What is Cerebral Palsy?

 

 

What is the definition of cerebral palsy? Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movements and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development or infancy. It also can occur before, during or shortly following birth.

"Cerebral" refers to the brain and "Palsy" to a disorder of movement or posture.  If someone has cerebral palsy it means that because of an injury to their brain (cerebral) they are not able to use some of the muscles in their body in the normal way (palsy). Children with cerebral palsy may not be able to walk, talk, eat or play in the same ways as most other children.

Cerebral palsy is neither progressive nor communicable. It is also not "curable" in the accepted sense, although education, therapy and applied technology can help persons with cerebral palsy lead productive lives. It is important to know that cerebral palsy is not a disease or illness. It isn't contagious and it doesn't get worse. Children who have cerebral palsy will have it all their lives.

Cerebral palsy is characterized by an inability to fully control motor function, particularly muscle control and coordination. Depending on which areas of the brain have been damaged, people with cerebral palsy may experience one or more of the following:

• Nuscle tightness or spasm
• Involuntary movement
• Disturbance in gait and mobility
• Abnormal sensation and perception
• Impairment of sight, hearing or speech
• Seizures

The Family Center on Technology and Disability

Webpage that contains a list of 47 resources about Muscular Dystrophy.



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Emma speaks about cerebral palsy (CP)

MD and Assistive technology

Assistive technology enables children with neuromuscular disorders to maintain some measure of mobility and independence at school. One example of an assistive device is the use of a wheelchair. Many children use a manual wheelchair when walking is no longer efficient, and as the disease progresses a motorized wheelchair may be required. Computer technology is another example of an assistive device frequently used in the school environment. Computer technology may enable children to engage and keep up with their schoolwork. For example, a laptop or mini keyboard may be more easily accessed, or an alternative input device may be used instead of a standard keyboard. Examples of alternative input devices include voice-activated word processors for writing and dictation, word processors with scanning devices, word processors with word choices or a word recognition program that allows you to pick up a word from a list based on the first few letters instead of typing the whole word, and onscreen keyboards. There are various kinds of switches that permit access to the screen without using a keyboard. Examples of commonly used switches include switches for those with arm, elbow, foot, or knee control, head or chin pointers, buttons switches of differing sensitivities, sound-activated switches, pillow-switches (activated by facial movement), sip-and-puff switches (controlled by voluntary inhaling and exhaling), and eyeglass switches (activated by purposeful eye movement). Also, for those with coordination difficulties, a joystick, touch pad, or fingertip controls may be used rather than a track ball or mouse. Basically, users can operate a variety of communication devices and software with virtually any aspect of their body and with any body movement. Modified keyboards may also help students decrease typing errors and increase productivity. Examples of modified keyboards include larger keys or permanent large-print key labels, and overlays (plastic fit over the regular keyboard with holes punched out so that each standard key can be pressed if chosen intentionally).

Living WIth My Cerebral Palsy.

TheraSuit Therapy for Cerebral Palsy - Case 1

Cerebral Palsy Ability Center

Cerebral Palsy Touchscreen Therapy Demo

Assistive Technology Eye Tracking Mouse for ALS, CP, MD and Disabled

Controls Computer with Eye Movement

Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Walker.m4v

An active walker prototype for cerebral palsy children

A Life with FSH MD

Three People's Stories of Living with FSH MD

FSH MD - Defined

FSH MD Informative Video

Animation about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

BrainPOP Video

"Living with Muscular Dystrophy" by Bryan Arnold

Bryan's Story

Young student using IntelliKeys USB

Mackenzie Kench is an Inspiration

What is Cerebral Palsy

Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular Dystrophy


The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of more than 30 genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement. Some forms of MD are seen in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear until middle age or later. The disorders differ in terms of the distribution and extent of muscle weakness (some forms of MD also affect cardiac muscle), age of onset, rate of progression, and pattern of inheritance.

Duchenne MD is the most common form of MD and primarily affects boys. It is caused by the absence of dystrophin, a protein involved in maintaining the integrity of muscle. Onset is between 3 and 5 years and the disorder progresses rapidly. Most boys are unable to walk by age 12, and later need a respirator to breathe. Girls in these families have a 50 percent chance of inheriting and passing the defective gene to their children. Boys with Becker MD (very similar to but less severe than Duchenne MD) have faulty or not enough dystrophin.

Facioscapulohumeral MD usually begins in the teenage years. It causes progressive weakness in muscles of the face, arms, legs, and around the shoulders and chest. It progresses slowly and can vary in symptoms from mild to disabling.
Myotonic MD is the disorder's most common adult form and is typified by prolonged muscle spasms, cataracts, cardiac abnormalities, and endocrine disturbances. Individuals with myotonic MD have long, thin faces, drooping eyelids, and a swan-like neck.