Cerebral Palsy
Our multidisciplinary team cares for children and adults with cerebral palsy, offering support that adapts as needs change over time.
Why Choose UCLA Health for Cerebral Palsy Care
At UCLA Health, children and adults have a dedicated partner in cerebral palsy treatment. Our Center for Cerebral Palsy is the only multispecialty clinic in Los Angeles that evaluates and treats people with cerebral palsy throughout their lifetime.
Highlights of our program include:
Team approach
Our care team includes orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, interventional spine care specialists, physical therapists, neurosurgeons and more. This collaboration leads to personalized care that’s responsive to our patients’ changing needs.
Early detection & intervention
UCLA Health specialists evaluate children as soon as concerns arise, often in infancy or toddlerhood. Diagnosing cerebral palsy early enables your child to promptly start therapies that build strength and encourage progress toward developmental milestones, such as sitting up. Your family also learns how to support your child at home and prepare for the next steps of treatment.
Family support
Our social workers help your family navigate practical matters, such as emotional support, school accommodations and access to community services. They can also help connect you or your child with adaptive equipment, recreation programs and more, making it easier to find the right support. Explore cerebral palsy resources.
Research focus
Our specialists are exploring ways to improve movement and make daily life easier for adults and children with cerebral palsy. These efforts have resulted in new evaluation and treatment methods, some of which have become the standard of care. You or your child may be eligible to take part through clinical trials. Learn more about our cerebral palsy research.
2024 Cerebral Palsy Family Forum
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a developmental disorder. CP develops when brain damage occurs during fetal development, during or shortly after birth or during infancy.
CP can look different in everyone. Depending on the location and extent of brain injury, some people have barely noticeable symptoms, while others have symptoms that significantly affect their daily life.
CP can affect:
Our Areas of Care
Cerebral palsy care is available in multiple locations:
UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
Adults with cerebral palsy receive treatment at our Center for Cerebral Palsy at the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. Children may also get their care here if it’s a more convenient location.
Kameron Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory
You or your child may get a referral to the Kameron Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory. At this lab, we use specialized tools to learn more about your walking patterns (gait), muscle strength and flexibility. Find out more about cerebral palsy evaluation at the laboratory.
Luskin Orthopaedic Institute
UCLA Health has partnered with the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute (LuskinOIC) for more than 25 years. LuskinOIC brings advanced orthopedic care to children throughout Los Angeles.
UCLA Health and LuskinOIC run a joint program to care for children with cerebral palsy. This program is located at the LuskinOIC in downtown Los Angeles. Children and young adults under 21 may receive their care here.
Getting Started with Cerebral Palsy Care
First visits typically include a comprehensive evaluation with our team. Together, we review our assessments with you and set goals for treatment.
Depending on your needs, a new patient appointment may include consultations with:
- Orthopedic surgeons
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (physiatrists)
- Physical therapists
After we develop a treatment plan, we may refer you to additional specialists, including:
- Developmental pediatricians
- Gastroenterologists
- Head and neck surgeons
- Neurologists
- Neurosurgeons
- Ophthalmologists
- Pain management specialists
- Urologists
Cerebral Palsy Treatments
UCLA Health delivers personalized care consisting of therapies, medications, devices and sometimes surgery. We develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s medical needs and personal goals. Our approach makes movement more comfortable and daily routines more manageable, so you or your child can focus on living fully.
Cerebral Palsy FAQ
Do I need a referral to come to your cerebral palsy clinic?
Most people don’t need a referral to come to our Center for Cerebral Palsy.
If you have a health maintenance organization (HMO)/managed care plan, your insurance requires authorization before you can make an appointment. This includes MediCal HMO or California Children’s Services (CCS). Your primary care physician should make the authorization to:
- UCLA Orthopedics for our UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center location
- Orthopedic Institute for Children or Orthopedic Hospital for our downtown location at LuskinOIC
Call our team at 424-259-6593 for questions about insurance, referrals or authorizations.
Do you see adults with cerebral palsy?
Yes, we treat adults with cerebral palsy at our UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center location. Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition, and we’re dedicated to providing ongoing care.
What is the earliest a child with CP can get a diagnosis?
Doctors may suspect cerebral palsy in early infancy. In mild cases, it may not be possible to get a definitive diagnosis until babies are around 18 to 24 months.
What are the signs that my child may not be developing typically?
You may consider getting your child an evaluation if they show certain signs, including:
- Delays in usual milestones, including head control, rolling, sitting, crawling or walking
- Difficulty feeding or choking when they’re fed
- Excessive irritability, especially combined with arching their neck or back
- Over- or under-reactivity to noisy or stimulating environments
Is cerebral palsy curable?
No, cerebral palsy isn’t curable. But that doesn’t mean children with CP won’t grow up to be functional and independent. The earlier children get treatment for CP, the likelier they’ll experience good long-term outcomes.
Why does my child’s CP seem worse as they get older?
Cerebral palsy isn’t progressive, which means brain damage doesn’t worsen over time. However, children’s symptoms may change as they grow. These changes are related to their bones and muscles growing in ways that aren’t typical.
Why do my child’s bones seem to be twisting as they get older?
The brain problems that cause CP also impact the brain’s ability to control muscle activity. Because of this, children may have muscle imbalances that affect how their bones develop.
I haven’t seen a doctor for CP in years, but it’s getting harder to move around. Should I be concerned?
Our research shows that many adults with CP experience normal age-related changes faster than people without the condition. It’s not uncommon to start using a cane or wheelchair when you used to walk without assistance.
Sometimes, a strategic exercise program can help you walk more normally again. You can get an evaluation with our team for specific recommendations.
What insurance plans do you accept?
Our program accepts most insurance carriers. Some insurance plans, such as HMOs, require you to get authorization before you see our team. If you have any questions about your insurance plan and its requirements, call us at 424-259-6593.
Contact Us
Call 424-259-6593 to learn more about our orthopedic care for cerebral palsy or schedule an appointment.