Cerebral Palsy is often abbreviated to CP and is not a disease or an illness, but is an injury to the brain.
It is a general description of an impairment that affects a persons movement.
The degree of impairment ranges from minimal in fact it may be barely noticeable, to extreme and dibilitating.
So how does Cerebral Palsy occur?
There are multiple reason for the onset of Cerebral Palsy. It may be because of blocked blood vessels, perhaps a complication in labour, premature birth, illness at or around birth, a birth injury or possible a genetic or inherited disorder.
It most commonly results in the the failure of a section of the brain to develop. This may be before birth, during, or in early childhood.
It may be possible to identify the cause of Cerebral Palsy, but not always.
There are three main types of Cerebral Palsy and each relates to different areas of the brain that sustained injury.
Those with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy usually have balance problems and may well suffer irregular speech and shaky hand movement.
Those with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy have lose of posture control and may also make unwanted movement.
Finally those who suffer with Spastic Cerebral Palsy may well have muscles that are weak and stiff which is particularly noticeable when pressure is applied. Movement control may well be affected.