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Cerebral Palsy is recognized worldwide as a neurological disorder caused by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while the child’s brain is under development affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It also has its impact on oral motor functioning, fine and gross motor skills. Brain damage can be caused by a brain injury or abnormal development of the brain that occurs while a child’s brain is still developing – before birth, during birth, or immediately after birth. An individual suffering from cerebral palsy is likely to show marks of physical impairment. Cerebral palsy affects muscles and a person’s ability to control them. Muscles can show signs of spasticity or flaccidity or in certain circumstances nothing at all. Limbs can be stiff and forced into painful, awkward positions. Fluctuating muscle contractions can make limbs tremble, shake, or writhe. Basic activities of daily living such as sitting, standing or walking become difficult for some and patient needs to use mobility aids for support and independence.
Treating cerebral palsy is almost as complex as the condition itself, and there’s no cookie-cutter approach because each person is affected differently. Even though the brain injury that causes cerebral palsy cannot be reversed, the resulting physical and mental deficiency can be handled with a wide range of treatments and therapies. The types of therapies vary based on a person’s unique needs, type of cerebral palsy, extent of impairment and associative conditions. Therapy can also help parents and caregivers. Sometimes an individual may require a specific drug therapy e.g. muscle relaxants and surgical procedure to improve his quality of life and wellbeing. Although each medical specialist may have specific care goals related to their speciality and the individual’s unique condition, the overriding treatment goal for those with cerebral palsy is to:
