Although cerebral palsy cannot be completely cured, treatment can often improve a child's capabilities. There is no standard treatment that works for all patients. A treatment plan can include some approaches such as drugs to control seizures and muscle spasms, counseling for emotional and psychological needs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and behavioral therapy.

Physical Therapy:

Physical therapy begins shortly after cerebral palsy is diagnosed. Physical therapy involves the use of specific exercises to prevent the weakening or deterioration of muscles from disuse that is known as disuse atrophy and it is also used to avoid contracting of muscle that is muscles fixed in a rigid or abnormal position. Contracting of muscle is one of the most common and serious complications of cerebral palsy and can seriously disrupt balance.

Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Behavioral Therapy:

As a child grows up to approach school age, physical therapy helps the child by improving his or her ability to sit and to move independently or in a wheelchair. Many children also benefit from occupational therapy that helps the child to develop skills such as feeding, dressing or using the bathroom. Speech therapy works to identify specific difficulties a child with cerebral palsy may have and to help the child to learn to use special communication devices. Behavioral therapy uses psychological theory and techniques to assist the child with his or her physical, speech, or occupational therapy. Counseling for emotional and psychological challenges may be needed at any age and especially during adolescence.

Drug Therapy:

Drug Therapy is effective in preventing seizures associated with cerebral palsy in many patients. Drugs may be used to control spasticity for short periods. The medications used most often are those that relax the brain and body such as diazepam, which block signals sent from the spinal cord to contract the muscles such as baclofen, and which interfere with the process of muscle contraction such as dantrolene. The use of drugs may cause serious side effects and their long-term effects on the developing nervous system are unknown. The drugs that are often prescribed are anticholinergics, which work by reducing the activity of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that helps some brain cells to communicate and trigger muscle contraction.