for 2½ hours twice a week. Therapy is provided individually, in pairs with other children, and in groups. We focus on:

• Assistive technology to enrich your child’s life
• Education and coaching to help you incorporate therapy activities at home
• Kindergarten readiness activities
• Intensive, evidence-based therapy to improve mobility, strength, body control, communication and social interaction

Support for the School Years

During the school years, our team ensures your child has the therapy and assistive technology needed to succeed. We work with your child’s school during critical transition periods, providing detailed information about your child’s performance improvement goals and equipment, assistive technology and physical access needs.

Your child’s therapists and social worker stay connected with the school’s therapists and teachers to ensure your child is well-cared for. We help provide:

• Communication aids, such as computers, communication devices and symbol boards
• Equipment, such as customized seating and power mobility for use inside and outside the classroom
• Ongoing technical assistance for your child’s school team
• Resources and service coordination
• Summer and in-school enrichment programs for the kids
• Support for your child’s school individualized education plan (IEP)
• Technology to help with reading and writing

Learn more about our support during the school years in the “Teach Me Tech” tab in the Assistive Technology Programs section on this page.

Support for Adults

Adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities find specialized support at the Perlman Center. Through our assistive technology program, we help them lead more independent and productive lives. Whether it’s to help with higher education, career development or job performance—or to improve independence, fitness and quality of life—our team works with each individual to find the right technology solutions. Keep reading to learn more about our assistive technology programs.

Assistive Technology Programs

Technology can be life-changing for children and adults with cerebral palsy and many other physically limiting conditions. Applying technology to enhance participation in everyday life is what the Perlman Center does best. Your child’s individualized technology plan may include some or all of the following:

• Communication aids to encourage better interactions at home, school and the community
• Environmental controls to adjust lights, operate audiovisual equipment, etc.
• Equipment to support activities of daily living, such as bathing and standing
• Home modifications, such as patient lifts and ramps
• In-services and consultations to help schools support the use of technology
• Mobility devices such as high-end power wheelchairs
• Positioning aids to support sitting, standing and sleeping
• Technology adaptations to make using the computer easier and more enjoyable

Assistive Technology Evaluations and Support

Our team provides comprehensive assistive technology evaluations and matches people to the right technology for their unique needs. We also train people to use and integrate technologies into everyday life, going above and beyond to help them be as independent as possible. When we recommend technology, families receive funding more than 90% of the time—an excellent track record. And we work closely with vendors to ensure that equipment delivery and set-up meet our high standards.

Assistive Technology Solutions for Teens and Adults

The Perlman Center offers a specialized technology program for teens and adults at our Stepping Stones location in nearby Norwood, Ohio. Occupational, physical and speech therapists work with teens, adults, and their families to develop a plan of care that centers on how technology can support independence and an improved quality of life. Our team helps teens and adults find the specialized equipment and augmentative communication they need and trains them to use it effectively.

Assistive Technology Solutions for People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Assistive technology can make life easier and better for people with ALS. Our speech therapists provide a complete evaluation and recommend technology that meets each person’s needs. One area of focus is augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC strategies allow people to communicate when they do not have the physical ability to use verbal speech. Examples include using speech-generating devices and sign language.

Teach Me Tech for School-Aged Children and Teens

Our Teach Me Tech program is for children and teens with cerebral palsy and other disabilities who rely on technology to help them read, write and communicate. Occupational and speech therapists work with groups of four to six kids to encourage interactive learning and build communication skills. Groups meet for about two hours a week for eight weeks.

Adapted Play Sessions For Children Ages 2–12 Years: Play for All!

Play is an essential activity for children. But playtime isn’t always easy or fun for kids who have difficulty opening their hands or keeping their hands closed. That’s why we developed Play for All! This program offers two to three sessions with an occupational therapist specializing in cerebral palsy, adaptive play and assistive technology. The occupational therapist will:

Play for All! is designed for children ages 2 through 12 who need help playing with toys because of limited use of their hands.

Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy uses the benefits of warm water to relax spastic muscles, promote greater flexibility and develop more controlled movement. Led by a physical therapist certified in aquatic therapy, the program offers one-on-one and group classes and encourages parents and caregivers to participate. Our aquatic therapy center is in Montgomery, Ohio.

Cerebral Visual Impairment Services

Perlman Center occupational therapists partner with pediatric ophthalmologists to provide comprehensive visual motor evaluations. Children who are diagnosed with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) or another visual motor delay benefit from several services at the Perlman Center, including: