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Cerebral Palsy

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect your ability to move and maintain balance and posture. Cerebral palsy happens when the areas of your brain that control movement and posture do not develop correctly or are damaged. This may occur while a fetus (unborn baby in the womb) to early childhood. Causes of cerebral palsy include:

• genetic defects or missing genes
• infections of the mother during pregnancy (such as German measles)
• damage to the fetus due to toxins or reduced blood flow
• head injury or brain infections after birth

Symptoms can include:

• being physically clumsy
• muscles that are too stiff or floppy
• disturbance in walking
• excessive drooling or problems swallowing or speaking
• shaking or other movements that can't be controlled
• problems with fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning a shirt

The symptoms of cerebral palsy differ from one person to the next. One person with cerebral palsy may be only slightly awkward and need no special assistance. Yet another may be unable to walk and will need a lot of care.

There is no cure for cerebral palsy. But treatment can help many children go on to live near-normal lives. Treatments include:

• medicines to relax tight muscles
• physical therapy to improve walking and stretch tight muscles
• speech therapy
• leg braces to improve posture and walking
• surgery to release tight muscles or lengthen muscles that are too short

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Cerebral Palsy: Hope Through Research - This fact sheet provides a definition of cerebral palsy, its different forms, causes, signs and treatments. The publication also provides a glossary of terms used in the publication itself.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/detail_cerebral_palsy.htm

2.   Developmental Disabilities - Developmental disabilities are a diverse group of severe chronic conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments. This page contains links to information from the CDC about different developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and more.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/

3.   Employees with Cerebral Palsy - This publication for employers contains basic information regarding questions that might be considered when determining accommodations for individuals with cerebral palsy. This article discusses the issues that can affect these individuals, offers suggestions for employers and also includes example accommodations as well as a list of resources for further information.

   http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/CP.html

4.   NINDS Cerebral Palsy Information Page - This on-line fact sheet about Cerebral Palsy discusses treatment, prognosis, and research. Cerebral palsy is an umbrella-like term used to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement that appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/cerebral_palsy.htm

5. General Information About Cerebral Palsy - This fact sheet explains the different forms of cerebral palsy, available treatment, special education needs, tips for parents and teachers, as well as additional resources.

   http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs2txt.htm

Organizations

1.   National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC
2.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
3. American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine
4. National Disability Sports Alliance
5. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, OSEP, ED
6. United Cerebral Palsy Associations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.