Kennedy Krieger's Specialties

Cerebral Palsy

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy, often referred to as CP, is a condition that results from injury to the brain. The injury may occur before, during or shortly following birth. The word “cerebral” refers to the brain and “palsy” refers to difficulty controlling movement. Cerebral palsy is neither progressive nor communicable. Although it is not curable, medical and therapeutic intervention can help.

The symptoms of CP can vary greatly. Depending on which part of the brain has been injured, different parts of the body may be involved or impaired. For instance, one or more of the following areas may be affected: general movement, walking, vision, hearing, speech and/or learning.

When to Refer a Child

Children needing help with skills such as rolling over, sitting, crawling, walking, babbling, using words, feeding, learning new social or play skills or meeting other developmental milestones may be referred to the Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental Medicine at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Referrals may come from family members, pediatricians or other professionals working with the child.

The Phelps Center Team

Kennedy Krieger’s Phelps Center team is comprised of an interdisciplinary group of professionals who work together with local physicians and families to meet children’s individual needs. The team of specialists is chosen to meet the specific needs of each patient, so not all patients will meet with all specialists. Clinicians review children’s medical histories before their initial appointments to determine which specialists should take part in the evaluation.

Developmental Pediatrician
Assesses family history and conducts the medical evaluation to determine the child’s ability to move his or her body.

Physical Therapist
May suggest activities that can be done at home to support and promote the child’s motor skill development

Clinical Psychologist
May evaluate children for delays in speech or eye/hand skills. The psychologist will use tests that measure thinking and reasoning skills.

Speech-Language Therapist
May make suggestions to stimulate communication at home if there are concerns about the child’s communication skills.

Behavioral Psychologist
Assesses the child’s interactive skills and behavior and may offer strategies for management or skill enhancement.

Occupational Therapist
Focuses on hand/arm function, improving daily living skills and identifying assistive technology that matches children’s individual needs.

Audiologist
Conducts tests to assess the child’s hearing and recommends hearing devices, if appropriate.

What You Can Expect

We recognize how important a child’s family or caregivers are to the evaluation and treatment process, and strive to include them as active members in their child’s therapy. Clinic team findings and recommendations are discussed individually with parents and other caregivers. Once a diagnosis is made, Clinic staff members provide families and caregivers with information on their child’s disorder and available therapies. They also serve as a link to support groups and community resources.

Additionally, it is often difficult to determine a long-range prognosis for a young child’s future development. As children grow and change, their capabilities do as well. For this reason, repeat evaluations are often required. The first follow-up visit is recommended in three months, and once or twice a year thereafter. Related Kennedy Krieger clinics more specific to each child’s needs may also be utilized.