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The Center for Cerebral Palsy at UCLA/LuskinOIC is dedicated to improving physical ability and independence in children through early diagnosis, comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment. Because cerebral palsy is a complex neurological disorder affecting various aspects of balance, strength, coordination and muscle tone, our team of medical experts takes an interdisciplinary approach to accomplishing its mission.
The Center for Cerebral Palsy at UCLA/LuskinOIC is renowned for its excellence in cerebral palsy treatment, research and education. We are the only interdisciplinary clinic in Los Angeles that evaluates and treats individuals with cerebral palsy from childhood through adulthood. Patients and their families are an integral part of the treatment decision-making process, and treatments are tailored to meet the individual patient’s goals and needs.
Our interdisciplinary approach begins on the first visit. Your child will meet with an orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist and orthotist and may meet with a physiatrist and/or a developmental pediatrician. Your child will undergo a state-of-the-art biomechanical assessment of their motor impairments and be introduced to the latest research opportunities in cerebral palsy (CP) offered in conjunction with UCLA Medical Center. As part of the Center, this assessment may also include a referral to our motion analysis laboratory, where we utilize the most up-to-date technologies to assess motor function, control and walking abilities.
In return visits, we may make referrals to other specialists on our team with expertise in occupational and speech therapy, psychology, pain management, developmental pediatrics, gastroenterology, neurology, neurosurgery, nutrition, ophthalmology, genetics, urology and osteoporosis.
Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood physical disability in the United States and throughout the world. There is not a single cause for cerebral palsy, and it is not caused by any specific genetic problem. It is a group of disorders affecting posture, strength and movement that occur as a result of an injury that occurs in the developing brain, typically around the time of birth.
Each child with cerebral palsy is unique. Depending on the location and extent of the injury, it can affect movement, balance, speech, vision and coordination. The damage to the brain may also result in intellectual impairment, seizures, and problems with learning, eating and
At LuskinOIC, we take a collaborative approach to diagnosing and treating cerebral palsy. Our team of experts are led by:
Our doctors are supported by a specialized team of medical professionals exclusively focused on pediatric orthopedics. This team may include:
From bringing the right paperwork to driving directions, find out what you need to know for your visit.