CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral Palsy

Speech Disorders Associated With Cerebral Palsy

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of chronic diseases related to the degree of brain damage that affects the control of the body and movement (Levitt 2010 ). The term cerebral refers to the brain, whereas palsy describes a disorder that impairs control of body movements. These violations are not the result of muscle and nerve problems. Instead, they are associated with impaired motor areas in the brain that impair his ability to control movement and posture. Condition usually manifests within the first few years of life and is not marked regression. Cerebral palsy may be present either before birth, may occur during the delivery process, or may even grow up to several years after birth. The disorder is most often diagnosed when a child of four months to 2 years(Hinchcliffe 2007 ). Sometimes, it does not appear later in child development. There are between 500,000 and 700,000 Americans are affected by cerebral palsy, with about 3000 new cases diagnosed. Children with CP have problems controlling their muscles and coordination of body movements. They may have rigid or weak muscles, which can cause them to make unusual muscle movements. Infants, which CP may take longer than usual to start rolling over, sitting, crawling, smile or walk. CP may be mild or severe. A child who has a mild CP may be awkward movements, but they may require little or no assistance(Panteliadis 2004 ). A child who has severe CP may not be able to move, may have problems with speech and may require lifelong care and assistance.

Types of CP

There are 3 types of CP:

Spastic SL is the most common form of CP. This causes the muscles to strain and makes the movement difficult. Spastic CP may affect only one side of the body, both legs and both arms and both legs.

Athetotic SRs were not as often as Spastic CP. Athetotic CP causes uncontrolled, slow movements of the body and affects the entire body.

Ataxic SL is the least common form of CP. Ataxic CP affects balance and coordination.

Symptoms of CP

Symptoms may include: Rigid muscles or muscles that are too floppy Uncontrolled movements Lack of coordination Difficulty in walking (e.g., one foot or leg may drag) Difficulty with fine motor control (e.g., difficulty writing or buttoning a shirt) It is difficult to speak, swallow or eat Excessive drooling Exemptions Causes of CP Prenatal causes may include infection, hypoxia and metabolic disorders. The after delivery causes may include, hypoxia, head trauma, asphyxia, premature birth, birth complications, or even very low birth weight. (Panteliadis 2004 ) Acquired cerebral palsy causes may include hypoxia, infections, and tumors of the brain, such as tumors or cysts and head injury. Brain damage that causes CP may occur before birth, during birth or within the first few years of life. In most cases, CP is present at birth. Typically, the brain sends messages telling the body exactly how to move and ...