Cerebral Palsy: A Group Of Chronic Disorders

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of chronic disorders that involve degrees of brain damage that affect body control and movement. The term cerebral refers to the brain, while palsy describes a disorder that impairs the control of body movement. These disorders are not the result of muscles or nerves problems. Instead, they are due to impaired motor areas in the brain that disrupt its ability to control movement and posture. The condition typically appears within the first few years of life and it is not marked by regression. (Mecham, 1986)

The human body is made up of many organ systems that consist of organs and tissues of different anatomies and diverse nomenclature. These organs systems, organs and tissues are prone to thousands of diseases, and one of these diseases is cerebral palsy, which is a disease of the nervous system in simple terms. Research relating to cerebral palsy is carried out, whereby the disorder is described, along with its history, and how it affects the nervous system and the brain. The anatomy of the body systems involves with regard to this disorder, the effects of the disorder on these body systems and other body systems are also researched and discussed. Furthermore, the research focuses on the causes of cerebral palsy, its complications, signs, and symptoms, and the diagnosis of the disorder, along with its treatment and side effects of the treatment. A recap of the research focusing on prevention strategies, the anatomy and physiology of cerebral palsy and the nervous system is presented.

Cerebral Palsy is a term that is used to broadly describe a group of chronic palsies, which are disorders that impair movement control due to past damage of the developing brain. Cerebral Palsy usually develops at a young age, 2 or 3, and is a non progressive brain disorder. Non progressive means that the brain itself is not damaged anymore over time, however the symptoms from the damage already there could change drastically over time either for better or for worse.

A Non-progressive Chronic Brain Injury, other wise known as Cerebral Palsy, is an irregularity that includes many different neurological disorders that occurs in infants and is typically detected in early childhood that affects body movement and coordination permanently. Multiple tests and assessments are necessary to properly identify that a child has CP. Due to the amount of care and equipment that is essential to meet the daily needs of a person with Cerebral Palsy, families often experience heavy financial burden and emotional weakness. The purpose of this information research brief is to highlight some of these struggles related to Cerebral Palsy and communicate more information on the subject to the readers.

It is caused by an abnormality during development of the brain and injury to the brain during birth or up to 28 days after birth if acquired. One of my co-workers has Cerebral Palsy and is the department head for our SPD (Seniors & people with Disabilities) department. I have learned from working with him that early intervention is key to the treatment of this disease. Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapies are very helpful. Muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, and antispastics are some common medical treatments. The only ways to help prevent Cerebral Palsy is to keep yourself healthy during pregnancy and try to avoid any injury or infection. Before getting pregnant be sure to get vaccinated for all preventable diseases and be sure to get your baby vaccinated for things like meningitis after

One of the main signs that a child may have is a delay reaching the motor or movement milestones. (National Center on Birth Defects) Cerebral Palsy is often caused by radiation, low oxygen levels, or infections while the child is still in the mother’s uterus or being born. Doctors have stated that there is no identifiable gene pattern that has been laid out for this birth defect. Since this was confirmed doctors believe that Cerebral Palsy is not classified as a genetic disease, but they are not a hundred percent on it. This birth defect has affected the child’s life from being as normal as any other kid out there in the world, but manly it has affected their families. Their families have to be more careful with their child then every before. Having to come together to support, solve their overall problems and help with treatments and therapy. Families have to spend a big amount of their time and money towards the child. Sometimes these kinds of problems can affect the relationship of the parents and siblings; causing fights, divorces and hiding in the wrong paths.

Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term for a group of disabilities associated with movement and posture (Victoria Government, 2014; What is Cerebral Palsy? 2014). Every patient of this disability will look different and move differently due to the affected location within the brain (What is Cerebral Palsy? 2014). Cerebral Palsy will appear as a muscle disability, however, it is caused by the cerebrum being damaged. The cerebrum is responsible for memory, learning ability, muscle control, and communication skills; this is why some people with cerebral palsy struggle with communication and learning (Nordqvist, C, 2015).

Cerebral palsy is a general term for a variety of disorders caused by damage to the brain. The damage occurs before or during birth or in the first few years of life. The brain damage may cause severe crippling, or the symptoms may be so mild that they hardly interfere with the patient's activities.

