What Are the Treatments for Athetoid Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP), a neurological disorder that effects body movement and muscle coordination, is categorized by the number of limbs affected by the CP and the muscle tone in the body. Athetoid cerebral palsy relates to the body's muscle tone and movement functioning.

Athetoid CP

• Athetoid cerebral palsy is associated with symptoms like involuntary movements, drooling, trouble eating, and difficulty sitting up straight. Athetoid CP is also known as dyskenetic CP.

Treatment

• There is no one correct way to treat cerebral palsy because each individual case of CP is different. The proper CP treatment methods depend on the individual. Common CP athetoid treatments are physical therapy and speech therapy.

Physical Therapy

• Physical therapy should be started shortly after diagnosis of athetoid cerebral palsy. Physical therapists can help to teach a client to manage involuntary movements, according to Cerebral Palsy Source.

Speech Therapy

• In addition to learning to better communicate, speech therapy can be beneficial in reducing drooling and swallowing difficulties. A speech therapist does this by working with the child on strengthening jaw and mouth muscles.

Other Treatment Methods

• Other athetoid CP treatments are medications to control muscle spasms and surgery to prevent limb deformities. Therapeutic forms of massage offer an alternative treatment method.

Availability

• Treatments for athetoid CP are available at numerous places. Physical therapy and speech therapy are commonly offered at rehabilitation centers and educational settings. Talk to your doctor about finding the appropriate CP athetoid treatment resources for you or your loved one.