Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is not a disease but a neurodevelopmental disability in functioning.

There are more than 100,000 preschool children, 300,000 school age children, and 800,000 adults with cerebral palsy in the United States.

This year in Kent, Ottawa and Allegan counties, we estimate that approximately 50 children will be born with Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy is often not diagnosed before age 2. A child can be assessed for suitability for the program without a diagnosis, based on observation of motor delays, which could benefit from conductive education. Peto Institute officials published statistics that indicate approximately 75 percent of the children who participated in the program before their first birthday were able to mainstream by age 3 to 6 years. A comprehensive functional approach between medical, educational and community professionals is essential.