Neurological Disorders: Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder, caused by brain damage, which affects body movement and muscle coordination. “The brain damage is caused by brain injury or abnormal development of the brain that occurs while a child’s brain is still developing — before birth, during birth, or immediately after birth” (MyChild, 2016). No two cases of cerebral palsy are alike. Cerebral palsy is life altering and those diagnosed with this chronic disease have to learn to adapt in every different aspect of life. There are several different causes of cerebral palsy, however “the majority of children with cerebral palsy are born with it” (NINDS, 2016). “The early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before a child reaches 3 years of age” and these …show more content…
These cells “are a type of supportive brain cells that wrap around neurons to form the myelin sheath, which is essential for white matter development” (Rogers & Wong, 2012). “Intrauterine infections activate fetal immune system, which produces cytokines” (Rogers & Wong, 2012). Cytokines are lethal to premyelinating oligodendrocytes. “Infections also activate microglial cells, which release free radicals”, and “premyelinating oligodendrocytes have immature defenses against these reactive oxygen species” (Rogers & Wong, 2012).
In summary, cerebral palsy is a disease caused by damage to the white matter in the brain and this damage can be caused by a number of different processes. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disease; however CP affects more than just the neurological …show more content…
This serves as a great educational handout as it is appropriate for those on a 3rd grade reading level, per its SMOG score (Readability Formulas). This ensures that it is an appropriate source for the majority of the target audience and uses language familiar to those at that educational level. This handout includes detailed signs and symptoms of CP, help available for those with CP, and tips for parents and