It’s natural to want a child to be born healthy; however, complications can happen during pregnancy, at birth or shortly after birth. These complications may increase the risk of injury to the baby’s brain. If this happens, the baby may develop cerebral palsy, a condition in which there is damage to the part of the brain that controls muscles and nerves of the body.
Children with cerebral palsy may have poor head control, poor coordination, difficulty in sucking, muscle spasms and seizures.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy. It can be managed, though, by helping children develop to their fullest potential through therapy and treatment.
UCP is a private, non-profit organization that runs several programs; the largest is the Child Development Center. The funds needed to run the Center come from a variety of sources -- the Department of Health's Early Intervention Section, Aloha United Way, various trusts and foundations, and our own fundraising events, such as Rubber Duckie Race and Dessert Fantasy.
The Center provides early intervention services for children between the ages of birth and three years who have cerebral palsy or other conditions with similar therapy needs. Community-based services are provided.
A trans-disciplinary team that includes an occupational therapist, physical therapist, teacher, speech pathologist and social worker/care coordinator provide therapy services and work closely with families to support their children's development. Parent to parent support is encouraged by providing program opportunities for parent networking.
UCP staff goes into your home or to your day care provider's location to provide early intervention services. It is important that therapy be provided as part of your child's daily routines and activities. The federal special education law, Individuals with Disabilities Act, more commonly known as IDEA, support this. It is called providing services in the child's natural environment.
The UCP staff will be working with you in promoting and supporting your child's developmental skills in the areas of gross motor (sitting, crawling, walking), fine motor (using arms, hands), communication (talking and understanding words), self-help (eating, dressing), cognitive (learning), and social (relationships with others).
All UCP staff members are excellent early interventionists. They are experienced and skillful and will work with you in providing your child with the support he/she needs to develop skills.
United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii is the proud recipient of a $250,000 endowment from The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
The interest from these funds goes to support the Child Development Center - an early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays.
Contact the Child Development Center at (808) 532-6740
