Here are a couple of gold star, must see website. The menu above will take you to many additional site on more specific topics.

Kid Power: This is the one website to visit for current treatments!! A huge amount of extremely useful information. explanation and links to 100s of treatments, as well as travel info, the Sensory toys, etc. etc. A powerhouse of a website!

MUMS

Julie J. Gordon, MUMS, National Parent-to-Parent Network, 150 Custer Court, Green Bay, WI, 54301-1243, 1-877-336-5333 (toll free) 920-336-5333 920-339-0995 (Fax)

Email: mums@netnet.net Web: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation: Christopher Reeves vision embodies our vision exactly. Christopher's goal is very clear. He wants to walk again. In order to accomplish this he has decided to make it happen with his own means. He organized a group of the best scientists in the world and he raised millions of dollars to fund his own research. His research is not bogged down by governmental reviews and paperwork, because he is funding it he can move ahead quickly and focused towards a cure. Read Christophers motivating letter of hope here.

CAN Foundation Cure Autism Now: This website and groups serves as an excellent model for what we can achieve. In just five short years they have raised over $5 Million dollars and made significant strides towards a cure for Autism. Lots to learn from this group

We would like to highlight a website from Dina. Dina has mild spastic diplegia CP and has first hand experience with many of the existing treatments we provide links to on our website. Dina has developed her own website and she writes a particurly powerful letter to Medical Professional and Parents of children with CP. It is interesting to hear Dina's first hand experience and she can provide many valuable lessons for those of us that are trying to make choices for our young children. I also need to give Dina credit for many of the links that we have in this section of the website as she was responsible for getting many of them on the net years ago. Thanks Dina!!  Click on the following link to visit Dina's site http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/River/1463/  be sure to her My Story and A Letter to the Medical Profession

In this section I would like to highlight links to some of the best sites focusing on traditional treatments.

Physical & Occupational Therapy

NDT: Neuro-Developmental Treatment

The Bobath Centre The founders of NDT. The website gives an excellent understanding of the principles of this form of treatment direct from the founders

BOEHME WORKSHOPS is a clinically based continuing education provider. They specialize in providing training, video-tapes and text books with a specialized focus on children and adults challenged by both congenital and acquired injuries to the central nervous system. These guys have trained many of the professionals. Great for families to learn directly from the pros or for pros to brush up on technique.

Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association (NDTA)is the professional certification organization. We called them and they helped us to find qualified instructors in our area. Very helpful folks.

ICE is also a professional organization providing training seminars and videos. We have no experience with them.

Vojta therapy (reflexlocomotion)

Vojta therapy (reflexlocomotion) is a highly specialized type of physical therapy that is designed to primarily enhance the motor development of a child. The treatment has added benefits of improvements in cognition, fine motor, breathing, and digestion. Vojta therapy is quite well known and well received across
Europe and Japan and is expanding around the globe. The Vojta training centers are based in Germany and the Czech Republic. The method originated in the1950’s by a pediatric neurologist, Dr. Vaclav Vojta and is still being improved upon. Vojta therapy is based on responses and reflexes to specific stimuli
provoking muscle chain reactions as they appear in a typical child's motor development. The treatment encourages those responses through specific positions and pressures applied.

SARA 4 Kids, LLC (Specialized Alternative Rehabilitative Approaches for Kids) - Thanks to Sue Iwanski for contributing the Vojta information

Vojta Therapy Website 

Below is a collection of links in alphabetical order from our own research and from other great websites such as Kid Power,  and Pediatric Stroke Network

If you are the owner of any copyrighted material on this website, please contact us. It is not our intention to use any copyrighted material without permission.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Cerebral Palsy Info: NINDS is the US governments funding center. Almost all research is funded by NIH. This website gives a general explanation of CP and some of the research areas funded. As you will see, there is no mention of funding for a cure to brain injury. The focus is on treating the medical complications that occur because of the brain injury. ie Seizures and Spasticity.

ACUPUNCTURE

ADELI SUIT - We do not have direct experience with this therapy. An adapted Russian astronaut space suit designed to put the body in proper alignment and to provide feedback between the muscles and the brain. 

