Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a brain disorder that affects muscle control, coordination, and balance. There are three types of CP:

  1. Spastic Cerebral Palsy: Causes stiffness and difficulty with movement
  2. Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: Leads to uncontrolled movements
  3. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Affects depth perception and balance

CP can affect standing, walking, and running as well as fine motor skills and muscles, leading to problems breathing, controlling the bladder and bowels, eating, etc. CP is a non-degenerative disease, meaning it does not get worse over time, although symptoms may change with age. Although the exact cause of CP is usually unknown, in most cases brain damage or brain development complications during pregnancy or birth are major factors.

United Cerebral Palsy – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.

4My Child – 4My Child provides the most comprehensive resource and compassionate voice for all things related to caring for a child with cerebral palsy, erb’s palsy, and other neurological injuries. 4My Child focuses on education, empowerment, and eliminating all preventable cases of cerebral palsy and other neurological injuries.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes – The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes provides an extensive overview of cerebral palsy including symptoms, risk factors, causes, treatments, and much more.

The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine – The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine is a multidisciplinary scientific society devoted to the study of cerebral palsy and other childhood onset disabilities, to promoting professional education for the treatment and management of these conditions, and to improving the quality of life for people with these disabilities.

Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Associate (CHASA) – CHASA is a non-profit organization offering support and information to families of infants, children, and young adults suffering hemiplegia or hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy – an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements that is symptomatic of some central nervous system disorders and injuries and not due to muscle weakness.