What to Expect at the Cerebral Palsy Center
Whether you need a diagnosis, ongoing care, or expert guidance, our Cerebral Palsy Center is here to help. This page will walk you through what to expect before, during, and after your child’s visit.
Making an Appointment
You can make an appointment by contacting our scheduling team. While physician referrals are welcome, they are not required.
Cerebral Palsy Clinics:
- General Rehabilitation Clinic - New Visit (about 60 minutes): This is where we begin creating a care plan for your child. We welcome families who are unsure about a cerebral palsy diagnosis as well as those who already have one.
- Cerebral Palsy Team Clinic (about 50 minutes): After you’ve seen a provider in the General Rehabilitation Clinic, they may refer you to the CP Team Clinic when it’s the right time for your child. This is a more in-depth visit with a full care team. Your child will be seen by multiple specialists al at once to make sure we address all needs.
- Other specialty clinics, including the Orthopaedic CP Clinic and the Surgical Spasticity Clinic.
On the Day of Your Appointment
What to Bring
Please bring any braces, splints, walkers, wheelchairs, and strollers with you to your child’s appointment. Please bring photos or videos of other equipment you may use at home such as stander, lifts, and gait trainers. This helps our team understand how your child moves and uses their equipment at home.
Also, have your child wear loose-fitting pants or shorts, and bring the shoes they wear most often. This allows us to check wear patterns and mobility.
When to Arrive
Please plan to get to the clinic 15 minutes before your appointment. Please also allow 10-15 extra minutes for parking and walking in. If you need more time due to mobility equipment or other needs, plan accordingly.
If you’re running late, call scheduling or the Rehab clinic as soon as possible. If you’re more than 30 minutes late, we may have to reschedule your appointment.
What Happens During the Appointment
Depending on the appointment, your child may see:
- A rehabilitation doctor
- Nurses
- A physical therapist
- An occupational therapist
- A social worker
- A CMH (Children with Medical Handicaps) nurse (for Ohio residents)
- Possibly a dietitian
During the visit, we’ll:
- Ask about your child’s medical history
- Observe how your child moves, plays, and interacts
- Assess muscle tone, range of motion, strength, and development
- Talk with you about goals and concerns
- Offer guidance on next steps
We also sometimes share opportunities to take part in research studies, if they match your child’s needs and interests.
Before you leave, you’ll get a written summary (called an After Visit Summary or AVS) that includes our findings and any plans for next steps. If anything changes, we’ll call you.
Possible next steps may include:
- Changing medications
- Adjusting therapy plans
- Recommending new braces or equipment
- Referring to specialists (orthopedics, neurology, ophthalmology, etc.)
- Scheduling tests or procedures like Botox injections
- Connecting you with community resources
After Your Visit
If you have questions after your appointment, you can contact our rehab nursing team, who serve as the main point of contact between visits.
We also send a visit summary to your child’s referring doctor or pediatrician, so everyone on your care team stays in the loop.
Helping Your Family Feel at Home
We know that families come to us with different emotions—some feel uncertain or worried, others are searching for answers, and many just want support. We’re here to help.
Here’s how we make your experience more comfortable:
- We explain each part of the appointment so there are no surprises.
- We take time to listen and answer your questions.
- Our clinic spaces are designed with kids in mind, with colorful walls and toys to help children feel at ease.
- If your child is nervous or needs help getting from the car into the clinic, please call our nursing team ahead of time so we can help coordinate with Child Life staff.
No matter where you are in your journey, our team is ready to walk with you and provide the care and support your family deserves.
