Melanie Hessenauer
Every child has the right to develop their full potential. Current scientific findings show us impressively that we should give children the chance to do so as early as possible in their lives1,2. International recommendations describe what effective therapies for children with cerebral palsy can look like3,4,5. In addition, our many years of experience show us how much joy it brings the children and us therapists to achieve goals together and to celebrate the successes of the children and their families.
Let us put into practice the knowledge we have gained over the last 15 years about early therapy for children with neurological impairments. Together with the centre of excellence for early intervention, let us make life easier for children with neurological impairments and their families.
Melanie Hessenauer
Head occupational therapist at the Centre for Paediatric Neurology, Neurorehabilitation and Epileptology, Schön Klinik Vogtareuth, Germany
Senior instructor for the AHA (Assisting Hand Assessment) www.cpteaching.com
Lecturer in evidence-based interventions for children with cerebral palsy
References
1Morgan, C. et al. (2021). Early Intervention for Children Aged 0 to 2 Years with or at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy: International Clinical Practice Guideline Based on Systematic Reviews. JAMA Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.0878
2Boyd, RN., Greaves S., et al. (2025). Randomized Comparison Trial of Rehabilitation Very Early for Infants with Congenital Hemiplegia. J Pediatr. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114381
3Novak, I. et al. (2019). State of the Evidence Traffic Lights 2019: Systematic Review of Interventions for Preventing and Treating Children with Cerebral Palsy. Curr Neurol Neurosci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-020-1022-z
4Jackman, M. et al. (2021). Interventions to improve physical function for children and young people with cerebral palsy: international clinical practice guideline. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.15055
5Greaves, S., Hoare B (2024). Upper Limb Therapy for Infants and Young Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Clinical Framework. J Clinical Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13226873