This page is an introductory guide to cerebral palsy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We offer support for disabled people all over the UK<\/a>. Many of the people we support have cerebral palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find out what kind of support we could give you or your loved one with complex disabilities, speak to one of our friendly team.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n Cerebral palsy is a name for a group of conditions that are caused by damage to the brain, usually affecting movement. It is experienced differently by every person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On this page, you\u2019ll find some answers to common questions about cerebral palsy, and links to further information and support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On this page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for a group of conditions or disorders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCerebral\u201d means \u201cof the brain\u201d, while \u201cpalsy\u201d means \u201cparalysis\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People with cerebral palsy often have trouble with movement, balance and posture. This could mean difficulty walking, using their arms or speaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is because their brains struggle to send messages to their muscles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The exact muscles and movements that are affected vary from person to person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people with cerebral palsy are born with it. This is known as \u201ccongenital cerebral palsy\u201d. Some people develop it in early childhood. This is known as \u201cacquired cerebral palsy\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the most common types of cerebral palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with spastic cerebral palsy have stiff, tight muscles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can mean that their movements are jerky. It can also cause painful muscle spasms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might hear some of these terms to describe cerebral palsy based on which limbs are affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ataxic cerebral palsy affects a person\u2019s sense of balance and spatial awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with this type of cerebral palsy often struggle with their coordination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of cerebral palsy causes involuntary contractions in the muscles. People with this type of cerebral palsy make movements (and sometimes sounds) that they can\u2019t control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is sometimes called \u201cathetoid cerebral palsy\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people have a mixture of spastic, ataxic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a wide range of symptoms of cerebral palsy, which can show up differently in every person who has it. No two people with cerebral palsy are the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people with cerebral palsy have some problems with movement and coordination<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their muscles might be either too stiff or too weak, and they may have trouble controlling their movements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People with cerebral palsy may also have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes cerebral palsy is diagnosed at birth, but sometimes it isn\u2019t diagnosed until later. This is because a child\u2019s symptoms might not be visible until they are a little older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are some early signs of cerebral palsy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are lots of different potential signs of cerebral palsy. Some people might be only mildly affected, while others will need more support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re concerned about your child, it\u2019s best to speak to your GP or health visitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain that happens before, during or right after birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Babies whose brain development is affected in the womb may be born with cerebral palsy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some possible causes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The exact reason why a baby developed cerebral palsy in the womb is often not known. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cerebral palsy is sometimes caused as the result of a difficult birth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This usually happens when the brain is temporarily deprived of oxygen. This could be a result of problems with the umbilical cord or placenta, for example. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cerebral palsy can also be acquired after birth. This could be as a result of a traumatic brain injury, meningitis or near-miss drowning causing brain damage in the child\u2019s early stages of development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Often the exact cause of cerebral palsy is not known. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases, cerebral palsy is caused by developmental problems or damage to the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research has shown that in some cases, there might be underlying genetic factors that make people more likely to develop cerebral palsy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research is still being carried out to determine if there is a genetic factor to cerebral palsy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cerebral palsy is not progressive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that the original problem with the brain does not get worse through a person\u2019s life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But people with cerebral palsy might experience different symptoms over time. This is because of the strain placed on their bodies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if you have muscle stiffness, this might put extra pressure on your joints, causing joint pain as you get older. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When a baby has a health problem that puts them at higher risk of cerebral palsy, they are monitored by doctors for signs of the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy by looking for developmental delays and other symptoms of cerebral palsy. They might also order some tests, like blood tests or MRI scans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have any concerns about your child, the best place to start is speaking to your health visitor or GP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cerebral palsy is often diagnosed soon after birth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes it takes a bit longer, especially when the symptoms are milder. In these cases, doctors might not diagnose a child until they are a few years old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no cure for cerebral palsy, but there are lots of ways to support people with the condition so that they can live more comfortably and independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cerebral palsy treatment can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every person with cerebral palsy is different, and so treatment looks different for everyone. Speak to your doctor about what\u2019s best for you or your child. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No. Cerebral palsy is not a learning disability in itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, some people with cerebral palsy also have learning disabilities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find out more about Sense services, you can contact Sense\u2019s Information and advice service.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think your child might have cerebral palsy, speak to your GP, a health visitor (for children under five), or any other healthcare professional your child sees. Alternatively, you could speak to special educational needs (SENCO) staff at your child\u2019s school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting diagnosed can help your child get any extra support they might need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also find out about the support system in England for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND),<\/a> and the different systems in Wales<\/a>, Northern Ireland<\/a> and Scotland<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also get information and advice from the disability charity Scope<\/a>, which was founded with the aim of expanding services for people with cerebral palsy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To find out about benefits, grants and other financial support you might be entitled to, including help with energy, food, travel and leisure costs, please visit our Benefits and money section<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re here for people with complex disabilities and their families all over the UK. Get in touch to find out more about the services we offer.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n
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What is cerebral palsy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTypes of cerebral palsy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Spastic cerebral palsy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Different terms for cerebral palsy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ataxic cerebral palsy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dyskinetic cerebral palsy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mixed cerebral palsy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCerebral palsy symptoms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Signs of cerebral palsy in babies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nCauses of cerebral palsy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What causes cerebral palsy during pregnancy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What causes cerebral palsy during or after birth?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is cerebral palsy genetic?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Does cerebral palsy get worse?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow is cerebral palsy diagnosed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When is cerebral palsy diagnosed?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow is cerebral palsy treated?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Is cerebral palsy a learning disability?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nGetting support<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Support from Sense<\/h2>\n\n\n\n