Cerebal Palsy Information, Low or High Muscle Tone
Cerebral palsy is a group of problems that affects body movement and posture. It is related to a brain injury or to problems with brain growth. It is one of the most common causes of lasting disability in children.
Cerebral palsy occurs in about 2 to 2.5 out of every 1,000 people. Cerebral means brain and palsy meaning a weakness or problem with movement or positioning of the body.
Cerebral palsy is caused by the areas of the brain that control movement and posture. These areas do not develop correctly or get damaged. Usually cerebral palsy symptoms appear before age 3. Babies can be born with cerebral palsy; or they can get it after they are born.
Symptoms of a baby with CP may be
- slow to roll over
- sit
- crawl
- smile
- walk
Because Cerebral Palsy can affect different parts of the brain a child can be affected in many different ways. A child with CP might not be able to walk, eat, talk, play, or speak the way other kids do. As the child grows his or her speech maybe be affected or they may not be able to speak at all.
There are 3 types of cerebral palsy.
- Spastic - most common. A child with CP can't relax his muscles or they may be stiff.
- Athetoid - Can't control muscles of body. Example: Arms and legs may move suddenly.
- Ataxic - Problems with balance and coordination.
Children most at risk are premature babies, and babies that need a ventilator for several weeks or longer. For most children with Cerebral Palsy, the problem occurred before birth. Children with CP usually have a combination of therapy involving physical, occupational, and speech therapy. These therapies will help them develop skills they may be lacking. Such as walking, sitting, swallowing or speaking.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but treatment can improve the lives of those who have it. Treatment may include medicine, braces, physical, occupational and speech therapy.
For more information on Cerebral Palsy, or CP please read:
- Teaching Motor Skills to Children With Cerebral Palsy:
A Guide for Parents And Professionals - Rolling Along: The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair
- Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Parents' Guide
- The Heart's Alphabet: Daring to Live with Cerebral Palsy
- My Perfect Son Has Cerebral Palsy: a A Mother's Guide of Helpful Hints
- Cerebral Palsy Resource Guide for Speech-Language Pathologists
- On Being Sarah
- Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Teambased Approach
- From Where I Sit: Making My Way With Cerebral Palsy
