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What Is Cerebral Palsy & Why Is it Important?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. Understanding cerebral palsy can help lead to better treatment of the disease and prevention of future cases (see Reference 1).

  1. Diagnosis

    • A delay in gross motor skills, like crawling and walking, may lead parents to take their child to the doctor. It is usually then that a doctor notices the early indicators leading to the diagnosis of CP (see Reference 1).

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of CP vary depending on the severity of the case. Some people with CP may only be slightly awkward; for example, they may have an unusual walking pattern and slow reaction time. People with severe CP may spend their entire life in a wheelchair and be unable to communicate with others (see Reference 1).

    Treatment

    • There is no cure for CP. Treatment varies from case to case and may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, Botox injections, and medication to control muscle spasms.

    Research

    • The goal of cerebral palsy research is to increase understanding and try to prevent future cases of the condition. Research is also being done in order to find more effective treatments for existing cases (see Reference 1).

    Statistics

    • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10,000 babies a year are born with CP. Two-thirds of those with CP are mentally challenged (See Reference 2).

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