Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy (OT/PT) for Children with Cerebral Palsy

At Cincinnati Children’s, we have a team of occupational and physical therapists dedicated to helping children with cerebral palsy maximize their independence. Using specialized programs that address each child’s unique needs, we work with your family to identify your therapy goals and work toward them together.

Our occupational therapists help children with cerebral palsy learn skills and participate in activities so they can live as independently as possible. Most importantly, occupational therapy for cerebral palsy allows children, adolescents, and young adults who have injuries, physical challenges, or developmental disabilities to live their lives to the fullest—at home, at school, and in the community.

Our physical therapists focus on improving motor skills, balance, coordination, strength, and endurance. Physical therapists address children’s needs at an age-appropriate level to facilitate independence and participation in their home and community.

Your child may meet with an occupational therapist or physical therapist during an inpatient stay following a surgical procedure or during an outpatient appointment. Your child also may meet with our therapists in one of our clinics, which include:

• Infant Motor Evaluation Clinic
• Orthopaedic Cerebral Palsy Clinic
• Rehab Medicine Cerebral Palsy Clinic
• Surgical Spasticity Clinic

Our occupational therapists and physical therapists provide:

• An engaging and effective approach to therapy that will help your child feel good about reaching new milestones and learning new skills
• Appointments at neighborhood locations throughout the Cincinnati area
• Convenient hours (including evenings) that fit your schedule
• Telehealth and home health visits

How Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Can Help Children with Cerebral Palsy

Our therapists use evidence-based therapy programs, services, and technologies so that children with cerebral palsy can reach their full potential.

Occupational therapy and physical therapy can help:

• Improve spasticity symptoms, which is especially important after a medical procedure such as a Botox injection, baclofen pump implant, selective dorsal rhizotomy, or orthopaedic surgery
• Manage stiff joints and tight muscles with techniques including serial casting and therapy interventions after orthopaedic surgery
• Strengthen muscles, using strength and endurance training activities and electrical stimulation
• Improve motor skills through interventions that may include constraint-induced movement therapy, goal-directed training, and high-intensity treadmill training
• Improve a child’s independence with feeding, bathing, toileting, school/work activities, and play
• Improve posture, seating, and positioning
• Assist in identifying adaptive equipment

State-of-the-Art Therapies and Technologies

Many of our therapists have advanced training and specialty certification in using adaptive equipment and assistive technology. These tools help children with cerebral palsy be more active, improve communication, learn in school, and participate in daily life. We can help you identify your child's needs and work with manufacturers and insurance companies to help meet those needs.

Our therapists use a variety of cutting-edge technologies to evaluate and treat children with cerebral palsy, including:

• Virtual reality and robotic equipment, such as:
  • Amadeo
  • Armeo
  • Bioness H200
  • Bioness L300
  • Bodyweight support equipment
  • Lokomat
  • Pablo
  • Saebo Rejoyce
  • Tymo
  • WalkAide
  • Zero-G
  • Trexo
  • Oculus Quest
• Interactive gaming such as Wii or Xbox
• High-tech cameras and software in our Motion Analysis Lab to pinpoint the underlying reasons for your child’s mobility issues and to identify which therapies will help the most

Other Outpatient Therapies and Services

Our occupational therapists and physical therapists also provide other outpatient services, including:

• Adaptive activities such as bike riding, running, dancing, rock climbing, and skiing through our Community Wellness program
• Aquatic therapy designed to help children improve their abilities on land
• Equipment recommendations to improve independence and mobility through our wheelchair clinic
• Feeding therapies to improve oral motor and feeding skills
• Hippotherapy, which uses the movement of a horse to help children improve in areas like muscle strength, posture, and coordination
• Sport-specific therapies
• Vision evaluations for children with cortical visual impairment

Benefits of Our Team Approach

Our therapists are leaders in the field of rehabilitation. We’ve helped develop therapy guidelines for children with cerebral palsy that other hospitals nationwide use to care for their patients.

Our therapists are involved with research to explore new therapies and technologies to help advance care for children with cerebral palsy. Your child may have the chance to join one of these research studies, which can mean early access to cutting-edge therapies and technologies.

Working Together to Help Your Child

When it comes to helping your child maximize their independence, teamwork is essential. Our occupational therapists and physical therapists work together with your family and with other specialists on your child’s care team to get the most out of each therapy encounter.

Your child may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, or a combination of both, depending on the challenges they face.

What to Expect

Your child’s first appointment with an occupational therapist or physical therapist will include a thorough assessment to identify your child’s strengths, challenges, and goals for therapy. We’ll then put together a treatment plan that’s personalized to your child, adjusting when needed as we see how your child progresses.

When and how often your child needs occupational therapy and physical therapy depends on several factors, including their age, motivation, goals, and abilities. You and your child’s therapist will work together to determine how often to schedule therapy sessions. We’ll ensure your child is getting the right therapy at the right time to give them the best possible outcome.

After your appointments, we’ll give you an “After Visit Summary” and guidance so you can continue therapy at home. You can check in with us between appointments—via email, phone calls, or MyChart—as often as you need.