Support for Cerebral Palsy in Children

At the Center for Children, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, and the Elly Hammerman Center for Treatment of Neuromuscular Disorders, our team of cerebral palsy specialists is invested in your child’s health and emotional wellbeing from childhood through adulthood.

Our child life specialists and social workers help you and your child navigate decisions regarding continued care that help your child reach his or her full potential. Our experts also help teens with cerebral palsy prepare for the demands of adult life.

Our child and family support services and resilience programs are provided by Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care.

Cerebral Palsy Support Group

Our cerebral palsy team welcomes you to join other children and families at our quarterly cerebral palsy support group. This group provides caregivers of children with cerebral palsy with a range of informational resources and emotional support. There is no fee to participate.

In these sessions, our physicians and counselors discuss medical, social, and practical issues common to families who care for children with the condition. Guest speakers may be invited to discuss topics of interest, such as stress reduction, coping techniques, and the challenges faced by siblings and family members of children who have cerebral palsy. Discussion may also focus on treatments and how to find additional educational resources.

Our support group leaders provide breakfast or lunch, as well as therapies and activities, such as arts and crafts, massage, and Reiki, which is a Japanese technique that uses gentle, noncontact hand motions to reduce stress and encourage relaxation.

Cerebral Palsy Transition Clinic

Our cerebral palsy transition clinic helps teenagers with cerebral palsy prepare for adulthood by anticipating their medical and psychological needs. Specialists at the clinic offer practical advice and assistance to help teens participate in adult life as fully as possible.

Counselors at the clinic discuss a variety of issues surrounding this transition, such as independent living, professional development, and healthcare in adulthood. Our specialists welcome teens with all forms of cerebral palsy and offer customized counseling and planning services, ensuring that every teen receives individualized attention, advice, and care.

Psychotherapy

Our doctors understand cerebral palsy can be overwhelming for you and your child. Our team of cerebral palsy experts includes a psychotherapist who has experience helping children and families talk through some of the challenges and fears of cerebral palsy diagnosis and treatment.

Often, these conversations help parents and children feel more emotionally equipped to face these challenges and make difficult decisions, such as whether to proceed with surgery.