Treatments (Interventions) for Cerebral Palsy

Treatments (Interventions) for Cerebral Palsy




Can cerebral palsy be prevented or cured?


Two interventions are now being used to reduce the risk or severity of cerebral palsy:

  • Magnesium Sulfate – is given to pregnant mothers when they are at risk of very preterm birth. This can help protect babies from the brain injury that leads to cerebral palsy.
  • Cooling – Newborn babies who have suffered a brain injury due to lack of oxygen before birth (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy) may be treated with a special cooling which aims to reduce the impact of the brain injury.

Interventions for movement issues



Surgical procedures


Physical therapy and occupational therapy


Interventions for muscle, bone and joint issues

Surgical procedures


Casts, splints and muscle strengthening


Interventions for communication issues

Speech pathology

Speech pathologists assess and provide intervention for communication skills. This includes understanding what is being said and learning to use words and sentences. Treatment (intervention) for communication often involves the use of augmentative or alternative communication systems, such as signing, communication boards and speech generating devices.

Interventions for intellectual disability and learning difficulties

Assessments, special education and learning strategies



Interventions for epilepsy



Interventions for pain management



Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Psychologists may offer cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain. This process works to help a person change the way they think about pain and, in turn, how they feel and behave about pain.

Massage therapy and hydrotherapy

Temporary relief of pain may be assisted through massage or hydrotherapy.

Interventions for sleep disorders



Behavior therapy

Psychologists may assist with behavior therapy or help families to establish routines to help resolve children’s sleep issues.

Sleep systems


Interventions for behavior and emotional issues

Behavior therapy and counselling

Psychologists can offer assessment and support for emotional and behavioral challenges, which may include behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy. Social workers support people with cerebral palsy and their families in many ways, including strengths-based counselling and mutual aid groupwork.

Interventions for issues with eating, digestion and nutrition

Medication and surgery

Treatment (intervention) for severe difficulties with digestion, such as gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) includes medications or sometimes surgery. If the individual has severely limited eating skills or experiences an unsafe swallow, non-oral feeding may be recommended. This involves a surgically inserted feeding tube to the stomach or the small intestine.
Medical interventions are performed by medical specialists in hospitals.

Speech Pathology and Dietary Advice


Dietitians provide advice on improved and balanced nutrition.

Interventions for issues with saliva control (dribbling and drooling)

Speech pathology



Medical specialists may prescribe medication for saliva control. This is not usually considered a long term treatment option, but can be useful to dry up saliva temporarily. Botulinum Toxin Type A, injected into the salivary glands has also shown to reduce the secretion of saliva. In severe cases of drooling, surgery may be suggested to permanently manage saliva.

Interventions for hearing and vision impairment

Hearing and Vision impairment are managed as they are for the general population by Opthamologists, Optomitrists, Audiologists and Doctors (GPs). Interventions include corrective eye wear (glasses), contact lenses, hearing aids and in some cases medication or surgery.