CP FAQ #1 - What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a name for a group of disorders affecting muscle control. About 80% of people with cerebral palsy are born with the disorder. People with cerebral palsy have brain damage that prevents the brain from sending signals to other parts of the body responsible for movement, like muscles and the spinal cord. Sometimes cerebral palsy is accompanied by a diminished or increased level of mental ability. Since muscles help us move anything in our body, cerebral palsy can affect a person's ability to eat, walk, talk or make facial movements.

CP FAQ #2 - Does Cerebral Palsy Get Worse?

Cerebral palsy is not a progressive disorder. Symptoms of cerebral palsy remain the same throughout a person's lifetime. If a person is afflicted with severe cerebral palsy sometimes they get worse over time from the accumulated stress of the disorder on their body.

CP FAQ #3 - How is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?

Cerebral palsy is diagnosed when a child fails to meet developmental milestones. A parent or caregiver is usually first to suspect developmental delays. Doctors run a series of tests to see what developmental problems a child is experiencing. If certain delays match those generally recognized in cerebral palsy children, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy is made.

CP FAQ #4 - What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

Brain damage is the cause of Cerebral Palsy. The brain damage can occur before, during, or after birth. Brain damage caused while the fetus is still in the womb could occur from an infection the mother sustained while pregnant, abuse of alcohol or drugs, poor nutrition or any number of other factors. After birth, brain damage causing cerebral palsy could occur from child abuse, pre-mature birth, viral infection or head injury.

CP FAQ #4 - Is Cerebral Palsy Contagious?

No, cerebral palsy is not contagious. Cerebral palsy is a disorder, not a disease and cannot be passed from one person to another. Close proximity to a person with cerebral palsy is not harmful. There is no need to be cautious or fearful of people with cerebral palsy.

CP FAQ #5 - Can Cerebral Palsy Be Cured?

Right now, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is not curable because the brain damage which caused it is not curable. Research continues to try and find ways to reverse brain damage, but no true progress has been made. The best that can be done is to try to lessen the symptoms of cerebral palsy.

CP FAQ #6 - What are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

Most people with cerebral palsy have very stiff muscles that impede their movement. Symptoms can be very mild to very severe. Each person with cerebral palsy has different symptoms to a different degree. Some people move about easily while others are almost totally immobile. People with cerebral palsy have a hard time doing anything requiring muscular control. Walking, talking, eating, or reaching for objects can be difficult. Sometimes people with cerebral palsy can't control their movements. The symptoms a person with cerebral palsy has depends on the type and severity of their disorder.

CP FAQ #7 - How Many People Have Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy statistics show almost half a million people are affected with cerebral palsy in the United States. Each year about 5,000 new cases of cerebral palsy are diagnosed.

CP FAQ #8 - Can People with Cerebral Palsy Go to School?

It depends on how severely a person is affected by cerebral palsy, however, remember education for the cerebral palsy child is important. Most children with cerebral palsy go to school. Many are enrolled in public schools and participate in classes with non-disabled children. Some children with cerebral palsy go to special schools that only teach kids with disabilities. Sometimes kids with cerebral palsy have learning disabilities, are mentally retarded or are extraordinarily smart.

CP FAQ #9 - Are There Different Types of Cerebral Palsy?

There are 4 types of cerebral palsy. Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common. Spastic cerebral palsy is characterized by stiff muscles and jerky movement. Athetoid cerebral palsy makes a person have involuntary, uncontrolled movements. Ataxic cerebral palsy mainly affects balance and a person's sense of perception. Mixed cerebral palsy is a mixture of 1 or more types.

CP FAQ #10 - Can Cerebral Palsy Be Treated?

The symptoms of cerebral palsy can be managed by various types of cerebral palsy therapy. Even though cerebral palsy can't be cured, many steps can be taken to help increase quality of life.
Drugs and surgery help release muscle tenseness. Assistive technology makes it easier for people with cerebral palsy to move around. Occupational therapy is useful in helping people with cerebral palsy to learn how to care for themselves as much as possible.