 in a Diverse Society |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Q1 What is Cerebral Palsy?Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term used to describe a group of disorders affecting body movement and muscle co-ordination. The medical definition of CP is "a non-progressive but not unchanging disorder of movement and/or posture, due to an insult to or anomaly of the developing brain." Cerebral = "of the brain" Q2 What causes CP?Any damage to the developing brain, whether caused by genetic
or developmental disorders, injury or disease, may produce CP. During PregnancyAnything which tends to produce a low birth weight baby will increase the likelihood of CP. Factors during pregnancy which may cause CP include:
During Labour
In Early ChildhoodCP can occur if a young child suffers brain damage due to:
Q3 What types of equipment aids might a person with CP use to get around or to communicate with others?
Communication Devices include:
Daily Living Aids include:
Note: Some equipment is available through provincial health and social service systems. These vary across the country. Your local Cerebral Palsy Association can advise you on what is available in your area. Q4 Does CP affect everyone the same way?No. CP affects everyone differently. With so many different causes of CP, it is no surprise that it takes many forms. Every person with CP is a unique individual, but is likely to be classified as having a particular type of CP. Classification can be according to the type of movement disorder and/or by the number of limbs affected.
It is important to remember that limbs affected by CP are not paralysed and can feel pain, heat, cold and pressure. It is also important to remember that, just because someone with CP may not be able to speak, it does not mean he has nothing to say. Q5 Is CP contagious?No. CP is a condition, not a disease. Q6 Is CP hereditary or life threatening?No. CP is not hereditary and life threatening. Q7 Do all people with CP experience developmental delays?No. CP affects each person differently. Some people with CP do experience developmental delays but not everyone. Q8 If you have CP does that mean you can't work or go to school?Absolutely not. Many people with CP enjoy a full and active
life to the extent that their bodies are able to accommodate. People with
CP enjoy satisfying careers, university education, social life, and become
parents. Q9 Are there some jobs or fields that are better suited to people with CP than others?Yes, there are. Those jobs or fields include legal, accounting, music, art, administration, research, advocacy, entrepreneur, secretaries, web design, computer professionals, fundraising, education - to name a few. Q10 Is there a cure for CP?No. Because CP is a condition and not a disease, the best way to address the challenges it presents is to develop a treatment plan that is best suited to the individual her/himself. Q11 What are the treatment options?There are numerous treatment options available to people
with CP. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy all play an important
role in the long-term well being of a person with Cerebral Palsy. Other
therapies include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, BOTOX injections and sometimes
surgical options enhance mobility in a person with Cerebral Palsy. Q12 What kinds of medications are available for children?Children may take medication for conditions associated with CP, such as seizures. Drugs may sometimes be prescribed for severe spasticity or painful spasms. Spasticity can be temporarily reduced by nerve blocking injections. A recent development is the injection of Botulinum toxin ("Botox") into a spastic muscle group. This can reduce tone for several months. Q13 Are Orthotics, Casts and Splints made for the children suffering with CP?Most children with CP will be prescribed orthotics, casts or splints to supplement their therapy programs. These should be custom made for your child and help to provide stability, keep joints in position, and help stretch muscles. Q14 How many people have CP?It is estimated that one out of every 500 babies, and up to one in three premature babies are affected to some extent. There are over 50,000 Canadians with CP. Q15 What is Spastic Cerebral Palsy?Spastic CP is the most common type and is caused by damage to the motor cortex. Spastic muscles are tight and stiff, which limit movement. Q16 What is Choreo-Athetoid CP?Choreo-Athetoid CP results from damage to basal ganglia or cerebellum and leads to difficulty in controlling and coordinating movement. Children may have involuntary movements (which frequently cease while they sleep), or have difficulty with skills that require coordinated movements such as speech or reaching and grasping objects smoothly. Some terms commonly used to describe these involuntary movements include:
Q17 What is Mixed-Type CP?When areas of the brain affecting both muscle tone and voluntary movement are affected, a diagnosis of "Mixed-Type CP" may be given. Usually the spasticity is more obvious at first, with involuntary movement increasing as the child develops. Q18 What about aging with CP?Although people with CP are considered to have a normal
life expectancy, the physical challenges of CP may intensify with the
age (such as increased spasticity, fatigue, loss of strength and declining
mobility), and these physical challenges can in turn lead to increased
stress and anxiety. Therefore, a positive attitude makes a big difference,
and developing relaxation techniques and coping skills can have a beneficial
effect on mental and physical health. Portions adapted from "A Guide to Cerebral Palsy" by Nan Colledge (PDF 229KB).
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