Also available as pdf file: Hand Play PDF A child with hemiparesis sometimes has excess muscle tone in the hand. They may have problems isolating finger movement, turning their hand over (palm up), holding their wrist at a proper angle, […]
Physical Therapy
Pediatric physical therapy (PT) is conducted by a licensed physical therapist who has graduated from an accredited physical therapy degree program. Most children who have hemiplegia receive services from a physical therapist. This type of therapy will help your child reach developmental milestones […]
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists (OTs) help children with hemiplegia improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living. They help children succeed in their “occupation” of learning, playing, and growing. When skill and strength cannot be developed or improved, occupational therapy […]
Learning Differences
Children with hemiplegia or hemiparesis may develop learning differences. There have been few long-term follow-up studies of cognitive development in children with early stroke. Children with hemiplegia may be in traditional classroom settings, pulled out for special resource classes, receive assistance […]
Hemispherectomy
What is it? A hemispherectomy is the surgical removal of one half of the brain. Why is it done? A hemispherectomy is performed in children who have severe and intractable seizure disorders. Many of these children do not respond to […]
Pediatric Stroke
Learn More About Pediatric Stroke Pediatric Stroke Awareness – Everything you need to get started! – Click here for Fact Sheet, Awareness Month Ideas, How to Host a Pediatric Stroke Event, How to Share Your Child’s Story, Proclamations , Videos, […]
Seizures
Epilepsy is a seizure disorder. According to the Epilepsy Foundation of America, a seizure happens when a brief, strong surge of electrical activity affects part or all of the brain. Seizures can last from a few seconds to a few […]
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus, also known years ago as “water on the brain”, is a condition where the circulation system of the body’s cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is not functioning properly. The CSF accumulates in the brain and causes intracranial pressure. A shunt […]
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy—also known as CP—is a condition caused by injury to the parts of the brain that control our ability to use our muscles and bodies. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means weakness or problems with […]
Facebook Groups
CHASA Facebook Page “Like” Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association’s Facebook Page and receive the latest news about CHASA activities, adaptive equipment, research trials, and more. This is also a perfect page for extended families and friends to join. CHASA Facebook Specialty […]
Answering Questions
We struggle to answer those sometimes rather unusual and often private questions from strangers, family and friends. Below we share some ways that parents of children with hemiplegia have handled these questions. Parents Speak – Questions from Strangers Teach your […]
Resources in Your State or Country
CHASA Discussion Groups – CHASA has online discussion groups for families in many states and countries. Join us! National Listings Most of these have searchable maps. Benefits.gov ILRU Directory of Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils […]
Local Support
CHASA connects families of children with hemiplegia, mild cerebral palsy, or pediatric stroke. You are not alone! We also connect adults who’ve had hemiplegia since childhood. Join one of our Facebook Groups to connect with others in your community. If […]
HemiKids Online Group
We have closed the Hemi-Kids Listserv. Current members will continue to use the listserv, but we are not adding new members at this time. You can find similar parent groups on Facebook. Started in 1996, this friendly and supportive online email […]
For Professionals
The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA), founded in 1996, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, teens, young adults and families affected by pediatric stroke and other causes of hemiparesis or hemiplegic […]
We Need Your IEP – Individualized Education Program Project
We Need Your IEP! The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) is gathering sample IEPs and other education plans from birth through college from parents of children with disabilities and we will share these on the CHASA website. We’d like […]
Our Favorite Orgs – Strong as Steel Adaptive Sports
May is Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month and the CHASA leaders would like to share some of our favorite organizations with you. These are folks who are doing some awesome work to help kids with hemiplegia, pediatric stroke, or different disabilities […]
Join the KASA TAsk Force
KASA, Kids as Self Advocates, a Family Voices project, is looking for youth, between the ages of 12 and 18, to serve on the national Kids As Self Advocates (KASA) all-youth volunteer Task Force. This is a great opportunity to […]
Adaptation versus Innovation
I was about seventeen when I learned that most people put on their socks with two hands. It probably sounds ludicrous but it’s true: my aunt was visiting and we were about to head out for something so I was […]
Pediatric Stroke Awareness – Got a Minute?
You can spread the word that Kids Have Strokes, too. Don’t have time? Try the 1 minute ideas. More time? We have several creative projects for you to dive into. CHASA 2014 Pediatric Stroke Fact Sheet 1 Minute Tell someone […]
Our Favorite Orgs – The Traveling Awareness Bears
May is Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month and the CHASA leaders would like to share some of our favorite organizations with you. These are folks who are doing some awesome work to help kids with hemiplegia, pediatric stroke, or different disabilities […]
Our Super Star
When our son was 2 days old, he had a stroke. We were devastated. A physical therapist visited us in the NICU. She said that our newborn could make if we worked hard at rehabilitation. We took notes on the […]
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Camps for Children with Hemiplegia
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Camps and Programs 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 […]
History of Pediatric Stroke Awareness
In 2002, Heidi Jameson and Nancy Atwood, CHASA (Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association) board members and moms of two little girls who survived strokes before birth, had a conversation about how tired they were of hearing those four little words… […]
These Families are Streaking for Pediatric Stroke
May is Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month. Do you know that CHASA proclaimed the first Pediatric Stroke Awareness Day way back in 2002? A couple of moms were tired of hearing, “I didn’t know a baby could have a stoke.” Sound […]
2013 Pediatric Stroke Awareness Events
We love our volunteers! They’ve set up the following events to benefit CHASA and increase Pediatric Stroke Awareness. Let us know about any events you’re planning that will benefit the Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association and help us keep Helping […]
Basketball Manager Thomas Adams
Thomas and his parents attended the very first Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association Family Retreat in Georgia in 2001. He was a fun loving little boy and had turned into a young man with a love of basketball. Thomas is […]
Cerebral Palsy Hand Grasp Study – Participants Needed
Volunteers needed for Cerebral Palsy Grasp Study – Ages 6-13 The purpose of this study is to determine how your child positions his or her hand to pick up different shaped objects. This study will provide information about how your […]
Constraint Therapy – We Made It!
We made it. We survived 16 days of constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT). Whew. Now it’s about managing my expectations, and my disappointment, over what “stuck” and what didn’t. And disappointed is exactly what I felt. Within five minutes of […]
Survey! What’s important to you?
In keeping with CHASA’s mission of assisting pediatric stroke or hemiplegia researchers, we are making a survey from Teachers College, Columbia University available to you. Information about the survey is below. Dear Caregiver, Your responses to this brief questionnaire will […]
