Hi,
The following Infomation was sent by 1 of our group members.
Cerebral palsy - causes and implications
Cerebral palsy describes a range of disabilities associated with
movement and posture. 'Cerebral' refers to the brain and 'palsy' means
weakness or lack of muscle control. Although cerebral palsy is a
permanent condition, a child with this condition can achieve greater
control over movement, as he or she learns and practices motor skills.
How cerebral palsy affects the body
Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways - some people
experience minor motor skill problems, while others may be totally
physically dependent.
Cerebral palsy distorts messages from the brain to cause increased
muscle tension (called hypertonus) or reduced muscle tension (called
hypotonus). Sometimes this tension fluctuates, becoming more or less
obvious. Messages from the brain may also be mistimed, sent to the
wrong muscle, or not sent at all. This affects the timing, quality and
synchronisation of messages, generally resulting in erratic movement
of the muscles. Only the message path between the brain and muscles is
affected, not the muscles themselves. Cerebral palsy can be
catagorised into four main areas, according to the parts of the body
it affects:
Quadriplegia - all four limbs are affected and the muscles of the face
and mouth may also be affected.
Diplegia - all four limbs are affected, but legs more so than arms.
Hemiplegia - one side of the body is affected.
Paraplegia - both legs, but neither of the arms, are affected.
Types of cerebral palsy
There are four main types of cerebral palsy:
Spastic cerebral palsy - this is the most common type of cerebral
palsy. Spasticity means stiffness or tightness of muscles, which is
most obvious when the person tries to move.
Athetoid cerebral palsy - athetosis means uncontrolled movements,
which often lead to erratic movements.
Ataxic cerebral palsy - this is the least common type of cerebral
palsy. Ataxia means a lack of balance and coordination. It often
presents as unsteady, shaky movements called tremors.
Mixed type cerebral palsy - may involve a combination of types of
cerebral palsy.
Other disabilities sometimes occur with cerebral palsy - hearing,
sight or speech disorders, epilepsy or an intellectual disability.
However, just because a person has cerebral palsy, it does not mean
they will have other disabilities.
Causes of cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is not a disease, it is a condition. Cerebral palsy is
not contagious. It is also not hereditary. It is usually the result of
changes in, or injury to, the developing brain before or during birth,
or sometimes in early childhood. The precise nature of the injury is
not known. It is usually the result of a diminished blood supply and
lack of oxygen to areas of the brain, causing damage to brain cells.
This type of brain damage may be caused by illnesses - such as rubella
during pregnancy, meningitis in young children, or accidental injury
to the brain.
Recent research indicates that extremely premature babies may also be
at risk. The incidence of cerebral palsy appears higher in multiple
births.
Signs in early childhood
These signs may indicate cerebral palsy:
Early feeding difficulties
Delayed development
Poor muscle control
Muscle spasms
Lack of coordination.
Although the damage to the brain will not worsen, the effect on the
body can become more obvious with age, and physical deformities can
develop. Early intervention and treatment can reduce the severity of
the effects of the disability.
Implications of cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy may affect a person's mobility, their ability to talk,
or their outward appearance. However, like most people, someone with
cerebral palsy also has abilities and goals in life that are much the
same as everybody else's.
Where speech is affected, the person with a disability will understand
what is said to them, but may find it difficult to respond. Practical
aids - such as communication boards and electronic devices that
provide written or spoken words - help to get a message across.
Many people with cerebral palsy are unable to walk or need assistance
to walk. Wheelchairs allow mobility; however, people can still be
restricted by inaccessibility to trams, buses, shops and services.
Cerebral palsy may also lead to reduced control of facial muscles,
which can result in uncontrolled facial expressions or drooling.
Many people with cerebral palsy can and do live independent lives in
the community, and most people with cerebral palsy have the potential
to participate in the same activities as others - in business,
education, recreation, marriage or raising children.
This information was found at
http://www.disability.vic.gov.au/dsonline/dsarticles.nsf/(Pages)/Cerebral_palsy_causes_and_implications?OpenDocumentHi,
The following Infomation was sent by 1 of our group members.
