ADHD  ||  Aspergers  ||  Autism  ||  Cerebral Palsy  ||  Down Syndrome

There are three types of cerebral palsy, depending on which part of the brain is affected - Spastic, Athetoid and Ataxic.

Many people with cerebral palsy have a combination of two or more types.

Spastic cerebral palsy

In this type of cerebral palsy the muscles are stiff and this tightness results in difficulty moving. This is the most common form of cerebral palsy. Spasticity may affect part of the body or the whole body.

Athetoid cerebral palsy

People with athetoid cerebral palsy have involuntary movements, because their muscles quickly change from being tight to suddenly going floppy. Their speech can be hard to understand because they have difficulty controlling the muscles that we use for speaking. Hearing problems are also common. Athetosis affects the whole body.

Ataxic cerebral palsy

People with ataxic cerebral palsy have great difficulty in balance. They may have difficulty judging their position in relation to their surroundings. Ataxia affects the whole body. Most people with ataxic cerebral palsy can walk but they are unsteady. They may also have shaky hand movements and jerky speech.

Cerebral palsy is not progressive, it does not become more severe as the child gets older, although some difficulties may become more noticeable as the child grows. There is no cure for cerebral palsy at the present time.

Some people with cerebral palsy may have only mild problems, such as difficulties with fine motor activities, such as writing, and problems keeping balance when walking. Others may have more severe difficulties such not being able to sit or control head, or uncontrolled movements in the body.

People with cerebral palsy may have other difficulties or medical conditions, together with their movement problems. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that just because a person has cerebral palsy it does not mean that they will also have these difficulties.

Some people with cerebral palsy have convulsions or epilepsy. This can usually be helped with correct medicine.

Some people with cerebral palsy may have learning difficulties, which means they learn more slowly. These learning difficulties range from mild to severe. The person may have a 'specific learning difficulty', that is, a problem with a particular activity such as reading, drawing or arithmetic, because the part of the brain controlling these skills is also affected. However, it is important to remember that even someone who has severe physical problems may have average or above average intelligence.

Cerebral palsy may result in problems with speech which are sometimes associated with difficulties in eating and swallowing.

Cerebral palsy may result in impaired vision or hearing.

Early signs & diagnosis :

It is important for parents to take action as soon as their child is diagnosed as having a movement problem, which is often the first sign of cerebral palsy.

If children are positioned well from an early age and encouraged to play in a way that helps them to improve their posture and muscle control, they can be helped to develop more control over their movement and as independent as possible.

Correct physiotherapy, which helps the child to move and balance should begin as soon as possible.

A teacher trained to teach children with special needs can advise parents how to stimulate their children and help them to learn and communicate if they have speech difficulties.

Make sure he or she is included in all the activities that the family does together.

Many children with cerebral palsy can manage in mainstream schools, with teacher support. A nursery school will help social and learning development.

ADHD  ||  Aspergers  ||  Autism  ||  Cerebral Palsy  ||  Down Syndrome