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  A reeducation of the mind and body on how to use the correct amount of effort for each task performed in a day. It helps to relieve tension and can help with ease of movement, coordination, and balance.

AMINO ACID THERAPY - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  Use of specially selected combinations of amino acids designed to control the exchange processes in the damaged brain cells.

AQUATIC THERAPY - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  Physical & Occupational therapy that is performed in a pool heated to between 92 and 96 degrees. These warm temperatures help to decrease spasticity and along with the buoyancy of the water helps the therapist get the patient into positions that are not tolerable for them during land based therapy. This therapy assists in improving range of motion, cardiovascular endurance, balance, strength, proprioception, tactile stimulation tolerance, relaxation, ambulation and pain management. This therapy can be used along with land-based therapy to best meet a patients needs. Listed below are a few of the indications where aquatic therapy could be utilized: developmental delay, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, post orthopedic surgery, back pain, Down's Syndrome, PDD, ADD, autism, sensory and vestibular involvement.

AUDITORY INTEGRATION THERAPY - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  AIT involves several components including some audiological work, behavior analysis and management, educational issues, and after-care counseling for the client and family. The most satisfactory results can be obtained when a multi-disciplinary team approach is used for the administration of the AIT program. SAIT recommends a multi-disciplinary team which could include (but is not limited to) specialists in the fields of audiology, psychology, special education, and speech/language.

BOTOX - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  Botulinum Toxin--Injected into spastic muscles to weaken them. During the period that these muscles are weakened increased therapy helps to reach a greater range of motion and to increase strength in the non-spastic muscles. Helps to decrease scissoring of legs and decrease spasticity even after the Botox injections wear off. Effects are only temporary and injections have to be repeated about every 6 months to a year.

CONDUCTIVE EDUCATION - An education system used to develop problem solving skills in people with physical disabilities. Seeks to make it easier for persons to function at their maximum potential in society and teaches them to find their own solutions. Promotes self confidence and motivation.

CONSTRAINED INDUCED THERAPY -  therapy used for stroke patients consisting of restraining the unaffected arm/hand so the patient is forced to use the affected arm/hand. This is thought to retrain the brain to be able to use the affected hand/arm.

CRANIO-SACRAL THERAPY - Cranialsacral therapy is the evaluation and enhancement of the wave like pulsations of the cerebral spinal fluid. Helps to steady the gait and to properly align the body.

DANCE - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  Can help children of all ages and has many rewarding benefits such as: increased self esteem, better motor planning skills, socialization and group interaction skills, increased self awareness of personal and surrounding spaces, and an excellent avenue for also using verbal skills with song and dance!

EEG BIOFEEDBACK - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  A learning strategy that enables persons to alter their brain waves by making information about their brain wave characteristics available to them so that they can learn to change them. Electrodes attached to the head measure brain wave activity while you move certain muscles. Learn to use certain parts of the brain to move certain muscles.

EMG BIOFEEDBACK - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  Used to train alternate cells of the brain that are not damaged to take over the task for damaged ones in brain damage such as stroke, head trauma, and cerebral palsy.

FELDENKRAIS - It provides environments for the nervous system to learn through touch and movement and develops sensory awareness to help people recognize habits of movement and posture

FES/FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  The principle behind this treatment is to deliver small electrical signals imitating the nerve impulses that have been blocked by brain or spinal cord injury. This therapy can be used with stroke victims, brain and spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.

HIPPOTHERAPY/THERAPEUTIC HORSEBACK RIDING - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  Therapeutic Horseback Riding--Therapy done while the person is on horseback. Helps with balance and can reduce spasticity. Also is great for increasing self-esteem.
The Camelot Center
Graduate Certificate Program in Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy
Hyperion Farm, Inc.--Hippotherapy
The NARHA
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian
STRIDES
Taking a ride helps learning to walk— Hippotherapy
Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic Horseback Riding and the Feldenkrais Method

