Mental Health and Behavior

Some parents report that their child with hemiplegia experiences a variety of emotional and behavioral challenges. There is very little information available regarding behavioral issues that specifically deals with children who have hemiplegia or stroke. The information provided on this […]

Musical Instruments

Choosing a Musical Instrument – A Music Therapist’s Perspective A mom asked music therapist Jeanne which instruments she recommends for her son who has hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Jeanne’s answers are below. Why not look into percussion? The best part of […]

IEP

The school system will provide special education and related services for school-aged children, including preschoolers.  School staff and parents will work together to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that will describe the child’s unique needs and the services that […]

Special Education

IDEA and the Child with Hemiplegia The following information is very broad and is intended to give you a general guideline in helping navigate the special educational system.  Each child is different; often, each school district, and sometimes each school […]

Medical Alert Bracelets

Many children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy or epilepsy wear or carry something that identifies their condition and emergency contacts. These items are available in necklaces, bracelets, shoe tags and wallet cards. MedicAlert  This company has a 24-hour service that could […]

Driving

Driving is something that many teens look forward to. If you’re a teen or young adult with hemiplegia you may wonder if you’ll be able to drive and drive safely. Many individuals with hemiplegia are able to drive; however, there […]

Shoes for Orthotics, AFOs, DAFOs

Where can I buy shoes for my child’s AFO? What’s the best shoe for an AFO? Do I have to buy two sizes? These are the most common questions posted in our CHASA support groups. Check out our AFO buying […]

Dressing

Ever tried to dress using just one hand?  Try it today.  Then imagine being six years old and trying to dress with one hand.  On good days, it’s challenging, and on bad days, it’s a big stressor.  On this page, […]

Other Types of Therapy

FDA Warns Against Alternative Therapy – Hyperbaric oxygen therapy – August 2013 Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Palsy. July 2003. Augusta, Georgia.

Foot Surgery

Selective dorsal root rhizotomy attempts to reduce spasticity in the legs by reducing the amount of stimulation that reaches leg muscles through the nerves. In the procedure, the surgeon tries to locate and selectively sever over-activated nerves controlling leg muscles. […]

Hand Surgery

Hand Surgery in the Child with Hemiplegia by Robert Bunata, MD  (PDF) Tendon Transfer Surgery American Society for Surgery of the Hand Shoulder and Hemiplegia article by Robert Gould, DO Brachioradialis re-routing for the restoration of active supination and correction of […]

Surgery

Orthopedic surgery is sometimes used to treat the tight muscles that are related to hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Surgical procedures are individualized according to the child’s age, severity of hemiplegia, and overall health.  Somtimes surgery needs to be repeated as the […]

Gait in the Child With Hemiplegia

Gait refers to the controlled manner of walking or moving on foot.  The functioning of the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system determines the gait pattern. In children who have hemiplegia, this delicate system is out of balance and often […]

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy

Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy (HABIT) Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy (HABIT) in children with hemiplegia is an intervention developed at Columbia University. It aims to improve the use and coordination of both arms in daily function – the way we typically […]

Hand Splints

Excess muscle tone in the arm and hand of children with hemiplegia is very common.  The pattern for most children is one of extension.  Occupational therapists may recommend hand splints or braces for the children to help with stretching the muscles, […]

Constraint Therapy and Bimanual Therapy Camps

The following organizations or clinics have contacted CHASA and asked that we share information with you about constraint induced movement therapy and/or bimanual therapy camps they are  hosting this summer. CHASA lists these camps as a courtesy to families and […]

Research Study Recruiting – Combining Brain Stimulation and Therapy for Hand Function in Children with Hemiparesis

Update: 1/10/18. This study has closed and is no longer recruiting participants. The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association, CHASA, has teamed with Dr. Bernadette Gillick at the University of Minnesota to recruit participants for the Synergistic Effect of Combined tDCS/CIMT […]

Introducing Evan – And My Streak for Pediatric Stroke

February 21st. It’s the day that changed our lives forever. I can still remember the phone call I received from the doctor’s office – the nurse telling me that the pediatric neurologist had reviewed the results of our son Evan’s […]

Support our Amazon Smile Fundraiser

Order items from Amazon using the AmazonSmile program. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association. This is a donation from Amazon.com and you will not pay any extra […]

Pediatric Stroke Awareness Tree

We know it’s early, but you’ll need time to make your ornaments.  A few years ago, Tiffaney Carlisle, the mom of a pediatric stroke survivor from Illinois, approached the Children’s Hemipelgia and Stroke Association (CHASA) about sponsoring a pediatric stroke […]

Pediatric Stroke and Hemiplegia Awareness in the Fall

A great way to raise awareness of hemiplegic cerebral palsy, pediatric stroke, or related conditions is to set up a display or booth at your local Fall Festivals. Most communities or schools have some sort of festival in the fall […]

CHASA College Scholarships 2014

Each year, CHASA awards college and vocational school scholarships to students who have a diagnosis of hemiplegia, hemiparesis, or hemiplegic cerebral palsy. CHASA awarded fourteen scholarships in 2014 and thirteen scholarships in 2013. The 2015 application deadline is August 31st. All […]

Disabled or Typical – The Balancing Act

Let me be clear. My son is fine. And if you don’t believe me, ask anyone around me. “Your baby had a stroke? Really? Thank goodness it didn’t really affect him!” “Well, you can hardly tell he doesn’t use his […]

Emily’s Story – Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month

My husband and I always had children in our plans – it was just something we never had to discuss and knew we wanted. After being married for 3 years we decided to start trying. I was blessed with a […]

Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month – Your Facebook Status

We know you’re busy, so we’ve developed 31 days of Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month ideas for your Facebook status. Cut and paste these into your status each day. Add chasa.org to any posts that don’t have other links so people […]

Perinatal Stroke and Stroke in Children Research Studies and Clinical Trials

How to Read a Study Listed on the Clinical Trials.gov Website Pediatric Stroke Research Studies and Clinical Trials – Located in United States The following studies are listed in alphabetical order, by state. More details and contact information can be […]

Research Opportunity – Wellness Study for Parents

This project is now closed. A big thank you to the hundreds of participants who assisted with this very important research! The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association, CHASA, is assisting Dr. Kenda Grover and colleagues at the University of Arkansas […]

Individualized Education Program Examples

Examples of Individualized Education Programs for students with a diagnosis of hemiplegia, hemiplegic cerebral palsy, or hemiparesis and related disabilities. IEP and psychological report for Preschool student, age 2, with hemiplegia IEP for Pre-Kindergarten student, almost 3 years old, with […]

How long does school have to fill occupational therapy vacancy?

My son has hemiplegia and occupational therapy is one of the services he receives. This related service is included in his IEP (Individualized Education Program). His school lost their occupational therapist and are having trouble hiring a new one. What […]

Paint for Pediatric Stroke

If you’re near Richmond, Virginia on August 27th, join us for a fun-filled and creative evening! We’ll paint Sweet Cow and learn more about the Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA), a national charity that helps children with hemiplegic cerebral […]