What is cerebral palsy treatment?
Cerebral palsy treatment focuses on helping children move, communicate, and take part in daily life as comfortably and independently as possible. For babies, treatment most often begins with physical and feeding therapies to support early movement and development.
There’s no cure for cerebral palsy, and treatment is often lifelong, changing as a child grows. Unfortunately, long-term cerebral palsy treatment can also be costly.
Medical care for a child with cerebral palsy can cost up to 10 times more per year than care for a child without CP, according to Medicaid studies.
Understanding what your child’s care will involve can help you plan, ask the right questions, and make choices that fit your family. In some cases, cerebral palsy financial assistance may be available to help cover treatment costs.
Cerebral palsy is often not diagnosed until age 2 or 3. By then, some legal and financial options may already be gone. If your baby shows early signs of CP, like stiffness, floppiness, or feeding difficulties, you do not have to wait.
Our registered nurses can review what you are seeing and help you understand what it may mean. We have helped families nationwide secure over $1 billion for conditions like CP, and we may be able to help you afford the care your child needs.
Talk with one of our caring nurses right now — there’s no cost or obligation.
How to treat cerebral palsy (2026)
- Therapies: Physical, occupational, and speech or feeding therapy are the foundation of cerebral palsy management. These treatments support movement, daily skills, and communication.
- Assistive devices: Braces, splints, walkers, wheelchairs, special seating, and communication tools can improve mobility, comfort, and independence in daily life.
- Medications: Some medicines help relax stiff muscles, ease pain, or treat related issues such as seizures. Children may also receive targeted muscle injections.
- Recreational and activity-based therapy: Structured play, sports, and adapted activities can build strength, coordination, confidence, and social connection in ways that feel natural to children.
- Surgery: In some cases, CP surgery may help when muscle stiffness or bone and joint problems make movement difficult or painful. These decisions are typically made after other options fail.
- Treatments being tested: Stem cell therapy is still being studied for CP and is not an FDA-approved standard treatment. Families should discuss any experimental options with a doctor.
Watch our short video to learn more about how some families pay for CP treatment.
Learn what types of medical negligence can cause cerebral palsy and how to pursue financial compensation for your child’s treatment. Call us for legal help today at (855) 220-1101.
Duration: 1 min 29 sec
Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a lifelong condition that can require constant care and treatment.
It is also expensive. “How expensive?” you may ask.
Between therapy, medications, and special home accommodations, the CDC estimates that the lifetime cost to care for someone with CP is over 1.6 million dollars!
Understandably, many parents and family members aren’t prepared to pay for these unplanned medical expenses. Seeking legal aid can help families get much-needed compensation if there is evidence their child’s condition could have been prevented.
A qualified birth injury lawyer can figure out whether an act of negligence led to your child’s cerebral palsy.
Some examples of medical negligence include:
- Failing to detect infections during pregnancy
- Missing signs of fetal distress or lack of oxygen
- Neglecting to perform a C-section in a timely manner
- Using excessive force during delivery
- Neglecting to monitor a mother or baby’s heart rate during labor and delivery
- Improperly using forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery
- And failing to treat severe newborn jaundice
The best way to find out if your child is eligible for legal aid is to speak with a birth injury lawyer.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation and see if you’re entitled to compensation that can help your child get life-changing care.
Cerebral palsy therapies
Therapy is often the most important treatment of cerebral palsy. It helps children build strength, coordination, communication, and daily living skills over time. Cerebral palsy therapy plans are tailored to each child and often evolve as needs change.
“Physical, occupational, and speech therapies help children build independence, participate more fully at school and at home, and gain confidence in what they can do.”
– Katie Lavender, RN
Physical therapy
CP physical therapy focuses on movement and mobility. Therapists work with children to improve their sitting, crawling, standing, and walking, based on each child’s specific challenges.
Physical therapy can help improve:
- Balance
- Flexibility
- Mobility
- Posture
- Strength
A physical therapist begins by evaluating a child’s motor skills and range of motion, then creates a treatment plan that may include stretching, strengthening, and muscle-relaxing techniques. Sessions often use simple equipment such as mats, balls, bands, or supports.
