Cerebral Palsy

Therapies for children with Cerebral Palsy
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Understanding Cerebral Palsy

How our therapist can help your child
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Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of neurological conditions that affect a child’s movement and posture. It results from damage to the developing brain, often before or during birth, and can impact a child’s ability to control their muscles. The condition varies significantly from child to child – some may have mild difficulties with coordination, while others may require support with all daily activities.

At South West Kids Clinic, we take a personalised, holistic approach to therapy. We focus on what your child can do and how we can support them to build strength, confidence, independence, and joy in their daily life. We work alongside families to celebrate milestones, navigate challenges, and create a nurturing space for your child to thrive.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

How Cerebral Palsy can affect development
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Cerebral Palsy is not a single condition – it’s a spectrum. It may affect one side of the body (hemiplegia), both legs (diplegia), or the whole body (quadriplegia), and may involve muscle stiffness (spasticity), poor coordination (ataxia), involuntary movements (dyskinesia), or a combination of these.

Signs & Symptoms

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Children with Cerebral Palsy may present with:

Every child’s experience with CP is different, so our therapy programs are tailored to your child’s unique strengths, needs, and goals.

Causes & Risk Factors

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Cerebral Palsy occurs due to damage to the developing brain. This can happen during pregnancy, during birth, or shortly after birth due to factors like:

While some risk factors are known, in many cases the exact cause remains unknown. What matters most is early support and consistent intervention.

Personalised Therapy Solutions We Can Implement

HOW WE CAN HELP SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR CHILD
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Physiotherapy for Cerebral Palsy

Physiotherapy is essential for children with CP to support their mobility, posture, and participation. We work on achieving motor milestones, improving balance, coordination, and preventing secondary complications like joint stiffness and muscle tightness.

Our physiotherapists offer:

  • Functional, goal-directed therapy
  • Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) intensive therapy
  • Spider cage therapy
  • Pediasuit intensive programs
  • Equipment prescription (walkers, wheelchairs, orthotics)
  • Aquatic physiotherapy
  • Pre and post-surgical rehab
  • 24-hour positioning strategies
  • Family coaching and home program development

Occupational therapists help children with CP gain independence in everyday activities – dressing, feeding, playing, toileting, and learning. We also support with adaptive equipment and environmental modifications to increase participation at home and school.

Our occupational therapists provide:

  • Comprehensive assessment of motor and developmental skills
  • Assistive technology support
  • Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP Approach)
  • School readiness and transition support
  • Hand function and upper limb rehab
  • Splinting and upper limb positioning
  • Task adaptation and graded progression
  • Parent/caregiver coaching

Speech pathologists assist children with CP who may have challenges with communication, speech clarity, and feeding. Therapy may include both verbal and non-verbal methods to ensure every child can express themselves and engage socially.

Our speech pathologists provide:

  • Speech and language assessments
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) support (including Key Word Sign, devices, and eye gaze)
  • Oral motor and feeding support
  • Play-based language therapy
  • Parent coaching

Children with CP may experience nutritional challenges due to feeding difficulties, reduced activity levels, or high energy needs. Our dietitians work closely with families to promote healthy growth and support feeding and digestion.

Our dietitians offer:

  • Feeding plans tailored to oral motor skill level
  • Nutritional support for children with growth concerns
  • Strategies to manage constipation or reflux
  • Guidance on texture modifications
  • Support for tube-fed children and transition planning

Why choose South West Kids Clinic to help your child with Cerebral Palsy?

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At South West Kids Clinic, our collaborative and experienced team offers:

We’re here to partner with you – every step of the way.

Support for families with a child with Cerebral Palsy

WHERE TO FIND HELP
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In addition to the services we provide, the following organisations are a great source for parents looking for more guidance in other areas provided by South West Kids Clinic: 

Frequently asked questions

When should my child start therapy for Cerebral Palsy?

Early intervention is vital. Starting therapy soon after diagnosis helps develop motor and communication skills, prevents secondary issues, and lays the foundation for independence. We tailor our therapy approach to your child’s developmental stage and needs.

 Our team will conduct a comprehensive assessment and collaborate with you to create an individualised plan. Depending on your child’s goals, this might include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and/or dietetics.

 Many children with CP benefit from equipment like walkers, orthotics, or communication devices. Our therapists assess, prescribe, and support families to access this through NDIS or other funding avenues.

 Yes. We’re a multidisciplinary team that values collaboration. We plan together to ensure your child’s therapies complement each other and align with their goals. We also work with schools and other providers where appropriate.

