Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurological condition caused by an injury to the developing brain either during pregnancy or shortly after birth. CP affects each individual function differently; with broad range of symptoms and severity. Cerebral palsy symptoms may include difficulty with movement control and strength, muscle coordination, muscle tone and reflexes, posture, and balance. People who have cerebral palsy may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy, and intellectual impairments.  

What We Offer 

Our therapists will provide you with a comprehensive assessment of the body systems affected in your specific case and use their analysis skills to look at your movement patterns, joint range, muscle strength, sensation and proprioception and abnormalities of tone or spasticity. They may also look at your posture and alignment, as well as your functional abilities in lying, sitting, standing, walking, or running where appropriate. We can help to improve your quality of life, maximise your function and provide you with tailored treatment plans directed towards achieving your goals 

Our therapists see a variety of people with Cerebral Palsy and provide specialised treatment depending on the client’s goals and current situation. This may include: 

• Education to facilitate a greater understanding of the health with cerebral palsy  

• Hands on facilitation techniques to improve your ability to activate your muscles or achieve better movement patterns  

• Balance retraining which may also involve floor transfers in the event of a fall 

• Mobility practice including exploring functional skills such as transfer, standing, walking training or stair climbing practice 

• Carer training to facilitate skill practice at home and identification of barriers to implementation 

• Development of a tailored program including stretching, strengthening and cardiovascular training to complete at home, your local gym or in clinic using our wide range of equipment 

• Advice and treatment regarding spasticity management (see our spasticity clinic for more information) 

• Equipment recommendations including orthoses or gait aids which may require referral to your local or our specialty orthotic clinic  

• Review and prescribe wheelchair, seating systems or equipment (for more information see our posture and seating clinic) 

• Off-site hydrotherapy 

• Group exercise classes  

• Specialists' gym programs within your local community with one of our exercise physiologists 

Our therapists can refer or liaise with health professionals involved in your care including your medical team, speech therapy, occupational therapy, dietitians, orthotists, or neuropsychologists. They will also liaise with your appropriate funding bodies to support your needs. 

For more information: 

Leading Global Centre for Cerebral Palsy Support | Cerebral Palsy Alliance Australia