"Management" is a better word than "treatment." Management consists of helping the child achieve maximum potential in growth and development. This should be started as early as possible with identification of the very young child who may have a developmental brain disorder. A management program can then be started promptly wherein programs, physicians, therapists, educators, nurses, social workers, and other professionals assist the family as well as the child. Certain medications, surgery, and braces may be used to improve nerve and muscle coordination and prevent or minimize dysfunction.

As individuals mature, they may require support services such as personal assistance services, continuing therapy, educational and vocational training, independent living services, counseling, transportation, recreation/leisure programs, and employment opportunities, all essential to the developing adult. People with cerebral palsy can go to school, have jobs, get married, raise families, and live in homes of their own. Most of all people with cerebral palsy need the opportunity for independence and full inclusion in our society.

Yes. Active national programs of research are being vigorously pursued to prevent cerebral palsy and improve the quality of life for persons with cerebral palsy. The four organizations with major research programs are the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation in the private sector, and the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research in the government sector. The research questions being addressed include:

• What are the factors that predispose the developing fetal brain to injury? Can these factors be eliminated or minimized?
• What are the causes of injury to the developing fetal brain? Can the developing fetal and newborn brain be protected? What are the causes of developmental delays and failure to thrive?
• Why are low birth weight in the full-term and the premature infant important risk factors for cerebral palsy?
• Can cerebral palsy be diagnosed before birth and better diagnosed shortly after birth?
• Which available treatments are most effective for specific disabilities of persons with cerebral palsy?
• Based on new knowledge now available in the medical, surgical, behavioral and bioengineering sciences, what improvements can be made in the quality of life of people with cerebral palsy?
• What are the effects of aging on a person with disabilities due to cerebral palsy?
• Can the damaged brain be "repaired"?

For children of all ages
The Aaron W. Perlman Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a division of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cincinnati (UCP),

It is the only community and regional resource that offers state-of-the-art, therapy-based services and community support focused on the singular goal of helping children with physical disabilities achieve independence and inclusion.

The programs of the Perlman Center are designed to address changing needs of children as they develop from their early years to adulthood. Not only children with cerebral palsy, but those with other diagnoses or who are recovering from illness or trauma can be served through Perlman programs.

Conditions treated at the Perlman Center include:

• cerebral palsy
• spina bifida
• arthrogryposis
• stroke
• brain tumor
• mental retardation
• undiagnosed physical delay
• physical disability
• pervasive development apraxia
• dyspraxia
• autism
• head injury
• ALS
• muscular distrophy
• chronic physical conditions
• seizure disorder

The Perlman Center also provides assistive technology evaluation and training for children and adults.  Perlman assists children and families in the Greater Cincinnati area, including Hamilton, Butler, Brown, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties in Northern Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana. The service area, however, is not restricted.

For college age and adults:
The Alfred J. Rendigs Memorial Center, conveniently located just South of Dana Avenue on Victory Parkway, is a division of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cincinnati (UCP), a United Way Agency. It is the only community and regional resource that offers individualized services and community support focusing on the goal of helping teens and adults with physical disabilities to achieve independence and inclusion. The programs of the Rendigs Center are designed to address changing needs of (1) youth as they develop from their school years to early adulthood, and (2) adults as their life needs change throughout adulthood. Despite our name, we serve not only youth and adults with cerebral palsy, but also those with other diagnoses or who are recovering from trauma. Our programs include, but are not limited to:

• high school-to-college transitions, including college investigation, career planning, job exploration & planning, and community connections to independent living
• business skills training, including establishing career goals, practicing job skills, job coaching, assessing & managing employment benefits
• individualized goal planning
• service coordination
• independent living & leisure activity skills

The Rendigs Center assists youth & adults and their families in the Greater Cincinnati area, including Hamilton, Butler, Brown, Warren and Clermont counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties in Northern Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana. The service area, however, is not restricted.