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

HBOT - Pure oxygen delivered under increased atmospheric pressure in order to force more oxygen into the bloodstream.   HBOT has a huge interest among special needs parents globally. There is also a growing market that has sprung up around the world to fill the treatment demands of these parents.  The web has largely been responsible for the rapid spread of anecdotes from one parent to the next about the success of HBOT.  This in-itself is a very important and wonderful thing.  However, now if you search the web for the words "HBOT" or "cerebral palsy treatment" quite often you are directed to a commercial website promoting HBOT.  Even HBOTs biggest supporters will agree that HBOT is not a cure and not without risks.  Therefore, The BRIGHT Foundation wishes to give the webs best analysis of HBOT.  In the coming days (maybe weeks), The BRIGHT Foundation will work to try to give you a balanced understanding of the pros and cons of HBOT.  Please stay tuned.

In the mean time here a small sampling of links related to HBOT.

American College of Hyperbaric Medicine 
UHMS
Kevin Fickle
H.B.O. and Cerebral Investigations In Stroke
HBO Patient Handbook
HBO Public Discussion List
HBO 4 R Kids
HBO Stories
HBOT for Developmental Disabilities including RS and CP
HBOT Online
HOT4CP
H.O.T. 4 R CP Kids Foundation
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy--Questions & Answers
Listing of HBO Centers
New Uses for HBO
Ocean Hyperbaric Center
Harch Hyperbarics
Dr. Harch's Letter on HBO

Several of these links can also be found at the excellent site Kid Power.  You can also receive information from Mums, the cost for the MUMS information packet is $20.00.  

Julie J. Gordon, MUMS, National Parent-to-Parent Network, 150 Custer Court, Green Bay, WI, 54301-1243, 1-877-336-5333 (toll free) 920-336-5333 920-339-0995 (Fax)

MANUAL THERAPY - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  the therapist puts the muscles into a state of relaxation before stretching begins. They treat both soft tissue and joint structures.

MEDEK - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  A physical therapy program for infants and young children. Works on helping to develop the gross motor skills of these children with a rigorous routine of therapy.

MUSIC THERAPY - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  the use of music as therapy for the treatment of neurological, mental, or behavioral disorders.

NEURO THERAPY (IAHP, NACD)- We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  You can use a program from The Institutes, NACD program, or a trained independent neurodevelopmentalist. The Institutes uses a very rigorous program. Some parents find this very hard to follow. NACD is an offshoot of The Institutes and is less restrictive than IAHP.  A local therapist or an independent who travels to your area are probably the most convenient options.

ORAL BACLOFEN - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  helps alleviate the signs and symptoms of spasticity. Is not effective for everyone.

ROLFING - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  The manipultion of the soft tissues or myofacial system to allow for proper alignment and organization of the whole body in gravity. Helps loosen up spastic muscles and smooths out gait patterns and helps keep the spine aligned.

SAMONAS SOUND THERAPY - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  Provides a slight massage to certain areas of the middle ear (stapedius and tympanic muscles) opening the systmm to sounds previously shut out or never accessed. If the sounds that are made available to the auditory system are not threatening, then the stimulation of the auditory system and growth in this area and all of the related systems can be achieved. If the sounds are a source of continued irritation or if the system is overstimulated, then these very same sounds can become another source of shutting down of the auditory system. Hence, the use of sound therapy must be done with wisdom and caution, making sure that there are not adverse reactions, at least long term adverse reactions." --taken from "Samonas Sound Therapy" by Kay Ness, Copyright 1999.

THERAPEUTIC ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - We do not have direct experience with this therapy.  Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation--is a low level electrical stimulation that does not contract the muscles but is enough to get blood to flow to them in hopes of helping stimulate muscle growth. The electrodes are worn at night during sleep when the body rejuvenates itself the most, in order to get optimum benefit. The electrodes are placed on the atrophied muscles in hopes to get them to grow and counteract the over active spastic muscles or to just get hypo tonic muscles to gain strength. A person has to be evaluated by a qualified therapist and approved before they can begin therapy. Patients are followed closely while on the TES and reevaluated at least every six months to mark progress and determine if placement of the electrodes is providing the desired effect.

YOGA - Used to stimulate the cognitive and motor development of special needs children.

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