Starting therapy early can help prevent painful complications later, such as joint stiffness or muscle shortening. For some children, therapy also helps strengthen muscle tone and improve overall stability.
Occupational therapy
Cerebral palsy occupational therapy helps children build the skills needed for everyday life. Therapists focus on fine motor control, coordination, and sensory processing so children can participate more fully at home and school.
Occupational therapy may help with:
- Brushing hair or teeth
- Fastening zippers or buttons
- Holding utensils
- Picking up small objects
- Using scissors
- Writing
Sessions often feel like play, especially for younger kids with CP. Through guided activities, children practice reaching, grasping, and releasing while building confidence and independence.
Occupational therapists also help children work through sensory challenges that can make movement and focus more difficult.
Speech therapy
Cerebral palsy can affect the muscles used for speaking, chewing, and swallowing. CP speech therapy supports communication and safe eating.
Speech therapists help children:
- Develop speech and language skills
- Improve chewing and swallowing
- Learn other ways to communicate, such as signs or devices
- Strengthen oral muscles
For some children, therapy focuses on finding reliable ways to express needs and feelings. For others, it may center on feeding and weight gain when chewing or swallowing is difficult.
Alternative therapy for cerebral palsy
Some families explore therapies that complement traditional care. These may be added to an existing plan when appropriate and discussed with a child’s doctor.
Common options of alternative therapy for CP include:
- Acupuncture
- Aquatic therapy
- Hippotherapy (horse therapy)
- Music therapy
These approaches often aim to improve movement, coordination, and engagement. While experiences vary, many children respond well to therapies that feel motivating and enjoyable. A specialist can help families decide which options may be safe and appropriate for their child.
Kristin Proctor, RN
Registered Nurse for 20+ Years
Cerebral palsy medications
Cerebral palsy medications are not a cure. They are used to manage specific symptoms of CP, most often muscle tightness (spasticity), painful spasms, involuntary movements, drooling, and seizures.
The right choice depends on a child’s symptoms, age, overall health, and how side effects impact daily life.
3 common medications for cerebral palsy treatment include:
- Oral muscle relaxants for spasticity: Medicines such as baclofen, diazepam, dantrolene, or tizanidine may be used to reduce widespread stiffness. These can help with comfort and movement, but they may cause side effects like sleepiness or dizziness.
- Targeted muscle injections: Botulinum toxin injections are commonly used for spastic CP to relax specific tight muscles for a limited period, often for weeks to a few months. Botox® tends to work best when paired with therapy and, when appropriate, splints or braces.
- Seizure medicines (when needed): If a child has epilepsy, anti-seizure medication is typically the first-line treatment, and the medication choice depends on the seizure type and response.
A care team will usually start with the least invasive option and adjust over time based on function, comfort, and safety.
Surgery for cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy surgery is not part of every child’s care plan. It’s usually considered only when other cerebral palsy treatments are not enough to reduce pain or improve movement. The goal of CP surgery is to improve daily life by making it more comfortable and functional.
Doctors typically recommend trying less invasive options first. When surgery is discussed, it is because tight muscles, abnormal movement patterns, or bone changes are interfering with walking, sitting, or basic care.
Common CP surgeries include:
- Tendon or muscle lengthening: Surgeons may lengthen tight muscles or tendons in the legs or arms to improve range of motion, reduce pain, and make walking or positioning easier.
- Orthopedic surgery: Procedures can correct hip, knee, foot, or spine problems that develop over time due to uneven muscle pull or abnormal posture.
- Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR): In carefully selected children with spastic CP, this neurosurgery reduces muscle stiffness by cutting specific nerve fibers in the spine. It can improve mobility but requires intensive rehabilitation afterward.
- Intrathecal baclofen pump placement: For children with severe, whole-body stiffness, surgery may be used to implant a pump that delivers muscle-relaxing medication directly to the spinal fluid.
