TREATMENT
All cerebral palsied children are brain injured; however, all brain injured children are not cerebral palsied. The injury to the brain which results in the symptoms which lead to a label of cerebral palsy is associated with injury to the motor centers of the brain. The location of the injury determines the form of the dysorganization, and thus, the particular loss of function. Children with brain injury and resulting loss of motor function often go undiagnosed until many months following birth. Although the injury occurred at the time of birth, the problem often does not manifest itself until the child is functioning at the level of the injury. For example, a child with a mid-brain injury would not necessarily have abnormal function until such time as he has developmentally reached that level. With the child labeled as being cerebral palsied, as with every other child lacking function because of neurological dysorganization, treatment is directed toward organizing the brain (stimulating the growth of brain connections) . Brain cells that have died are not replaced. Neither are injured cells repaired. Through stimulation new connections grow between the healthy cells permitting those healthy parts of the brain to carry out the function of the injured or dead cells. The more connections between the brain cell bodies, the more efficient the system. The more efficient the system, the higher the level of function. Cerebral palsy is a symptomatic diagnosis which does not identify the problem. Symptomatic treatment attempts to lessen the symptoms, not reach the cause. The problem with a spastic arm is a problem with the brain. The problem with a rigid leg is a problem with the brain. Symptomatic treatment aimed solely at the limbs does not treat the cause of the problem - the brain! Neurological organization is an ongoing process which can be accelerated by increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of appropriate stimuli. Appropriate stimuli causes the growth of connections and a corresponding increase in function.