"Cerebral Palsy is a term used to describe a range of developmental motor disorders arising from a nonprogressive lesion or disorder of the brain. Associated brain damage is characterized by paralysis, spasticity, or abnormal control of movement or posture." (Solomon, 2011) The most common type of Cerebral Palsy is Spastic Cerebral Palsy. This type of Cerebral Palsy involves limited movement of the limbs, therefore causing an individual to have a difficult time with their everyday activities. There are a few different types of Spastic Cerebral Palsy- Spastic diplegia (involves lower extremities more than upper.), spastic hemiplegia (involves only one side of the body) and spastic quadriplegia (all four extremities are involved). All of these types affect a different variation of limbs involved with their limited movement. “Spasticity refers to increased tone, or tension, in a muscle.” (www.stlouischildrens.org) In children with Cerebral Palsy, because of the damage to the area of the brain controlling their muscle tone, they have the decreased ability to control their voluntary movement patterns.
Symptoms
Some Secondary Complications include:
Neurological based symptoms may include:
- Increased drooling
- Slower than normal growth
- Scoliosis -which is an abnormal curve of the spine to the left or right- (as seen in picture)
- Poor nutrition
- Joint Contractures- "joints are tight and do not open up all the way"
Neurological based symptoms may include:
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Behavioral Disorders
- Seizure Disorders- (which can involve shaking uncontrollably, fainting, and/or loosing consciousness)
- Visual Impairment
- Hearing Loss
- Speech Impairment
- Abnormal sensation and perception