CEREBRAL PALSY (CP)

CEREBRAL PALSY (CP)

1. is a group of disorders associated with developmental brain injuries that occur during fetal development, birth, or shortly after birth. It is characterized by a disruption of motor skills, with symptoms such as spasticity, paralysis, or seizures. It is no longer considered a disease, but rather it is a chronic non-progressive neurological disorder.

2. The prevalence (how often it happens) is about 1.5 to 4 per 1000 live births. There is no cure, but therapy may be helpful.

3. The disorder is marked by several important signs. All persons with cerebral palsy developed it while the brain was under development. This limits the age at which the disorder can develop to at most 5 years old, however 80% of all cases occur before the baby reaches 1 month old. Secondly, it is a non-progressive disorder, that is, once the damage to the brain is done no additional damage occurs. Cerebral palsy never worsens, though its symptoms may change with time. The disorder also never improves. It is a permanent disability which stays with a person their entire life. Any temporary problems would suggest a disorder other than cerebral palsy, which is why a reliable diagnosis of it can't occur until the child is four or five years old. Additionally, the disorder is characterized by disruption of the motor skills of the person. The severity in the loss of motor skills varies greatly from case to case. Lastly, even though there is a loss of motor skills, the muscles themselves are no

4. Supporting persons with CP is not difficult – in most cases. Since every person with CP is different, it is not possible to say exactly what the needs are. However, we should focus on assisting them to move, communicate, write, take part in sport in as normal a way as possible. Assistive devices can be a great help. Teachers should understand CP and know how to teach a child with CP in class.