Treatments for Cerebral Palsy: Making Choices of Intervention from an Expanding Menu of Options

Abstract

Family members face an increasing number of therapeutic and medical choices that can be made on behalf of their children with cerebral palsy. Various options are presented through the press and media, medical and educational literature, and the “information highway.” While decisions about which courses of action to take are sometimes made unilaterally by families, often there are requests for input from the pediatrician or other professionals working with the child. This article organizes the variety of options that may be chosen by families and professionals under three major “menu” headings. Information and resources are presented that might be helpful for families and professionals to use as they attempt to answer the question, “What should we do?” Strategies for supporting families as they make decisions about possible courses of action are described.