Cerebral Palsy

Dysphagia is a condition characterized by persistent difficulty or pain when swallowing. There are many causes of dysphagia, and people of all ages can suffer from it (1). Dysphagia is especially common for children with complex medical needs, with an estimated 30-80% of children with developmental disabilities having some form of dysphagia (2).  Causes of dysphagia...

Cerebral palsy (CP) exists in a variety of different forms, and its symptoms vary significantly from person to person. Some people with severe CP use a wheelchair to help them get around, while people with mild CP might use a walker or crutches. All people with CP experience some sort of movement or posture impairment,...

Children who have cerebral palsy have very important nutritional issues. In this article, we discuss strategies that parents can use to help their children get adequate nutrition....

A low Apgar score at birth is strongly associated with cerebral palsy in childhood....

Trust, joy, confidence, and connection with peers are important for any child. Different therapies can be used to facilitate those feelings for children with disabilities, including animal-assisted therapy. Fostering a bond between a human and animal can promote psychological, emotional, and physical well-being. Specifically, horses can help to facilitate those goals in therapies known as...

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a non-profit that serves those with disabilities. They have many affiliate groups across the U.S. and Canada.  UCP was founded in 1949 by parents of children with the motor disorder cerebral palsy. Over the years, UCP has raised awareness about the needs of individuals with cerebral palsy, as well as...

The topographical classification of cerebral palsy (CP) is used to describe the body parts that are affected by the condition. Doctors commonly use this terminology to diagnose and explain where motor difficulties take place on the body.  Key terms Each topographical classification includes a prefix that shows the number of areas affected, and a suffix...

Nervous system conditions that affect an individual’s movements are called “motor disorders.” They can result in increased voluntary or involuntary movements, as well as faster or slower movements (1). Many motor disorders can have similar signs and symptoms, even though they are caused by different underlying conditions or diseases. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a movement...