A new robotic training method targeting posture and crouch gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP) was developed by a research team from the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University. In a pilot study titled “Robot-driven downward pelvic pull to improve crouch gait in children with…

New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is offering a trip to Long Island for young patients with disabilities including cerebral palsy (CP) to try adaptive surfing, a practice gaining attention for its therapeutic benefits. The trip is organized by the Adaptive Sports Academy at HSS and includes people with CP, patients…

Doctors usually diagnose cerebral palsy (CP) in children at 12 to 24 months of age, but a new study says they can be diagnosed as early as five months after birth using a valuable combination of standardized tools that include neuroimaging as well as neurological and motor assessments. The study, “…

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often have pain that is overlooked by therapists and caregivers, a new study found. This pain frequently has articular (joints) and orthopedic origins, and can be linked to scoliosis and therapies for spasticity, among other causes.

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) should be encouraged to engage in regular physical activities starting at an early age and continuing throughout their lifetimes. This is important to counteract sedentary behaviors that increase at about age 5, according to a study published in the…

I have met plenty of people along the way who have cerebral palsy, mostly from my being a columnist and speaker. They email me or tell me their concerns and experiences with the disability and often request my advice. I have noticed an increasing number of people…

Climbing exercises help children with cerebral palsy function better, according to a study in Denmark. Researchers said climbing strengthens the link between the brain and muscles, increasing children’s ability to perform day-to-day activities. The children used an indoor climbing gym that included boulder climbing and wall climbing courses. The study,…

Scout, the companion dog of a 17-year-old boy with cerebral palsy (CP), has won recognition as “Assistance Dog of the Year” in a contest organized by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Scout’s owner is Duncan Cumby of Stephenville, Texas. His family received the 5-year-old golden retriever from Canine Companion for Independence (CCI), a group…

Although I am 41, I still have insecurities about having cerebral palsy. I believe that from the moment you realize that you are different than others, you psychologically feel different about yourself. Often, no matter how much you do not want to feel insecure, these feelings usually find…

Renowned New York obstetrician and gynecologist Pedram Bral has endorsed the PreTRM blood test, which predicts a woman’s risk of having a pre-term baby. Pre-term birth is linked to cerebral palsy and several other long-term medical risks, and researchers hope to identify such women through close monitoring and interventions to prevent early delivery. “Being able…