Cerebral Palsy Treatment Overview
The Southern Family Center for Cerebral Palsy at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, part of the Orthopedic & Scoliosis Center, is one of the nation’s most comprehensive programs dedicated to the care of children and adult patients with cerebral palsy.
During appointments, our multidisciplinary team of pediatric orthopedic surgeons, rehabilitation medicine specialists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, occupational, physical and speech therapists, orthotists, social workers and consulting specialists provides a complete evaluation, cerebral palsy diagnosis and treatment/medical care for individuals.
During your cerebral palsy center visit/appointment, you will meet with healthcare professionals/members of the team, who will perform an evaluation and provide a treatment plan.
Alesha doesn’t let cerebral palsy stop her from pursuing her dreams. Meet Alesha.
We offer a full range of services, for children and adult patients with this type of motor disability including a Comprehensive Spasticity Management Program. If you or your child need medical care and surgery from healthcare professionals, Rady Children’s has expert hospitalists, pediatric anesthesiologists, critical care specialists and clinical consultants for patients.
As each individual patient has unique needs based on his or her motor disability/cerebral palsy diagnosis, we are committed to understanding these needs and working with patients and their families to provide the most personalized and advanced care. It is our goal to improve function and quality of life for all of our kid and adult patients.
Frequently Asked Questions – Rady Children’s Cerebral Palsy Center
1. What services does the Cerebral Palsy Center at Rady Children’s Hospital provide?
Our Cerebral Palsy Center offers comprehensive care, including physical therapy, speech therapy, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedic surgery, and selective dorsal rhizotomy for children with spastic cerebral palsy, dyskinetic cerebral palsy, and other movement disorders. Our team includes pediatric specialists, physical therapists, speech therapists, and orthopedic surgeons to support every aspect of your child’s care.
2. How is cerebral palsy diagnosed and treated at Rady Children’s Hospital?
A cerebral palsy diagnosis is made through a detailed evaluation by our cerebral palsy specialists, including experts in developmental medicine, neuromuscular disorders, and physical medicine. Treatment options may include physical therapy, Botox injections, orthopedic surgery, deep brain stimulation, and participation in clinical trials through the Cerebral Palsy Research Network.
3. What types of therapy are available for children with cerebral palsy?
Our CP center provides a variety of therapies, including physical therapy to improve motor function, speech therapy for communication challenges, and behavioral health support for developmental disabilities. We also offer specialized treatments for muscle tightness and muscle stiffness, including Botox injections, selective dorsal rhizotomy, and other spasticity management techniques.
4. Does the Cerebral Palsy Clinic at Rady Children’s Hospital offer surgical options?
Yes, our cerebral palsy program includes orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons who specialize in orthopedic surgery, selective dorsal rhizotomy, and deep brain stimulation to help children with severe cerebral palsy. We work closely with the Barrow Neurological Institute to provide the latest advancements in cerebral palsy treatment.
5. Can my child participate in cerebral palsy research or clinical trials?
Yes! Our Cerebral Palsy Center is an active member of the Cerebral Palsy Research Network, offering opportunities to participate in clinical trials and innovative treatments. We collaborate with leading organizations like United Cerebral Palsy and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation to advance research and improve outcomes for children with cerebral palsy and related neuromuscular disorders.
A Grateful Mother
“My 2-year-old daughter has spastic hemiplegia cerebral palsy. We live on the Central Coast of California in a rural location. We drove over six hours and arrived to an AMAZING team of people who welcomed us in with open arms. We immediately felt like we had joined a club.
In a matter of three hours, everything I had spent a year-and-a-half fighting for where we live was handed to us on a silver platter. Carolina, Dr. Chambers, Dr. Phoebe and the team in the CP clinic SAW our daughter, SAW her needs, SAW how CP affected HER and helped. We left holding back tears of relief. WE LOVE RADY! WE LOVE THE CP CLINIC! I can never say enough good things about them.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Dr. Chambers, Carolina, Dr. Phoebe and your team. We love you and will look forward to seeing you again soon.”
— A very relieved mama, Jennifer Hanna
In the News
New $10M Cerebral Palsy Center Debuts at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego Business Journal, features Henry Chambers, M.D.
Support Our Program
For more information about the Southern Family Center for Cerebral Palsy and how to get involved, please contact Julie Reinke, Assistant Vice President, Philanthropy, at 858-966-8303 or jreinke@rchsd.org