Cerebral palsy is a general term for a physical condition affecting movement as a result of damage to the developing brain.
Cerebral palsy affects around 1 in 400 children born in the UK. Survival rates of premature babies and those who experience birth complications being much higher, the incidence of more severe cerebral palsy has increased significantly in recent decades.
There are three broad categories of cerebral palsy:
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Characterised in terms of rigid and weak muscles which make controlled movement difficult.
- Athetoid Cerebral Palsy
Characterised in terms of involuntary movements which disrupt controlled movement and posture.
- Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Characterised in terms of poor balance, wobbly hand movements and speech impairment.
Cerebral palsy can be mild in its manifestation or severe. There is no direct correlation between severity of cerebral palsy and degree or incidence of learning disability. Many individuals with very severe cerebral palsy are of average or better than average intellect.
Around a third of children with cerebral palsy are also affected by epilepsy.
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- SCOPE
Scope are a large charity focused on Cerebral Palsy and in the UK should be considered the 'first stop' for advice and support. They maintain an excellent website which provides information about the condition and full details of the many services they offer.
- Foundation for Conductive Education
Conductive Education is educational therapy designed to help address the movement difficulties associated with CP. This site provides more information and details of centres in the UK.
- United Cerebral Palsy
A US nation-wide network of organisations concerned with inclusion of individuals with Cerebral Palsy. The website hosts information and discussion with a US flavour.
- HemiHelp
HemiHelp was formed by a group of parents in 1990 to offer information and support to children and young people with hemiplegia.
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