Cerebral palsy is a developmental condition that refers to a group of disorders rather than a single entity. It affects a persons’ musculature, including movement and postural abilities. This condition is due to cerebral damage while the brain is still in the developmental stage, thus occurring in utero, during or shortly after birth. Brain damage that results in cerebral palsy can occur in several ways and plays a role in the extent of the condition. Therefore, each case will be different depending on the time frame and the type and duration of trauma. The most common affects seen are of movement and the control of muscle, tone, coordination, reflex, posture and balance. The visual, auditory, learning and speech systems can also be affected.
The different types of cerebral palsy are categorized based on the type of motor dysfunction. These …show more content…
The typical presentation is of stiff, rigid muscles that can be seen in the way they walk or move their arms. Many with this type of cerebral palsy will also have difficulty speaking. Dyskinetic palsy can be recognized by uncontrolled wriggling movements in association with loss of muscle tone in a quadriplegic fashion. This type of palsy is also usually associated with speech difficulties. Ataxic palsy is a rarer type of palsy that is marked by balance impairment and difficulties with depth perception. People with this form will usually have an uncoordinated and unbalanced wide-based gait to try and compensate. Loss of muscle tone and muscle tremors can also occur in this type of palsy. Combined palsy as the name implies is a combination of the different types described above. In addition to the common symptoms mentioned above, many people with cerebral palsy also have varying degrees of mental impairment, but according to the National Institute of Health, only 25% have severe forms. Seizures also are a common
The different types of cerebral palsy are categorized based on the type of motor dysfunction. These …show more content…
The typical presentation is of stiff, rigid muscles that can be seen in the way they walk or move their arms. Many with this type of cerebral palsy will also have difficulty speaking. Dyskinetic palsy can be recognized by uncontrolled wriggling movements in association with loss of muscle tone in a quadriplegic fashion. This type of palsy is also usually associated with speech difficulties. Ataxic palsy is a rarer type of palsy that is marked by balance impairment and difficulties with depth perception. People with this form will usually have an uncoordinated and unbalanced wide-based gait to try and compensate. Loss of muscle tone and muscle tremors can also occur in this type of palsy. Combined palsy as the name implies is a combination of the different types described above. In addition to the common symptoms mentioned above, many people with cerebral palsy also have varying degrees of mental impairment, but according to the National Institute of Health, only 25% have severe forms. Seizures also are a common