Cerebral palsy is a brain disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. It may cause hemiplegia, where 1 side of the body is affected; diplegia, where two limbs are affected; or quadriplegia, where all four limbs are affected.
CP does not worsen with age, but it can become more noticeable and symptoms more evident as the person ages. People with CP can have a very high quality of life despite having some degree of impairment.
Insights & Support
Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect movement and posture. It is caused by damage to the immature brain that can happen before, during, or shortly after birth. The severity of symptoms can vary widely. People with CP have challenges moving and controlling their muscles and may also experience intellectual disabilities, seizures, or difficulties seeing or hearing.
Symptoms include difficulty sitting or standing, muscle spasticity (tight or stiff muscles), unsteady walking, and sometimes a combination. Affected people may have a hard time eating or swallowing, may be at risk of having life-threatening pressure ulcers, and are more likely to get infections.
Like all of us, people with Cerebral palsy want a fulfilling life and the same opportunities as everyone else. They have abilities and goals that are much like everyone else’s. The larger contexts of family, community, and workplace often shape these. Practical aids such as communication boards and electronic devices enable them to communicate their needs.
Education
Many parents are concerned that their child’s Cerebral palsy will interfere with their learning. The right educational support and treatment can help children with CP achieve success at school.
Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects movement and coordination. It occurs when part of the brain is injured — usually before, during, or shortly after birth. Symptoms differ depending on where in the brain the injury occurred. The four types of CP are spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and hypotonic.
Researchers are currently studying the effectiveness of a program designed to train self-regulated competencies and EF in people with CP. So far, results have shown that participants in the Anastacio program showed improvements in each of the three dimensions of EF, and the effects were not influenced by maturation or baseline differences in EF. The program is expected to have a wide range of educational implications. It may be helpful for schools to develop a program that teaches educators how to teach SRL and EF strategies to their students.
Employment
Cerebral palsy can impact movement, coordination, and muscle tone, challenging jobs. However, many adults with CP find gainful employment, and numerous non-profit organizations support them in finding and maintaining jobs.
Often, individuals with cerebral palsy pursue careers as nurses or early childhood development or family studies majors, and some enter into special education. Other people with CP choose to serve as advocates, either in the community or within their workplaces. Some are involved with advancing legislation, while others may focus on education and outreach.
Socialization
Regardless of the type or severity of your child’s cerebral palsy, it is important to encourage positive social interaction. This will help children and adolescents with Cerebral palsy build self-confidence, resilience, and acceptance of their disability.
A child with dyskinetic cerebral palsy may have jerky movements in the arms, legs, and hands. They might also have uncontrolled facial expressions that can result in drooling or grimacing. They might have difficulty sitting or standing and may use wheelchairs for mobility.
Studies show that adolescents with CP can develop friendships with same-age peers in various settings, including school, work, and recreational activities.
