NNHC Resource Center
Cerebral Palsy Resources
Resources for children, adults, and families living with cerebral palsy, with practical guidance on mobility, communication, feeding and swallowing, equipment, personal care, education, transitions, and community support.
Cerebral Palsy Is Lifelong, but Needs Can Change
Cerebral palsy affects movement, balance, and posture. The underlying brain injury or difference does not progressively worsen, but functional needs, pain, mobility, equipment, communication, feeding, and caregiver support needs can change across childhood and adulthood. New or sudden changes still deserve appropriate medical evaluation.
Build Support Around the Person
Cerebral palsy affects people differently. Care planning should be individualized around the person’s strengths, goals, communication style, mobility, medical needs, and preferred level of independence.
Mobility & Positioning
Physical therapy, positioning, orthotics, wheelchairs, gait devices, stretching, and other supports may help preserve comfort, mobility, and participation.
Communication
Speech therapy, augmentative and alternative communication, communication devices, eye-gaze systems, or other strategies may support expressive communication.
Daily Living Skills
Occupational therapy and adaptive equipment can support bathing, dressing, feeding, school, work, recreation, and other daily activities.
Feeding, Swallowing & Nutrition
Some people with cerebral palsy have difficulty chewing, swallowing, maintaining weight, or safely managing food and liquids.
Follow the Ordered Feeding Plan
Use the food textures, liquid consistencies, positioning, tube-feeding instructions, and aspiration precautions ordered by the clinical team.
Watch for Warning Signs
Coughing or choking with meals, recurrent respiratory illness, prolonged mealtimes, weight loss, dehydration, or a wet-sounding voice after swallowing should be discussed with the healthcare team.
Coordinate Nutrition & Therapy
Dietitians, speech-language pathologists, gastroenterology, primary care, and other specialists may all contribute depending on the person’s needs.
Education, Early Intervention & Transition
Children and young adults may qualify for supports through early-intervention programs, public schools, and disability-related transition services.
Under IDEA, eligible children may receive early-intervention services and, for school-aged students, special education and related services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language services, assistive technology, and transportation. Families should work with the school or early-intervention team on the individual plan that applies to the child.
North Carolina Supports
For eligible North Carolina residents with I/DD-related support needs, Medicaid and state disability programs may offer home- and community-based services.
NC Innovations Waiver
The Innovations Waiver covers home- and community-based services for eligible children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Cerebral palsy can qualify when waiver criteria are met.
1915(i) Services While Waiting
Some NC Medicaid beneficiaries with I/DD may qualify for 1915(i) services such as Community Living and Supports, supported employment, respite, and other community-based assistance while waiting for Innovations.
NC Disability Services
NCDHHS links families to assistive technology, independent living, employment, I/DD, and other disability-related programs.
South Carolina Supports
South Carolina offers Medicaid waiver and developmental-disability pathways for eligible residents who need long-term supports in the community.
SC ID/RD Waiver
The Intellectual Disability and Related Disabilities waiver provides home- and community-based services for eligible people who meet the applicable level-of-care criteria.
SC Waiver Management
SCDHHS maintains current information about approved HCBS waivers, waiver comparison information, enrollment, and referrals.
Plan for Transition
Families should begin planning before major transitions such as leaving school, moving to adult services, changing caregivers, or moving toward supported or independent living.
How NNHC Can Help
NNHC can discuss personal care, respite, companion support, private-duty nursing, and other in-home services that may fit the person’s assessed needs, authorization, and payer requirements.
Resource notice: This page is educational and does not replace medical, therapy, legal, educational, or individualized care advice. Program eligibility and waiver availability can change. Resource links reviewed September 18, 2026.