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Collab Topic - Occupational Therapy
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Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
CP is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means weakness or problems with using the muscles.
CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles.
Many also have related conditions such as intellectual disability; seizures; problems with vision, hearing, or speech; changes in the spine (such as scoliosis); or joint problems (such as contractures).
There are four main types of CP:
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
The most common type of CP is spastic CP. Spastic CP affects about 80\% of people with CP.
Spastic diplegia/diparesis―In this type of CP, muscle stiffness is mainly in the legs, with the arms less affected or not affected at all. People with spastic diplegia might have difficulty walking because tight hip and leg muscles cause their legs to pull together, turn inward, and cross at the knees (also known as scissoring).
Spastic hemiplegia/hemiparesis―This type of CP affects only one side of a person’s body; usually the arm is more affected than the leg.
Spastic
. They might have a hard time controlling their hands or arms when they reach for something.
The main sign that a child might have CP is a delay reaching motor or movement milestones (such as rolling over, sitting, standing, or walking). Following are some other signs of possible CP. It is important to note that some children without CP also might have some of these signs.
In a Baby Younger Than 6 Months of Age
His head lags when you pick him up while he’s lying on his back
He feels stiff
He feels floppy
When held cradled in your arms, he seems to overextend his back and neck, constantly acting as if he is pushing away from you
When you pick him up, his legs get stiff and they cross or scissor
In a Baby Younger Than 6 Months of Age
His head lags when you pick him up while he’s lying on his back
He feels stiff
He feels floppy
When held cradled in your arms, he seems to overextend his back and neck, constantly acting as if he is pushing away from you
When you pick him up, his legs get stiff and they cross or scissor
Screening and Diagnosis:
Diagnosing CP at an early age is important to the well-being of children and their families. Diagnosing CP can take several steps:
Treatment
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Conductive education
External braces
Orthopedic surgery
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