Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Disorders Outpatient Service
MeritCare Children's Hospital has developed an outpatient service for the individual with cerebral palsy. This Coordinated Treatment Center based program is designed to evaluate and enhance the abilities of those developmentally delayed in motor skills, speech, feeding or the capacity to learn.
Some facts about cerebral palsy
- A term applied to impaired muscular control.
- Involves a non-changing neurological problem.
- Intelligence - may be normal or there may be learning disabilities or varying degrees of mental retardation.
- Frequently the cause is not known.
- May have difficulty with hearing, vision or speech.
- Movement disorders (CP) can vary considerably from child to child. Some are stiff and rigid, some have involuntary and uncontrolled movements and some have a disturbed sense of balance.
- Early diagnosis is important to receive treatment to maximize potential.
- Orthopaedic surgery may be required to decrease or abolish spastic muscle imbalance.
- Braces are sometimes used to improve muscle coordination, or to prevent or correct deformity.
Visit the meritcare.com health library for more information about cerebral palsy.
The team approach
The treatment team approach is used in this multidisciplinary program. The individual with cerebral palsy will see a variety of specialists who provide coordinated, multidisciplinary health evaluation and treatment in one location. As a result, separate appointments to see a number of specialists usually are not necessary.
An individualized program
After each professional has seen the individual, the team of specialists meet to develop a treatment plan which specifically meets the individual's needs. Community agency personnel are welcome to attend this meeting. This program is supported by the North Dakota Children's Special Health Services, which means the program is provided at no cost to residents of North Dakota.
Spasticity Treatment Options
MeritCare has a team of specialists trained to implant intrathecal pumps which deliver Baclofen to decrease spasticity. This treatment approach is appropriate for some children with spasticity associated with cerebral palsy.
The team of specialists
The child will see any of the following specialists depending on individual needs:
- Pediatrician
- Rehabilitation specialist (physiatrist)
- Pediatric orthopaedic surgeon
- Pediatric neurologist
- Pediatric occupational therapist
- Pediatric speech-language pathologist
- Pediatric physical therapist
- Pediatric dietitian
- Pediatric social worker
- Pediatric nurse
- Psychologist
MeritCare Children's Hospital
The Cerebral Palsy Outpatient Service is a program of MeritCare Children's Hospital, a specialty hospital within MeritCare Medical Center. MeritCare Children's Hospital is a 58 bed medical and surgical facility designated for the diagnosis, treatment and care of infants, children and adolescents. It is the only Children's Hospital in North Dakota that meets the strict criteria for full membership and is also the principal pediatric referral center for the tri-state area.
Program Offering
The Cerebral Palsy Outpatient Service is held once a month from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the Coordinated Treatment Center at MeritCare Medical Center. The Treatment Center is located on the third floor of the MeritCare Broadway Health Center. This program takes about six hours depending upon the number of specialists the individual needs to see. Appointments are necessary.
Who is eligible?
Any child birth through 18 years with cerebral palsy or related developmental disability.
For more information or to make an appointment, call
MeritCare Children's Hospital
(701) 234-6600 or toll-free (800) 828-2901
8 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays