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When an infant is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, families lives are changed forever. Cerebral palsy is a group of non-progressive conditions that affect thousands of infants each year. There are many services for families that will help them become educated about cerebral palsy. They help find medical and financial services for families also; you will get all the information and resources needed for your child.

Below is a list of cerebral palsy associations in your area:

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)

In 1949, the UCP was founded for people with disabilities. They fight to improve individuals lives. They do this by assisting with employment. United Cerebral Palsy offers housing and community living. Families can turn to UCP for support.

CPIRF - Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation

There are foundations that devote themselves in the research of prevention, rehabilitation, early diagnosis and more. One specific foundation The Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation (CPIRF) is committed to funding research related to developmental disabilities.

CHASA or The Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association

Families of children with cerebral palsy need support. Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) is an association that provides help and information for kids with this kind of cerebral palsy. CHASA helps family learn about hemiplegia, and they will find support groups in your area to help families learn how other families cope.

Easter Seals

In the 1900s, Easter Seals was founded to assist special needs people. They are committed in the research of developing disabilities. Families can turn to this association for help with medical rehabilitation, child assistance, activities, and they provide training for employees.

March of Dimes

The March of Dimes believes in giving babies a fighting chance against threats to their health. This organization is devoted to preventing risks such as birth defects, infant mortality, and premature birth Their website has information for parents about topics relevant to caring for newborns with health issues.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

An organization that offers information about specific disabilities is the NICHCY. They believe in early intervention, education rights, and more for families that have children with disabilities. They provide a wealth of information to the nation on such topics as children and youth with disabilities; services for infants and youths with disabilities; IDEA and no child left behind.

NDSA - National Disability Sports Alliance

The National Disability Sports Alliance began as the United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association in 1987. Ever since, they have been in charge of organizing competitive sports for people with physically disabling conditions. The NDSA is organized internationally, national and locally. They are responsible for formulating rules, carrying out policies and more.

Cerebral Palsy Associations in Your Neighborhood

United Cerebral Palsy has partners all over that can assist you in locating other cerebral palsy associations in your town. The associations cited above list resources on their websites also.

Cerebral palsy is a condition without a cure, but there are numerous treatment options. Cerebral palsy treatments are chosen based on what is best suited to an individual child's needs.

Treatments help them gain better movement of their muscles. Treatments can also help with vision and hearing problems and seizures. Therapists, pediatricians, psychologists and other experts create plans for the patient based on their needs. The child is observed and tests are run so the professionals can determine what is best for them. Some treatments include:

Physical therapy - This method of therapy helps stretch the muscles of a patient with cerebral palsy. This can include exercising the muscles, massaging the muscles, and orthotic devices. The purpose of this is to help with motor control.

Speech therapy - It is sometimes difficult for patients with cerebral palsy to communicate. With speech therapy, the treatments allow them to communicate with other means.

Occupational therapy - Children can use this treatment to help you with the everyday chores such as eating or dressing.

Medication - There are medications for cerebral palsy patients that will help relax their muscles. Patients deal with muscle spasms and medications such as Botox will help those problems.

Surgery - At times surgery is another option for families that have children with cerebral palsy. This treatment can help stabilize joints, and improve tone of their muscle.

Hearing aids, eyeglasses - It is common of cerebral palsy patients to have hearing or vision problems. These treatments will help improve the impairments of the child.

Assistive technologies - New technologies are always being developed to help individuals with disabilities. Assistive technologies such as specialized wheelchairs, customized scooters, and communication devices can aid cerebral palsy children in their daily lives and with tasks they may not otherwise be able to perform.

Other CP treatments - Other cerebral palsy treatments include dolphin therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). These assist patients throughout their years.

Clinical trials - Medical professional will conduct clinical trials to be able to try to develop new treatments for children with cerebral palsy.

The Cost of Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Cerebral palsy affects many children and there is no cure for it, there are only treatments to help a patient cope with their disability. Children go through different therapies that suit their needs but the financial costs are overwhelming usually exceeding $500,000. Insurance doesn't always cover all of the costs, and the families can get stressed with all the costs. Even those who do not have insurance, the financial load are overwhelming.