Surgical decisions are highly individualized and usually made by a team that includes neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and therapists. Timing matters, and many children benefit from waiting until growth patterns and needs are clearer.
Other types of treatment for cerebral palsy
Some cerebral palsy treatments are not therapies or medications, but still, they play a critical role in daily life. They help children move more safely, communicate more clearly, and take part in everyday activities with greater comfort and independence.
Orthotics
These custom devices, such as braces, splints, or shoe inserts, support weak muscles and improve alignment. They are commonly used to help children stand, walk, or sit more comfortably and safely.
Orthotics can reduce strain on joints, prevent deformities as a child grows, and make therapy more effective by guiding proper movement.
Assistive devices and technologies
Assistive tools help children with cerebral palsy move, communicate, and participate in daily life. These may include walkers, wheelchairs, special seating systems, communication boards, or speech-generating devices.
For some children, simple tools like adapted utensils or writing aids make everyday tasks possible. New technologies continue to expand what children with CP can do, often increasing independence and connection with others.
"With proper treatment and planning, many children with cerebral palsy can live long, fulfilling lives surrounded by the support they deserve."
— Ricky LeBlanc, cerebral palsy attorney
Unfortunately, the best cerebral palsy treatment can be expensive. Get a free case review right now to see if you may qualify for financial assistance.
What kind of doctors treat cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy care usually involves more than one doctor because it can affect movement, speech, feeding, vision, and development. Most children are treated by a coordinated team of CP specialists that works together to address both medical needs and everyday challenges.
A child’s pediatrician or primary care doctor usually oversees this plan. They help monitor growth, spot concerns early, and coordinate referrals to specialists as new needs arise.
Depending on a child’s symptoms, the care team may include:
- Behavioral or mental health specialists
- Developmental pediatricians
- Neurologists
- Occupational therapists
- Ophthalmologists (eye doctors)
- Otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors)
- Physical therapists
- Speech and language therapists
- Surgeons
This team approach allows care to adapt as a child grows. Regular follow-ups help ensure treatment stays aligned with a child’s development, comfort, and daily life.
Treating related health conditions in CP
Cerebral palsy can affect more than movement. Many children also experience medical or developmental conditions linked to the same brain injury. Treating these coexisting issues is an important part of overall care and can greatly improve comfort, safety, and daily life.
Seizures
Epilepsy (seizure disorder) is common in children with CP and may appear in infancy or early childhood. Most are managed with medication, though some children need additional care from a neurologist. Prompt treatment helps reduce risk and protect brain function.
Intellectual disabilities
Some children with CP have learning or cognitive challenges. Support may include developmental services, behavioral therapy, and educational planning. Early intervention can help children build communication, problem-solving, and social skills.
Gastrointestinal issues
Feeding difficulties, reflux, and slow digestion are common. Treatment may involve feeding therapy, diet changes, positioning strategies, or medication to support growth and reduce discomfort.
Bladder and bowel challenges
Muscle control issues can affect bladder and bowel function. Care may include routine scheduling, physical therapy, medication, or guidance from a pediatric specialist to prevent infections and improve comfort.
Vision and hearing impairment
Brain injury can affect how a child sees or hears. Glasses, hearing aids, or corrective procedures may be needed, along with therapy to support communication and learning.
Dental issues
Muscle control problems can make oral care difficult. Children with CP may need more frequent dental visits and, in some cases, orthodontic or surgical care to prevent pain, infection, and feeding problems.
Get help paying for cerebral palsy treatment
Caring for a child with cerebral palsy can be expensive, and many families are not prepared for the long-term costs of therapy, equipment, and medical care. Cerebral palsy treatment often continues for years, and insurance does not always cover everything a child needs.
In some cases, financial help through a cerebral palsy lawsuit may be available to ease that burden, so families can focus on care rather than cost.
If your child’s CP may have been caused by a preventable medical mistake, you may also have legal options. As of 2026, our trusted network of birth injury attorneys has secured over $1 billion.
Call us right now at (855) 220-1101 or fill out this simple form to see if we can help your family, too.