Cerebral palsy - causes and implications
Cerebral palsy describes a range of disabilities associated with
movement and posture. 'Cerebral' refers to the brain and 'palsy' means
weakness or lack of muscle control. Although cerebral palsy is a
permanent condition, a child with this condition can achieve greater
control over movement, as he or she learns and practices motor skills.
How cerebral palsy affects the body
Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways - some people
experience minor motor skill problems, while others may be totally
physically dependent.
Cerebral palsy distorts messages from the brain to cause increased
muscle tension (called hypertonus) or reduced muscle tension (called
hypotonus). Sometimes this tension fluctuates, becoming more or less
obvious. Messages from the brain may also be mistimed, sent to the
wrong muscle, or not sent at all. This affects the timing, quality and
synchronisation of messages, generally resulting in erratic movement
of the muscles. Only the message path between the brain and muscles is
affected, not the muscles themselves. Cerebral palsy can be
catagorised into four main areas, according to the parts of the body
it affects:
Quadriplegia - all four limbs are affected and the muscles of the face
and mouth may also be affected.
Diplegia - all four limbs are affected, but legs more so than arms.
Hemiplegia - one side of the body is affected.
Paraplegia - both legs, but neither of the arms, are affected.
Types of cerebral palsy
There are four main types of cerebral palsy:
Spastic cerebral palsy - this is the most common type of cerebral
palsy. Spasticity means stiffness or tightness of muscles, which is
most obvious when the person tries to move.
Athetoid cerebral palsy - athetosis means uncontrolled movements,
which often lead to erratic movements.
Ataxic cerebral palsy - this is the least common type of cerebral
palsy. Ataxia means a lack of balance and coordination. It often
presents as unsteady, shaky movements called tremors.
Mixed type cerebral palsy - may involve a combination of types of
cerebral palsy.
Other disabilities sometimes occur with cerebral palsy - hearing,
sight or speech disorders, epilepsy or an intellectual disability.
However, just because a person has cerebral palsy, it does not mean
they will have other disabilities.
Causes of cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is not a disease, it is a condition. Cerebral palsy is
not contagious. It is also not hereditary. It is usually the result of
changes in, or injury to, the developing brain before or during birth,
or sometimes in early childhood. The precise nature of the injury is
not known. It is usually the result of a diminished blood supply and
lack of oxygen to areas of the brain, causing damage to brain cells.
This type of brain damage may be caused by illnesses - such as rubella
during pregnancy, meningitis in young children, or accidental injury
to the brain.
Recent research indicates that extremely premature babies may also be
at risk. The incidence of cerebral palsy appears higher in multiple
births.
Signs in early childhood
These signs may indicate cerebral palsy:
Early feeding difficulties
Delayed development
Poor muscle control
Muscle spasms
Lack of coordination.
Although the damage to the brain will not worsen, the effect on the
body can become more obvious with age, and physical deformities can
develop. Early intervention and treatment can reduce the severity of
the effects of the disability.
Implications of cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy may affect a person's mobility, their ability to talk,
or their outward appearance. However, like most people, someone with
cerebral palsy also has abilities and goals in life that are much the
same as everybody else's.
Where speech is affected, the person with a disability will understand
what is said to them, but may find it difficult to respond. Practical
aids - such as communication boards and electronic devices that
provide written or spoken words - help to get a message across.
Many people with cerebral palsy are unable to walk or need assistance
to walk. Wheelchairs allow mobility; however, people can still be
restricted by inaccessibility to trams, buses, shops and services.
Cerebral palsy may also lead to reduced control of facial muscles,
which can result in uncontrolled facial expressions or drooling.
Many people with cerebral palsy can and do live independent lives in
the community, and most people with cerebral palsy have the potential
to participate in the same activities as others - in business,
education, recreation, marriage or raising children.
This information was found at
http://www.disability.vic.gov.au/dsonline/dsarticles.nsf/(Pages)/Cerebral_palsy_causes_and_implications?OpenDocumentHi,
The following Infomation was sent by 1 of our group members.
