Cerebral palsy refers to a group of disorders that affect movement. It is a permanent, but not unchanging, physical disability caused by an injury to the developing brain, usually before birth. Cerebral palsy may only be mild and cause only a slight disruption to a person’s daily life. It can also be more severe, affecting the whole body and may significantly impact how a person participates in daily activities. There are three predominant types of cerebral palsy and each are characterised by different movement patterns. Movements can be uncontrolled or unpredictable, muscles can be stiff or tight and in some cases people have shaky movements or tremors. In addition to their motor disability, people with cerebral palsy may have other associated impairments including epilepsy, and disorders of speech, vision, hearing and /or intellect. (Cerebral Palsy Alliance definition)
Links:
• Cerebral Palsy Alliance: www.cerebralpalsy.org.au
• Cerebral Palsy Australia: www.cerebralpalsyaustralia.com
