Cerebral Palsy

What is it?

Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder that affects muscle movement and coordination. Cerebral Palsy is caused by brain damage or a malformation that occurs while a child's brain is under development. Most individuals with Cerebral Palsy are born with the condition, but it is possible to acquire it later.

Treatment

Cerebral Palsy is incurable. However, there are treatment options that improve functional abilities, treat pain, and improve mental health. The first of these treatments is medication. Medication can loosen muscles and manage spasms related to CP. The next treatment option is therapy. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy can all be beneficial treatments for a person with CP. Physical therapy can help with movement. Occupational therapy can help the child gain independence. Speech and Language therapy can help the child improve his or her communication skills. Another treatment option is surgical procedures. These procedures can help lengthen muscles and tendons that are shortened due to contractions. The last form of treatment is mental health treatment.

Facts

It is non-life-threatening
It is incurable
It is unique to the individual
It is manageable
It is permanent
It is chronic
There are four main types
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy
- Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
- Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
- Mixed Cerebral Palsy

Signs of Cerebral Palsy

Younger than 6 months

The child is stiff
The child is floppy
The child's head lags when being picked up from lying on his back
The child's legs are stiff when picked up, and they tend to cross

Older than 6 months

The child cannot bring his hands together
The child reaches out only with one hand
The child cannot roll over
The child cannot bring his hands to his mouth

Older than 10 months

The child has difficulty crawling
- He tends to push with one hand and foot and drag the other hand and foot
The child moves around on his bottom instead of crawling normally

References

Cerebral palsy. (2019, August 17). Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cerebral-palsy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354005
Definition of Cerebral Palsy. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/definition
What is Cerebral Palsy? (2020, September 11). Retrieved October 16, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html

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