Rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy from a physiotherapist's perspective

Pediatric rehabilitation requires a multidisciplinary team approach to disabilities or handicaps caused by physical, mental, sensory-perceptional, or cognitive disorders due to prenatal, natal, or postnatal causes. Cerebral palsy (CP) is defined as persistent but not progressive disorder of posture and movement system, associated with functional activity limitations and sensorial, cognitive, communication problems, epilepsy, and musculoskeletal system problems. Physiotherapy approaches in rehabilitation applications aim to normalize sensorial and motor functions, provide normal posture and independent functional activity, regulate muscle tone, improve visual and auditory reactions, support normal motor development and motor control, improve ambulation and endurance, increase the quality of the existing movements, prevent soft tissue, joint and postural disorders, support orthopedic and surgical procedures, and finally to prepare the child for the adolescent and adult periods. Setting realistic goals, determination of the priorities, informing the family and enhancing family participation in physiotherapy programs will increase the success of physiotherapy. This article reviews current rehabilitation approaches and physiotherapy applications for children with CP.