Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Cerebral Palsy (CP) refers to a group of chronic neurological disorders that involve damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. This damage can permanently affect body movement, muscle coordination, and balance. Most children with CP are born with it, although it may not be detected until months or even years later. The early signs of CP appear before a child reaches 3 years of age. The most common symptoms are a lack of muscle coordination of voluntary movements; stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes; dragging one foot or leg when walking; walking on the toes, a crouched gait; and muscle tone that is either too stiff or too floppy. Other neurological symptoms that commonly occur in individuals with CP include seizures, hearing loss and impaired vision, bladder and bowel control issues, pain and abnormal sensations. CP is not considered a progressive disease since the brain damage typically doesn’t get worse over time.