Cerebral Palsy

Review of cerebral palsy

• CP is a congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture.
• A neurological disorder caused by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while the child’s brain is under development.

review of Cerebral palsy

• Primarily affects body movement and muscle coordination.
• Having Cerebral Palsy does not define the person that has the condition

symptons of cerebral palsy

muscular Symptoms

• Difficulty with bodily movements, muscle rigidity, permanent shortening of muscle, problems with coordination, stiff muscles, overactive reflexes, involuntary movements, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, or paralysis of one side of the body

Developmental symptons

• Failure to thrive, learning disability, slow growth, or speech delay in a child

speech and other symptons

• Speech disorder or stuttering
• Constipation, difficulty swallowing, drooling, hearing loss, leaking of urine, limping, paralysis, physical deformity, scissor gait, seizures, spastic gait, teeth grinding, tremor, or difficulty raising the foot

Random fact: Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for a group of disorders. It is a condition that is permanent, but not unchanging.

Treatments for cerebral palsy

Self-care

• Physical exercise: Aerobic activity for 20-30 minutes 5 days a week improves cardiovascular health. If injured, pursuing an activity that avoids the injured muscle group or joint can help maintain physical function while recovering.

self-care

• Special education : An approach to education that focuses on addressing the unique needs of individual students.

therapies

• Occupational therapy improves daily living and work skills of patients. Stretching exercises can improve flexibility and improve physical function. Physical therapy restores muscle strength and function through exercise.

Medications

• Muscle relaxant : Reduces muscle tension and helps relieve muscle pain and discomfort.
• Common drugs: Baclofen and Tizanidine

Surgery

• Gastrostomy Surgical insertion of a tube through the abdomen and into the stomach. Used for feeding or drainage.

Walking Ability Among 8-Year-Old Children with Cerebral Palsy

Classroom accomidations

assistive technology

• The child might benefit from an enlarged keyboard or a voice activated computer program.
• For a younger child, a picture/word board might be appropriate.
• Children with CP should be included in as many class activities as deemed appropriate.

support groups

Support communities are a great place for new parents to get tips and advice from those who have already been through many of the early struggles of raising a child with cerebral palsy.

support groups

• Relieve stress and frustration
• Offer hope and an optimistic perspective
• Let families know that their struggles are not uncommon
• Find reassurance and understanding
• Provide a platform to share obstacles and achievements

some national support groups

• March of Dimes
• Cure CP
• Cerebral Palsy Foundation
• Reaching For The Stars

Cerebral palsy