The Waisman Center is committed to providing high-quality services to children with cerebral palsy and their families. CP is the most common cause of severe motor disability in children. Up to one-half of children with CP may have a co-occurring intellectual disability. Research suggests that 60 percent of children with CP have communication problems, yet many do not receive appropriate interventions until they experience significant communication challenges.
Cerebral Palsy Clinic
The Waisman Center Cerebral Palsy Clinic is an interdisciplinary team of professionals addresses the complex needs of children up to 21 years of age with cerebral palsy (CP) and other neurological conditions that affect motor development.
CASC - Augmentative Communication Aids & Systems Clinic
The CASC team’s speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists partner with families to provide highly specialized, cutting-edge augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for children and adults experiencing significant communication difficulties.
Neuromotor Development Clinic
The Waisman Center Neuromotor Development Clinic is an interdisciplinary team of professionals works together to evaluate the needs of young children (generally under three years of age) with motor disability including early cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions that affect motor development.
UCEDD
The mission of the Waisman Center, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is to support the full inclusion and self determination of people with developmental disabilities and their families. Autism is a major area of focus.
Epidemiology of Cerebral Palsy
WISADDS is a multi-source public health surveillance project that monitors the prevalence of autism spectrums disorders (ASDs), cerebral palsy (CP), and co-occurring intellectual disability (ID) in 8-year-old children within a 10-county area in southeastern Wisconsin.
Southern Regional Center for CYSHCN
The Wisconsin Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program regional center located at the Waisman Center.
Cerebral Palsy Day with the Experts
Learn about the latest advances in cerebral palsy research and clinical services and hear from a panel of experts-individuals with cerebral palsy and family members. Visit the archives page to view past presentations and download handouts.
Research Activities
Katherine C. Hustad, PhD, leads several longitudinal studies focused on communication development in children with CP. These studies aim to characterize changes in speech and language abilities from infancy through adolescence in this heterogeneous population.
Cerebral Palsy News
Waisman CP Clinic strikes a balance
Twins Sebastian and Charlotte Sundly are quite the contrasting pair, yet they balance one another out perfectly in some interesting and unexpected ways.
Remembering Ludell Swenson
A peek into a collection of newspaper clippings about Ludell Swenson reveals the life of an extraordinarily accomplished person: marathoner, competitive tournament bowler, outspoken social services advocate. But what stands out the most is his …
Study offers first look at how children with cerebral palsy develop language skills
By Adityarup “Rup” Chakravorty A new study of children with cerebral palsy could help ease the speech and language challenges many of these children face as they get older. Published in the journal Developmental Medicine …
Research tackles communication disorders in kids
It has been said that communication is the essence of human life. In fact, our ability to communicate an unlimited number of thoughts and ideas separates humans from all other creatures.
Recap: Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Cerebral Palsy
To kick off March, Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, the Waisman Center hosted its first Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Cerebral Palsy on Saturday, March 1. Nearly 200 people attended the outreach event, which was a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- More Cerebral Palsy posts
Resources & Services
Research Participation | 800.965.9205; 608.263.5192; registry@waisman.wisc.edu; Participate in Research
The Waisman Center’s Research Registry links individuals and families to research projects at the Waisman Center. The Waisman Center maintains a confidential registry of families and individuals who would like to be contacted about upcoming research projects. Enrollment in the Research Registry does not obligate an individual or family to participate in any study.
Community Outreach for Children with Challenging Behaviors | 608.265.9438; cow.waisman.wisc.edu/ties
Community Training, Intervention and Evaluations Services (TIES) is an outreach program for children and adults with developmental disabilities who present various challenging behaviors, including withdrawal, aggression and self-injury. The mission of Community TIES is to address behavioral, psychological, and emotional needs using therapeutic approaches that insure continued participation in the community. TIES provides counseling, crisis response, psychiatric consultation, parent education and support, and training for personnel and program consultation in local human service agencies. Directed by Josh Lapin, MSW, and funded by Dane County, this program maintains an active caseload of approximately 250 children and adults in Dane County.
Well Badger Resource Center | 800-642-7837; text: (608) 360-9328; help@wellbadger.org; https://www.wellbadger.org/
When you have questions about health and social services, figuring out where to go when you need help can be overwhelming. We’re here to make it easier. Well Badger Resource Center is your one-stop connection to community, social, health, and government programs — a place to find what you need, when you need it.