Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy is a name given to several conditions that affect movement and coordination. The symptoms of cerebral palsy are problems with movement, co-ordination and often development. The symptoms can vary from person to person and can include:
- weak arms or legs
- fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements
- random, uncontrolled movements
- muscle spasms
- shaking hands (tremors)
- seeming too stiff or too floppy (hypotonia)
- walking on tip-toes
The parts of the body that are affected can also vary: either on one side of the body; mainly the legs; or the whole body.
People with cerebral palsy can also have a range of other problems which may include:
- feeding and swallowing difficulties
- problems with speaking and communication
- seizures or fits (epilepsy)
- difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep
- an abnormally curved spine (scoliosis) and Kyphosis
- hips that pop out (dislocate) easily
- having a learning disability
- eye problems – including reduced vision, a squint, uncontrollable eye movements or Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)
- hearing loss
Many children and young people with Cerebral Palsy can go to mainstream schools while others might need a special school.
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