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Occupational Therapy for People With Cerebral Palsy

The goal of occupational therapy for people with cerebral palsy is to help them live as independently as possible. Occupational therapy uses people's strengths to help them cope with their disabilities. It also helps them learn how to do daily activities such as dress, eat, and bathe by themselves.

Occupational therapists may use a wide range of items to help people with cerebral palsy care for themselves, such as:

  • Spoons or forks with heavy or large handles, dishes with higher lips to help keep food from slipping, and cups with special handles or tops.
  • Toys that can be easily held.
  • Special computers that can be used by touching the screen or by speaking the commands. Other computers can help people with cerebral palsy do many tasks that they would not normally be able to do. For example, computers can allow people to turn on a light switch by blinking their eyes or open a door by nodding their head.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics
Last Revised September 30, 2010

Last Revised: September 30, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics & Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics

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