Innovative, Compassionate Care for Children with Cerebral Palsy

The Cerebral Palsy Program at Cincinnati Children’s offers exceptional care and expertise in diagnosing and treating cerebral palsy (CP) in children. At Cincinnati Children’s, we understand that every child with cerebral palsy deserves care that embraces their unique needs, goals and abilities.

Our multidisciplinary team of more than 50 specialized physicians, surgeons, therapists, nurses, social workers, speech-language pathologists and other expert providers work together to help each child reach their full potential. Working with experts throughout Cincinnati Children’s, we support more than 2,200 children from around the world every year, delivering comprehensive evaluations, tailored treatment recommendations and coordinated care.

Experts in Diagnosing and Treating Cerebral Palsy in Children

Our team of highly skilled physicians, surgeons, physical and occupational therapists, and others are leaders in cerebral palsy care. We are pioneers in developing clinical practices that have been adopted by hospitals around the world. Our experts are at the forefront of groundbreaking research, creating new therapies aimed at improving outcomes for children with cerebral palsy. This leadership in innovation gives our patients early access to the latest technologies and treatments for CP.

Our Cerebral Palsy Program provides advanced therapies for every aspect of CP care, and it focuses on providing children with the individual attention they need. Our care team will create a personalized treatment plan that offers the most effective therapies for your child at the right time. If you travel to Cincinnati for an evaluation or surgery, we will share the treatment plan with your child’s local providers to ensure seamless follow-up care in your hometown.

When it comes to helping your child live life to the fullest, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Why Choose Us?

Comprehensive Services to Treat Cerebral Palsy

Our care team provides the full spectrum of medical, surgical and therapeutic treatments to care for children with cerebral palsy. Our services support infants to young adults and include:

• Assistive technology
• Cognitive evaluation for school planning
• Comprehensive spasticity management
• Equipment assessment and provision
• Nutrition management
• Orthopaedic management
• Participation in clinical trials
• School transition planning
• Support in obtaining community services
• Surgical treatments such as implanting a baclofen pump and selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR)
• Therapy programs (occupational and physical therapy, and speech therapy)
• Therapeutic early intervention

Integrated Treatment Approach

Each patient is seen by expert physicians, therapists, social workers, nursing care coordinators and dietitians depending on their needs. Our team works together to develop a comprehensive plan of care tailored to each child. Families benefit from coordinated care, interdisciplinary assessments and ongoing management.

Leading-edge Technology and Treatment

Our program offers a range of specialized therapies, advanced medical interventions and surgical options. We use the latest technology, including our state-of-the-art Motion Analysis Lab, minimally invasive orthopaedic techniques, selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery, virtual reality therapies and tools for augmentative communication.

Strength in Therapy Programs

Recognizing that children with CP may require several kinds of therapy, our occupational, physical and speech therapy programs offer holistic support for young children with CP or other physically limiting conditions. We provide many of these services through the Perlman Center.

National and International Leaders in Cerebral Palsy Care

The Cerebral Palsy Program is led by national and international leaders in cerebral palsy care. Our medical directors represent three different divisions at Cincinnati Children’s, a reflection of our multidisciplinary approach.

• JiIda N. Vargus-Adams, MD, MSc, is a pediatric rehabilitation specialist who leads the Rehab Medicine Cerebral Palsy Clinic at Cincinnati Children’s. Vargus-Adams is a national leader in cerebral palsy care, serving as president of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. She also is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Executive Committee for the Council on Children with Disabilities. In addition to caring for patients, Vargus-Adams is an active researcher who is exploring new ways of diagnosing and treating cerebral palsy early in life.
• James J. McCarthy, MD, MHCM, is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and director of the Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics at Cincinnati Children’s and leads the Orthopaedic Cerebral Palsy Clinic. McCarthy is an international expert on cerebral palsy surgical interventions, with over 20 years of experience in the treatment and evaluation of children with cerebral palsy. He recently formed a panel of experts from 15 institutions around the world with the goal of developing standardized care guidelines for children with CP.
• Charles B. Stevenson, MD, FAANS, FACS, FAAP, is a pediatric neurosurgeon who founded the Surgical Spasticity Clinic at Cincinnati Children’s to help children whose mobility and quality of life have been affected by spasticity. Stevenson is a national leader in optimizing outcomes and the safety of surgical treatments to reduce spasticity, and an investigator for the Cerebral Palsy Research Network, a multi-center collaborative that develops standardized care guidelines to improve CP outcomes. He travels nationally and internationally to teach minimally invasive techniques for selective dorsal rhizotomy.