Cerebral Palsy is a range of neuromuscular disorders caused by injury to an infant's brain sustained during late pregnancy, birth, or any time during the first two years of life. People with cerebral palsy have a wide range of difficulties, from a clumsy walk to an inability to speak or swallow, caused by faulty messages sent from the brain to the muscles. In the mid-1800s, William Little, an English physician, first described cerebral palsy in connection with birth injuries.

Cerebral Palsy is a physical disability that affects movements and muscle coordination and it is caused when the child brain is under development. Cerebral Palsy can also be caused by injuries during labor and delivery such as accidents abuse, medical malpractice or infections may lead to Cerebral Palsy. The brain damage caused by Cerebral Palsy can lead to other health issues, learning disabilities, vision, speech, hearing impairments or language issues. There is no cure for Cerebral Palsy but treatment would focus on therapy, special equipment, and depending on the case surgery can help the individual who has Cerebral Palsy. Though Cerebral Palsy is a permanent life-long condition it is not a progressive brain disorder. The symptoms caused by the brain damage will however changed over time, getting better or getting worse.

Cerebral palsy can vary in severity being either very mild or very severe, it can also impact children differently, meaning it can impact or involve one side of the body or both sides of the body (national library of medicine, 2016). The children diagnosed with CP can have little to no limitations or many depending on the level, type and severity (national library of medicine, 2016). Some children can walk with little to no assistance however, other children may not be able to walk at all or with a lot of assistance (national library of medicine, 2016). Also, depending on the severity some children can communicate verbally independently and others require communication devices to communicate daily (Chiarello, Palisano, Orlin, Chang, Begnoche & An, 2012).

With modern technology, research and experiments are being performed by using some form of electronics. In public settings more than half of the individuals are doing some form of activity with their hand held device. They are listening to music, on social media, taking pictures, or communicating on it. Since this generation co-habituates with electronics, forming rehabilitation techniques that incorporate electronics helps to get the individuals involved more comfortably.

The story of Team Hoyt is considered one of the greatest beloved stories of all time. It is a story of love, struggle, and bonding between a father and his son. Richard (Rick) Eugene Hoyt Jr. was born on January 10, 1962 in Holland, Massachusetts. At birth, Rick’s umbilical cord became twisted around his neck, which cuased the blockage of oxygen flow. This means that Rick’s brain is not sending the correct messages to his muscles. As a result of oxygen deprivation, Rick Hoyt was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy is considered a neurological disorder cuased by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while the child’s brain is under development. Cerebral Palsy affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance. It can also impact an individuals fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and oral motor functioning. Every case of cerebral palsy is unique to the individual. When a parent learns his or her child has cerebral palsy, they begin to define and understand it. The doctors told Rick’s parents, Richard and Judy Hoyt, that Rick would never be able to walk or talk. The doctors insisted that they institutionalize their son and forget about him. Richard Hoyt did not like what the doctors had to say. Richard was a father on a mission. His plan is to take Rick home and bring him up like any other child.

Having been at this special school I have discovered that children with cerebral palsy impairments need special care and people who very patient working that have this disability as others are unable to help themselves at all. Children need special love, parent’s and sibling’s support from their homes as it makes them feel accepted from their families because other children are being abused of what they are. Teachers that are dealing with learners that have the impairment need to be equipped with special needs education in order to cope with the conditions. There should be workshops for parents of these children whereby they will be empowered on how to deal with the conditions of their children.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is brain damage. It cannot be cured, it is not contagious, it is not a disease, and it does not get worse. According to Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, "Cerebral Palsy is a broad term for various nonprogressive disorders of motor function in people, resulting from brain damage around the time of birth. Damage to the brain could occur before, during, or shortly after birth"(“Cerebral”). Since the damage is done during the brain’s formation, and occurs in the part of the brain that controls motor and muscle functions, people with CP might have problems with motor skills, muscle tone, muscle weakness, reflexes, balance, excessive drooling, difficulties swallowing or speaking, shaking, tremors, and