Each year, the month of March is dedicated to raising awareness about Cerebral Palsy (CP). The term “cerebral” refers to the brain, while “palsy” relates to difficulties with movement. It is the most common motor disability in childhood – a condition that affects 1 in 1000 children born world wide.
Cerebral Palsy is a neurological condition that impacts movement, posture, and muscle coordination. It’s caused by abnormal brain development or brain injury, often before or during birth or within the first few years of life.
Cerebral Palsy is a lifelong condition, but it is not progressive. This means that the brain injury does not get worse over time, though the challenges individuals face can change as they grow older. The severity of Cerebral Palsy varies, with some people experiencing minimal effects while others may require significant support for daily activities.
There are several motor types of Cerebral Palsy, each with its own characteristics. Individuals with Cerebral Palsy can be affected by one of these motor types or a combination of several. The most common types include:
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
This is the most common form of CP, affecting approximately 70% to 80% of people with the condition. It is marked by stiff and tight muscles, leading to difficulty with movement. People with spastic CP may experience jerky or stiff movements, making it challenging to walk or perform fine motor tasks.
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
This type involves uncontrollable movements, such as twisting or writhing, and can impact a person’s ability to sit, stand, or walk. These movements may fluctuate between being too slow and too fast, often causing difficulty with coordinated motor control.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Characterized by balance and coordination problems, ataxic CP often leads to unsteady movements, difficulty walking, and challenges with tasks that require fine motor skills. People with ataxic CP may have difficulty with tasks like writing or holding objects steadily.
Common Features of Cerebral Palsy
While each individual with CP will experience the condition in their own unique way, there are some common features and challenges that can present, including:
Motor Challenges:
Difficulty with mobility, muscle tone, and coordination is a hallmark of CP. Some individuals may have trouble walking, while others may use assistive devices like wheelchairs or walkers. Individuals with CP can often have difficulty with fine motor tasks as well, such as buttoning a shirt or holding a pencil.
Speech and Communication:
Some people with CP may experience speech difficulties due to muscle control issues, which can affect their ability to speak clearly. Speech therapy can help improve communication skills.
Learning Difficulties:
While intelligence is typically not affected by CP, some individuals may experience learning challenges or developmental delays.
Coexisting conditions:
Epilepsy, dysphagia (swallowing difficulties), vision or hearing impairments, and autism
Motor difficulty classifications
There are many different ways to describe the symptoms that a person with Cerebral Palsy experiences. A common classification that we often use to describe the individual’s motor function is the Gross Motor Functional Classification System. Please see a summarised explanation of the levels below:
How Physio and OT can help
Children with Cerebral Palsy can greatly benefit from Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy as these therapies play a crucial role in improving their overall function and quality of life. Physiotherapy helps children with CP develop strength, coordination, and mobility, enabling them to move more freely and independently. It also aids in preventing or managing physical challenges like muscle tightness or joint problems. Occupational Therapy focuses on helping children with CP perform daily tasks, such as dressing, feeding, or playing, by improving fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory processing. Both therapies work together to address the unique needs of each child, empowering them to reach their full potential and participate more fully in everyday activities, ultimately fostering greater independence and confidence.
Meet a CKH Little Legend – Lily
Lily is a super fun 4 year old girl with Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS level 1). Lily lives with her parents and older brother in Orange. She was diagnosed with CP when she was 18 months old after her parents noticed that she would use her left arm and leg a lot more than her right.
Since then, Lily has progressed significantly! She can now walk, run, jump and hop. She has started writing her name and is able to do most self care tasks by herself or with only a little help. She’s also started learning to ride a bike. Lily loves dancing, playing with her friends and older brother and all things princess related.
The team at CKH loves being able to help Lily and her family reach their goals! We look forward to continuing to see this little legend continue to kick goals!
