Children and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy Making Strides in Intensive Therapy Clinic

CLEVELAND, Sept. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For children and young adults with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders affecting their movement, strength, balance and coordination, daily activities can be a challenge. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 1 in 303 8-year-old children in the United States are affected by cerebral palsy, the most common motor disability in childhood. Neuromuscular disorders affect the nerves that control voluntary muscles, such as those that control your arms and legs. While symptoms vary among disorders and with each individual, many struggle with mobility, speech, and their own self-care. Many require ongoing physical and occupational therapy treatments to maintain muscle function and strength, though these traditional therapies may not provide the progress parents hope for their children.

As the Achievement Centers for Children marks its 6^th anniversary of its Intensive Therapy Clinic, specialized occupational therapists and physical therapists recall the many children and young adults who have achieved significant and sustainable goals through this innovative therapy model. "Joe, a gregarious 8-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, dreamed of walking to his classes in school with his friends without assistance, and was able to progress toward giving up his crutches after his 3 week Intensive Therapy session," related Bonnie Boenig, Director of Therapy and the Intensive Therapy Clinic at the Achievement Centers for Children.  She continued, "2-year-old Layla experienced severe weakness on the right side of her body as a result of a stroke that occurred before she was born. This weakness impacted Layla's functional use of her right hand, and interfered with her ability to reach her developmental milestones of sitting up, crawling and walking." Through the ongoing customized care she received by her multidisciplinary team of therapists, along with specialized techniques and equipment in the Intensives Therapy Clinic, Layla now walks independently, runs and swims. Her parents are delighted with her progress." The concentrated repetitive actions and techniques by skilled, experienced therapists "teach" the muscles in a shorter length of time than traditional therapies. This relatively new model of treatment in the U.S. has given families hope by maximizing their child's potential, independence and enhancing their quality of life.

Learn more about Layla's progress and others in the Achievement Centers for Children's Intensive Therapy Clinic in this short video.

The Achievement Centers for Children is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work with children with disabilities and their families to enable and empower children with disabilities and their families to grow, learn, play and prepare for lifelong achievement in society.  Providing comprehensive high-quality, cost-effective services and programs in the areas of therapy, family support, education, autism services, recreation and adapted sports, the Achievement Centers for Children provides professional, compassionate care for children, teens and adults and their families at facilities in Highland Hills, Westlake and Camp Cheerful in Strongsville, Ohio.  For more information, visit www.achievementcenters.org or call 440-250-2520.

Deborah Osgood
Vice President of Development and Marketing
Achievement Centers for Children
4255 Northfield Rd.
Highland Hills, Ohio 44128
Office - (216) 292-9700 ext. 224
Cell - (216) 246-7409
[email protected]

Video - http://youtu.be/7rfyrgTOovI?list=UU3R8XrcwJwAzJO4PpoE2RiA

SOURCE Achievement Centers for Children