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What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is a neuromuscular disability resulting from
damage to the central nervous system. This damage can occur
in pregnancy or infancy, but usually takes place before,
during, or shortly after birth. The primary effect of
cerebral palsy is an inability to control motor function,
particularly muscle control and coordination. These effects
can range from mild to more severe. While cerebral palsy is
not "curable," various treatments, services, and supports
can help children and adults with cerebral palsy achieve
their maximum potential for participation in home, school,
work, and community activities. (from NY State UCPA
Website)
Quite
often, people with CP also have other medical conditions
that can cause disability. However, it is very important to
emphasize that many people with CP have no other medical
condition at all. Some of the most common conditions
accompanying CP are seizure disorders (also called
epilepsy), school and learning difficulties, and
speech difficulties. Each of these conditions may
require different kinds of services, and so here we provide
links to websites that address these conditions.
New
Definition and Classification of CP: 2005
In July
2004, experts on cerebral palsy and brain injury from North
America, Europe and Australia gathered together in Bethesda,
Maryland for a workshop on CP.
Dr Nigel Paneth, who created the CPON network at MSU, was a
member of the five-person executive committee that organized
this workshop. Doctors and researchers hoped to create an
updated definition that fit better with new understanding of
CP from recent research, from the development of the Gross
Motor Function Classification Scale, and from pictures of
brain injury using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Workshop participants also discussed the best way to
classify cerebral palsy into different types. Types of CP
are usually grouped according to which limbs are affected;
how tone, balance and coordination are affected; and
sometimes the presence of other conditions associated with
CP. But since everyone with CP experiences it differently,
and we don't have a good understanding of causes of CP, it
isn't surprising that there's no
agreement yet on one system to classify types of CP! One
classification
system for all doctors and researchers to use around the
world will someday make it much easier to compare studies of
people with CP, and learn more accurately about causes and
treatments.
Dr Paneth was one of the authors of the proposed new
definition of CP, and senior author of the section on
classification, both published in the August issue of
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. The article is
posted below. Along with the article, we include opinions
from people who
work with CP that were also published in the journal at the
same time. We
hope you find this interesting reading. And we hope this
article helps those working with CP or affected by CP to
think about the best ways to describe different types of CP.
Please send us your comments!
cpon@epi.msu.edu
* This
workshop was sponsored by the Castang Foundation, UCP
Research and Educational Foundation, and the National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Seizure disorders information:
Learning difficulties resources:
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LdOnline:
Learning disabilites On Line, a leading resource page for
parents, children, and teachers:
http://www.ldonline.org/
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The
Circle of Inclusion Web Site is for
early childhood service providers and families of young
children. This web site offers demonstrations of and
information about the effective practices of inclusive
educational programs for children from birth through age
eight.
http://www.circleofinclusion.org/
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Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan
- 200 Museum Dr, Suite101; Lansing, MI 48933.
1-888-597-7809. Email:
ldami@aol.com
Disability Resources on the Internet:
http://www.disabilityresources.org/
Speech difficulties resources:
Family
files (speech resources)
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family fun and disability resources for families with
disabilities & special needs:
http://www.specialneedsfamilyfun.com/files/speechtherapy.html
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