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How common is it?

• Each year 8,000 infants and nearly 1,500 preschoolers are diagnosed with CP.

• About 500,000 people in the United States have some form of CP, making this a very common condition.

What are some characteristics of children with cerebral palsy?

• Children may have mild, moderate, or severe CP.

  • Children with mild CP may appear to be a little clumsy and have specific difficulties with arm or leg muscle control.

  • Children with moderate CP may need adaptive equipment such as leg braces, and may walk with a limp or on their toes.

  • Children with severe CP may need a wheelchair or walker to get around.

• There are different types of CP.

  • Children with spastic CP, the most common form, have too much muscle tone or tightness. Their legs may come together, for example, when they are picked up, in a manner that is referred to as scissoring. They may walk on their toes or in a crouch.

  • Children with dystonic CP have difficulty controlling their movements; this causes unusual postures or twisting of their arms or legs that make it hard for them to use their hands or to walk.

  • Children with mixed CP have muscles that may be spastic, dystonic, or both. These children may have uncontrolled movements.

• Some children with CP have problems with seeing, hearing, or speaking.

• Children with CP mostly have normal intelligence, but some have intellectual or learning disabilities.

• The muscle problems that children with CP have can often improve with therapy; CP doesn’t get worse over time, and most of these children will live as long as their peers.

• Children with CP are more likely to have seizures.

Who is the treatment team?

• Treatment team members may include the primary care provider, an orthopedist, a pediatric neurologist, and a developmental pediatrician or physical medicine specialist.

• Many children with CP can benefit from different kinds of therapy.

  • Physical therapy helps children work on gross-motor skills such as sitting, walking, or balance.

  • Occupational therapy helps children develop fine-motor skills necessary for feeding, writing, or dressing.

  • Speech therapy is important for children who may need to have the muscles around their face, throat, or tongue strengthened for communication or eating.

• Sometimes medicines or surgery can help lessen the effects of CP.

• Children who are younger than 3 years may receive these therapies through early intervention services. Early intervention is a system of services to support infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

• For children 3 years and older, special education and related services are available through the public schools to provide the therapies necessary for school achievement.

What are some elements of a Care Plan for cerebral palsy?

Care Plans may include

• Incorporating physical, speech, or occupational therapy exercises into the child’s daily routine. These plans may include the use of splints, braces, communication devices, or adapted toys to help children be more active, participate more, and have fun while they are working their bodies.

• A written plan called the Individualized Family Service Plan will be provided for children in early intervention.

• An Individualized Education Program will describe an older child’s unique needs and the services available to address them.

What adaptations may be needed?

What should be considered an emergency?

• Children with CP may need extra time, supervision, or transport in case of an emergency such as a fire.

• Any critical adaptive equipment would also need to be brought in the event of an evacuation.

What are some resources?

• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, 800/695-0285 (voice/TTY),www.nichcy.org

• Geralis E. Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Parent’s Guide. 2nd ed. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House; 1998

• United Cerebral Palsy,www.ucp.org, 800/872-5827

• Easter Seals,>www.easter-seals.org, 800/221-6827