Cerebral Palsy

If the part of the brain responsible for the control of body movement, co-ordination and muscle tone is harmed during pregnancy or shortly after birth, it may result in the child developing Cerebral Palsy.  The name Cerebral Palsy comes from:  Cerebral meaning ‘of the brain’ and palsy which means ‘paralysis'.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. Signs and symptoms vary between people. Often, symptoms include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. There may be problems with sensation, vision & hearing, swallowing, and speaking.

Often babies with cerebral palsy do not roll over, sit, crawl, or walk as early as other children their age. Difficulty with the ability to think or reason and seizures each occurs in about one third of people with CP. While the symptoms may get more noticeable over the first few years of life, the underlying problems do not worsen over time

What causes Cerebral palsy?  Cerebral Palsy is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture - most often the problems occur during pregnancy; however, they may also occur during childbirth, or shortly after birth.

Different types of cerebral palsy. 

Spastic Cerebral Palsy: This is the most common form of cerebral palsy which appears in around 75% of cases.  The most notable symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy are rigid limbs: The degree of rigidity will vary from case to case ranging from mild, to moderate to more severe restriction in control and movements.  People with Cerebral Palsy may have learning disabilities in about a third of cases.  Spastic cerebral palsy can also be sub-divided by the extent to which the body is affected:

• Hemiplegia means that both the arms and legs of one side only are affected.
• Diplegia means that both legs are affected however arms are not necessarily affected or only mildly.
• Quadraplegia means that legs and arms are affected and may be in varying levels

Athetoid cerebral palsy:  This condition also known as dyskinetic cerebral palsy or dystonic cerebral palsy and present in around 20% of cases.  The most notable symptoms are unintended movements, wriggle and writhe.  Sufferers of this type of CP have good intelligence and understanding.

Ataxic cerebral palsy.  This is the least common type of cerebral palsy with approximately 5% of overall cases.  Children and young people suffering from ataxic cerebral palsy have less obvious symptoms than the other two. Symptoms include difficulty with balance, spatial awareness and have shaky and unsteady movement 

Common conditions associated with cerebral palsy:  No two children or adults with cerebral palsy have identical conditions, but below is a sample of the most common symptoms of the condition.

• Speech Problems
• Learning Difficulty
• Epilepsy
• Incontinence
• Spatial Awareness
• Hearing Problems
• Behavioural Problems
• Sleep Problems
• Difficulty Feeding
• Drooling

Is there a cure for Cerebral Palsy?  There is no cure for cerebral palsy; however there are a number of supportive treatments such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy.  Other treatments may include medication and surgery.

Help and support for children and young people with Cerebral Palsy.  Stockport has a number of Health and Education services that support children and young people with cerebral palsy.  These include:  (Click the links below for more infroamtion about these services)

• Physiotherapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Special Educational Needs
• Children’s Equipment and Adaptation Service
• Footsteps Clinic
• Short breaks team
• Child Development Unit: CDU

How can my child access these services?  If your child has cerebral palsy they will need help and support from some or all of the above specialist services.  A referral is made to these services by completing the CAF form.  The CAF form is completed by a GP, School, health visitor or any professional who is familiar with the needs of your child.  Details of where the CAF is to be sent to are on the last page of this form.