About Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common lifelong physical disability arising in childhood. It is attributed to injury or malformation of the developing brain occurring before, during, or shortly after birth.
How it affects movement
It compromises movement and posture via spasticity (stiffness), dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements), or ataxia (balance and coordination issues).
The Critical Milestone
While there is no cure, early intervention during the first 1,000 days of brain development (when neuroplasticity is greatest) significantly improves lifelong quality of life.
The Main Patterns
- Hemiplegia: affects limbs on one side of the body
- Diplegia: affects lower limbs more than upper limbs
- Quadriplegia: affects all four limbs and the trunk