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more_legal_areas cerebral_palsyWhat are the different types of Cerebral Palsy?
There are four main types of Cerebral Palsy: Spastic,
Ataxic, Athetoid,
and Mixed. The first and most common is spastic. With this type of Palsy,
the muscles are in a constant state of spasticity. The result is that a
child will exhibit stiff and jerky movements. Ataxic
Cerebral Palsy is characterized by low muscle tone and poor coordination
of muscles. A child will be very shaky and have poor balance and are unsteady
when they walk. Athetoid Cerebral
Palsy occurs when the muscle tone is mixed -- sometimes too high
and sometimes too low. They may have trouble holding themselves upright
in a steady position. Those with athetoid Cerebral Palsy may display lots
of movements in their face, arms and upper bodies that are involuntary.
Mixed Cerebral Palsy occurs when muscle tone is too low in some muscles
and too high in other muscles. Approximately ¼ of all cases of Cerebral
Palsy are defined as mixed.
How does the disorder affect a person?
The manifestations of the disorder can run the spectrum in regards to its
severity and differs from person to person. An individual with cerebral
palsy will typically have difficulty with motor tasks and dexterity, such
as writing or cutting with scissors; experience trouble maintaining balance
and walking; or be impaired by involuntary movements, such as uncontrollable
writhing motion of the hands or drooling. Others are affected by medical
disorders, such as seizures or mental impairment. Contrary to common belief,
cerebral palsy doesn’t necessarily cause profound handicap. While a
child with severe cerebral palsy might be unable to walk and need extensive,
lifelong care, a child with mild cerebral palsy might only be slightly awkward
and require no special assistance. The disorder is typically not inherited
from one generation to the next and the disorder is certainly not contagious.
What Are Realistic Goals for a child afflicted with Cerebral Palsy?
When thinking of the future for your child, it is best to be both realistic
and optimistic. Just as with any other child, it is important to develop
skills from the ground up. It is equally important for the parent of a child
with cerebral palsy to be realistic about the child''s abilities now and
for the future. With professional help, the parent will slowly develop realistic
goals and it is these goals that the parent, child, and professionals should
dedicate their effort. Occasionally, difficulties in communication arise
when the parents, educators, and medical care providers discuss present
abilities. Maximizing this level of communication allows parents, educators,
and medical care providers to understand where the child is now and where
their capabilities will be in the future. An attempt to define future expectations
is usually more important in the teenage years and beyond, when function
is better defined and the future and potential is more evident to all parties.
Can you ever get rid of Cerebral Palsy?
Although the scientific community searches for remedies, there is no cure
for Cerebral Palsy. Fortunately, Cerebral Palsy is not a regressive disorder,
meaning that it does not gradually erode the affected individual’s
ability to control the movements of the body. Numerous treatment approaches
exist that can improve the body control, including medication, therapies,
and surgical options. There does seem to be potential for improvement through
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. For more information on the subject, refer to
our page on various treatments.
Is Cerebral Palsy ever caused by human error?
Human error can certainly cause Cerebral Palsy. During delivery, a doctor
must make sure that the baby gets enough oxygen. Barriers to this include
being stuck in the birth canal or being caught by the umbilical cord. As
well, when a baby mores itself into an improper position during childbirth,
a doctor must act immediately and sometimes order a C-section. If this is
delayed long enough, serious complications and problems are possible, such
as the development of Cerebral Palsy. The doctor must be sure to deliver
the infant within 24 hours after the membranes have broken. Finally, an
incorrect administering of drugs can have harmful effects. In general, improper
medical care or injury to the brain during the birthing process can have
serious and potentially devastating effects for a new born.
According to a recent study performed in Britain, antibiotics can increase the incidence of cerebral palsy in newborns if they are administered to mothers during...
The family of a boy who suffers from severe cerebral palsy because of injuries sustained during birth was recently awarded $26.5 million in damages by a Massachusetts jury. The a...
A Cumberland County jury recently awarded more than $2 million in damages to the parents of a boy who alleged their son's brain damage and cerebral palsy was caused by medical ne...