Cerebral palsy - causes and implications
Cerebral palsy describes a range of disabilities associated with
movement and posture. 'Cerebral' refers to the brain and 'palsy' means
weakness or lack of muscle control. Although cerebral palsy is a
permanent condition, a child with this condition can achieve greater
control over movement, as he or she learns and practices motor skills.
How cerebral palsy affects the body
Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways - some people
experience minor motor skill problems, while others may be totally
physically dependent.
Cerebral palsy distorts messages from the brain to cause increased
muscle tension (called hypertonus) or reduced muscle tension (called
hypotonus). Sometimes this tension fluctuates, becoming more or less
obvious. Messages from the brain may also be mistimed, sent to the
wrong muscle, or not sent at all. This affects the timing, quality and
synchronisation of messages, generally resulting in erratic movement
of the muscles. Only the message path between the brain and muscles is
affected, not the muscles themselves. Cerebral palsy can be
catagorised into four main areas, according to the parts of the body
it affects:
Quadriplegia - all four limbs are affected and the muscles of the face
and mouth may also be affected.
Diplegia - all four limbs are affected, but legs more so than arms.
Hemiplegia - one side of the body is affected.
Paraplegia - both legs, but neither of the arms, are affected.
Types of cerebral palsy
There are four main types of cerebral palsy:
Spastic cerebral palsy - this is the most common type of cerebral
palsy. Spasticity means stiffness or tightness of muscles, which is
most obvious when the person tries to move.
Athetoid cerebral palsy - athetosis means uncontrolled movements,
which often lead to erratic movements.
Ataxic cerebral palsy - this is the least common type of cerebral
palsy. Ataxia means a lack of balance and coordination. It often
presents as unsteady, shaky movements called tremors.
Mixed type cerebral palsy - may involve a combination of types of
cerebral palsy.
Other disabilities sometimes occur with cerebral palsy - hearing,
sight or speech disorders, epilepsy or an intellectual disability.
However, just because a person has cerebral palsy, it does not mean
they will have other disabilities.
Causes of cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is not a disease, it is a condition. Cerebral palsy is
not contagious. It is also not hereditary. It is usually the result of
changes in, or injury to, the developing brain before or during birth,
or sometimes in early childhood. The precise nature of the injury is
not known. It is usually the result of a diminished blood supply and
lack of oxygen to areas of the brain, causing damage to brain cells.
This type of brain damage may be caused by illnesses - such as rubella
during pregnancy, meningitis in young children, or accidental injury
to the brain.
Recent research indicates that extremely premature babies may also be
at risk. The incidence of cerebral palsy appears higher in multiple
births.
Signs in early childhood
These signs may indicate cerebral palsy:
Early feeding difficulties
Delayed development
Poor muscle control
Muscle spasms
Lack of coordination.
Although the damage to the brain will not worsen, the effect on the
body can become more obvious with age, and physical deformities can
develop. Early intervention and treatment can reduce the severity of
the effects of the disability.
Implications of cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy may affect a person's mobility, their ability to talk,
or their outward appearance. However, like most people, someone with
cerebral palsy also has abilities and goals in life that are much the
same as everybody else's.
Where speech is affected, the person with a disability will understand
what is said to them, but may find it difficult to respond. Practical
aids - such as communication boards and electronic devices that
provide written or spoken words - help to get a message across.
Many people with cerebral palsy are unable to walk or need assistance
to walk. Wheelchairs allow mobility; however, people can still be
restricted by inaccessibility to trams, buses, shops and services.
Cerebral palsy may also lead to reduced control of facial muscles,
which can result in uncontrolled facial expressions or drooling.
Many people with cerebral palsy can and do live independent lives in
the community, and most people with cerebral palsy have the potential
to participate in the same activities as others - in business,
education, recreation, marriage or raising children.
This information was found at
http://www.disability.vic.gov.au/dsonline/dsarticles.nsf/(Pages)/Cerebral_palsy_causes_and_implications?OpenDocument