 Progress looks different for every child. We set meaningful, achievable goals and regularly review them. We focus on building skills for daily life, celebrating every milestone along the way – big or small.

Join us at South West Kids Clinic!
Enquire today and let the adventure begin!
Our Therapies

Paediatric Occupational Therapy Sydney

Paediatric Occupational Therapy Sydney

At South West Kids Clinic, our Occupational Therapists dedicate themselves to enhancing your child’s independence in daily activities by using the most up to date treatment techniques and therapy tools. Whether mastering their motor skills, improving their participation in play, adapting tasks for easier completion, or recommending the right equipment and assistive tools, our team ensures your child can participate more fully in everyday life with greater autonomy.

Paediatric Speech Pathologist Sydney

Paediatric Speech Pathologist Sydney

Our Speech Pathologists are here to unlock your child’s potential in everyday communication, eating, and drinking. We aim to empower your child to communicate effectively and confidently, helping them express their thoughts and feelings easily. We strive to create safe and joyful mealtimes by supporting your child’s independence and ability to eat and drink safely and effectively.

Paediatric Physiotherapy Sydney

Paediatric Physiotherapy Sydney

Movement is at the heart of what it means to be active and engaged. Our Physiotherapists are committed to improving your child’s physical capabilities through innovative techniques and the latest therapeutic equipment. We focus on enhancing mobility, strength, and coordination, which are crucial for participating more actively in physical activities and improving overall quality of life.

Paediatric Dietitian Sydney

Paediatric Dietitian Sydney

Proper nutrition is foundational for children, especially those facing physical challenges. Our Dietitians provide customised nutritional plans that cater to the unique needs of children with disabilities. We ensure each child receives the nutritional support needed for optimal growth, development, and learning.

Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to start therapy?

The best time to start therapy is when you notice any developmental delays or concerns in your child. Early intervention is crucial as it can significantly improve the effectiveness of the treatment, helping your child achieve the best possible outcomes.

The frequency of therapy sessions typically depends on your child’s specific needs and goals during the initial assessment. Most children benefit from weekly sessions, but we may suggest more or fewer visits based on your child’s progress.

Put simply, the greater your involvement is in therapy, the quicker your child will gain results. For this reason, we only work with families actively involved in their child’s therapy. This includes collaborating to establish goals, participating in therapy sessions, completing practice between sessions and providing feedback to your therapist about progress between sessions.

Our team conducts comprehensive assessments to understand each child’s strengths and challenges. Based on these assessments, we develop individualised therapy plans that are continually adapted to reflect progress and changing needs.

You can contact our clinic directly or via email to discuss your child’s needs. Our reception team will ask quick questions about your child to determine the next steps required.

Therapy sessions are primarily completed in our clinic; however, we occasionally recommend contacting the school or child care to observe your child and consult with the teachers regarding valuable strategies to promote success in the classroom or playground. Occasionally, ongoing sessions are suggested; however, this is based on clinical need rather than convenience.

Areas We Service
LiverpoolNSW
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South West Kids Clinic offers personalised support and guidance to children with movement-based conditions in Liverpool. Our experienced and caring team is committed to positively impacting your child’s life.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
BankstownNSW
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South West Kids Clinic delivers customised therapy and treatments to children with movement-based conditions. Our services are readily available and personalised to meet the needs of families in the Bankstown area, ensuring that every child receives the care they require.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
CampbelltownNSW
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At South West Kids Clinic, we provide personalised therapy and treatments to children who have conditions affecting their movement. Our services are designed to cater to the specific needs of families in the Campbelltown area, guaranteeing that each child gets the attention and care they need.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
FairfieldNSW
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At South West Kids Clinic, our approach is to offer customised therapy and treatments for children with movement disorders. We ensure our services are accessible and tailored specifically for families living in the Fairfield area, ensuring every child receives the necessary care.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
PrestonsNSW
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At South West Kids Clinic, we deliver individualised therapy and treatments for children with movement challenges. Our services are adapted to fit the unique requirements of families in the Preston area, ensuring all children receive the dedicated care they need.

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri:8:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat & Sun:Closed
WollondillyNSW
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South West Kids Clinic offers personalised support and guidance to children with movement-based conditions at our clinic in Picton. Our experienced and caring team is committed to positively impacting your child’s life.

Opening Hours
Wed - Fri:8:30AM to 5:00PM
Sat - Tue:Closed
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