History of Cerebral Palsy | Types of Cerebral Palsy | Causes of Cerebral Palsy | Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy
Is there a Cure? | Similar Conditions

Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development; before, during, or shortly after birth; or during infancy. Thus, these disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. Instead, faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain disrupt the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture.

"Cerebral" refers to the brain and "palsy" to muscle weakness/poor control. Cerebral palsy itself is not progressive (i.e. brain damage does not get worse); however, secondary conditions, such as muscle spasticity, can develop which may get better over time, get worse, or remain the same. Cerebral palsy is not communicable. It is not a disease and should not be referred to as such. Although cerebral palsy is not "curable" in the accepted sense, training and therapy can help improve function.

Cerebral Palsy can be caused by injury during birth, although sometimes it is the result of damage done while the baby is still in the womb or later damage shortly after birth. Symptoms usually appear in the first few years of life and once they appear, they generally do not worsen over time.

Types of Cerebral Palsy:

• Spastic Cerebral Palsy or Spastic Diplegia (difficult or stiff movement)
• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy (loss of depth perception and balance)
• Athetoid/Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy (uncontrolled or involuntary movements)
• Mixed Cerebral Palsy (a mix of two or more of the above)
• Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy
• Mild Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy Symptoms:

• Chronic Symptoms
• Hemiplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Adult Symptoms
• Child Symptoms
• Infant Symptoms