Most people have heard of cerebral palsy, but many may not understand that it is a very broad disorder and can manifest in many different ways.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is considered a developmental disability. However, CP is not just one condition. Rather, CP is a group of disorders that affect the brain and nervous system and can cause both physical and mental impairments. CP tends to strike either before or during birth, or within the baby's first three years of life while the brain is developing. Often, CP results from an injury or infection in the womb or following birth or when the baby has a low oxygen supply. Further, there is an increased risk for CP in infants who have low birth weights or infants who experienced trauma during birth. 

Because there are many disorders that fall within the CP spectrum, there are many different ways that CP can manifest. For some individuals with CP, their whole bodies are affected by the disorder. Others may only experience problems on one side of their bodies. Although some people have cognitive impairments, there are others who have average or higher cognitive abilities.

The most common type of CP is spastic CP, which causes tight and constricted muscles. Spastic CP can affect some or all muscles, usually causing an individual to have limited use of the legs or an unsteady gait. Over 80 percent of people with CP have spastic CP. There is also spastic quadriplegic CP, which causes tight and constricted muscles in all four limbs. This may limit the use of both the arms and legs.

Additionally, CP can cause tremors, seizures, spasms, poor muscle tone and gastrointestinal distress. Those who are capable of walking may exhibit a "scissor walk," where their knees will cross as they walk, or a "toe walk," where their heels will not touch the floor when they walk. Speech impairments are also common because of a difficulty to control facial muscles and poor respiratory control.

While there is no cure for CP, there is a tremendous amount of support available for those affected by the condition. The most effective way to significantly improve a child's functioning is early intervention, consisting of physical, speech and occupational therapies. Likewise, adaptive equipment and assistive technology are now available. These supports can be life-changing by providing individuals who have speech issues with ways to communicate and those who cannot walk with the freedom to move. Also, there are now medications available that can help control spasms and seizures. 

With access to early intervention therapies and technology, individuals with CP have so much more potential than was once believed. Many can live independent lives, while some utilize caregivers and technology to lead full lives. Only 1 in 3 people with CP experience significant cognitive impairments. Today, the hundreds of thousands of people with CP are making valuable contributions to their communities and are living fulfilling and successful lives.

Source: The Durango Herald "Cerebral palsy can manifest in many ways" 8/11/10