Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that impair the ability of the brain to control movement and posture. "Cerebral" refers to the brain and "Palsy" refers to an inability to control the muscles related to movement. The severity of the condition is determined by the amount of damage to the central nervous system (part of the brain). Depending on the type and location of damage to the brain, a child may have additional problems such as mental retardation, seizures, or language, learning, vision, and hearing problems.

Children with CP are born with the disorder. Similar problems can result from head injury or stroke during the infant and toddler years. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the better chance the child has of reaching their greatest potential. The condition is not contagious, hereditary, or progressive. Cerebral Palsy does not get better or worse with time. For most patients, whatever their challenges are as a child will remain with them throughout their adult life.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the condition vary from mild to severe. Mild symptoms might include speech impairment, fine motor coordination problems, or mildly awkward movement. More severe symptoms include inability to walk, speak, or control their own movements. Often in severe cases, other medical problems occur in conjunction with the CP.

There are four types of CP.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy
This is the most common type of CP, affecting over 70% of the CP population. Muscles are stiffly and permanently contracted (shortened) and may be seen in one or multiple limbs.
Athetoid or Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
Affecting 10% - 20% of patients, this is seen as abnormal, uncontrolled movement of the limbs, head or face. This sometimes looks like slow, writhing movements or facial grimacing or drooling. These movements often increase with stress and decrease during sleep.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
This unusual type of CP affects only five to ten percent of those diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. These patients have difficulty with balance, walking, and precise movements in either gross or fine motor skills. In addition, they may have an "intention tremor." This type of tremor occurs when they are trying to make a specific or "intentional" movement, such as picking up a newspaper. As they reach for the object, their hand may begin trembling and the closer they get to the item, the worse the trembling gets.
Mixed Forms
Quite often, patients will have more than one form of Cerebral Palsy, with a combination of Spasticity and Athetoid the most common.

Treatment

Although there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy, there are several different approaches to treatment and a patient may need to use more than one of these for the best results. Some options include: Behavior Therapy, Counseling, Mechanical Aids, Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy.

Support

Kidlink
Located in the Stark County Health Department
330-492-6900 or 800-390-1592
Fax: 330-493-6940
kidlink@starkhealth.org
This is a wonderful information, referral and resource center for children of all ages and their families. They can link you to all types of resources including the Help Me Grow Services http://www.ohiohelpmegrow.org/ for children from birth to 3.

STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: SPECIAL EDUCATION

{HYPER LINK: www.ode.state.oh.us}
Office for Exceptional Children
Ohio Department of Education
25 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-2650

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS

Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps
Ohio Department of Health
P.O. Box 1603
Columbus, OH 43216-1603
800-755-4769
Parents can call here to inquire about testing and treatment services for children with special needs.

Cerebral Palsy of Ohio
Beverly Johnson, Executive Director
4550 Indianola Ave
Columbus, OH 43214
(800) 796-8498; (in Columbus, 614-267-5071)
E-mail: cpo@iwaynet.net