Cerebral palsy (CP) is defined as, “a disability resulting from damage to the brain, leading to diverse challenges in cognitive and motor functions.”

But if you want a sense of what life with CP may look like, that definition might leave you with more questions than answers. How significant are these challenges? What do they look like in real life? Are these challenges treatable?

In truth, cerebral palsy is a highly individualized condition, and it presents differently for each person. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to these questions. However, in this article, we aim to provide information, context, and a brief overview of the condition, so you can navigate the world of cerebral palsy with greater clarity.

What is Cerebral Palsy? 

Cerebral palsy (CP) describes a group of disorders that affect a person’s mobility and balance. It’s caused by damage to the brain, usually during pregnancy or childbirth, but occasionally in early childhood. 

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood, affecting approximately 1 in every 345 children. In some cases, symptoms are evident soon after birth.   In many other cases, children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy in later infancy or toddlerhood, as symptoms become more apparent. 

‍Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

All types of cerebral palsy affect how a person moves, balances, and coordinates movements and posture. However, the severity of symptoms varies widely. Someone with cerebral palsy that is severe, for example, may be wheelchair-bound, while someone with mild cerebral palsy symptoms may walk independently with just a slight limp.

There are four types of cerebral palsy:

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Early Diagnosis Is Key

The signs of CP vary greatly because there are so many different  forms of cerebral palsy along with different levels of disability. 

The primary signs of cerebral palsy in infants are delays in reaching motor or movement-related milestones, like rolling over, sitting, or using a pincer grasp. Infants with cerebral palsy may be overly stiff or floppy, and they may not lift their heads properly. 

However — as anyone with several children will tell you — no two kids are alike. Each child develops at their own pace, and not meeting developmental milestones within the standard timeframe is not necessarily cause for alarm. 

If you’re concerned that your child is not meeting his/her developmental milestones or might have cerebral palsy, contact your doctor and share your concerns. Your doctor will evaluate your child’s symptoms and may refer you to a specialist to ensure an accurate diagnosis. 

Co-occurring Conditions

People who have cerebral palsy sometimes have other conditions as well. Here’s a list of some of those conditions commonly linked to CP.

• Seizure disorders: Approximately 41% of children with cerebral palsy have recurring seizures and are diagnosed with a condition called epilepsy (see our article on epilepsy here). Most cases of epilepsy can be effectively treated with medication.
• Oral motor dysfunction: Children with cerebral palsy often have problems with feeding, swallowing, and drooling. This is due to weakened motor control and difficulty controlling the muscles in their throat and mouth. Speech and occupational therapy can be instrumental in lessening these symptoms.
• Intellectual disabilities: About two-thirds of children with cerebral palsy have some kind of intellectual disability. Of those, about half have a mild disability, while half have a moderate to severe diagnosis.
• Speech impairment: More than half of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy struggle to control the muscles needed for speech, resulting in dysarthria (a speech disorder). Speech therapists can often help treat this disorder and help with effective communication.
• Visual impairment: Many children with cerebral palsy have a mild visual impairment, such as a lazy eye or an astigmatism. About 1 in 10 people with cerebral palsy suffer from severe visual impairments or blindness.

What Can Be Done to Help?

While there’s no known cure for cerebral palsy, proper treatment, therapy, and special cerebral palsy exercises can help manage its symptoms. 

Since cerebral palsy often affects multiple muscle groups at once, it’s important to work with a multidisciplinary team to develop a treatment plan. Interventions should begin as soon as the diagnosis is made – as early in a child’s life as possible. 

Early intervention has proven to make a huge difference, with children with CP who did aggressive therapy at an early age having a higher overall functioning.

Treatment can include any (or all) of the following:

• Medications: Medications can help relax stiff muscles and reduce unwanted movements. Seizure medications can also effectively treat epilepsy, a common co-occurring condition of cerebral palsy.
• Physical therapy: Physical therapists can develop an exercise regimen to improve muscle control, coordination, and strength.
• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists play a pivotal role in helping individuals with cerebral palsy achieve crucial life skills such as getting dressed, eating, and doing homework.
• Speech therapy: People with cerebral palsy often have difficulty communicating, and a speech therapist can work with them to improve their speech and oral motor control.
• Psychosocial interventions: Individuals with cerebral palsy may face intellectual and behavioral challenges, as well as attention deficits. It’s important to collaborate with mental health professionals and educators to support their social, emotional, and academic success.

With a robust plan of support, therapy, and services in place, people with CP can lead rich, fulfilling lives.