Introduction to cerebral palsy

The term ‘cerebral palsy’ describes a group of movement and posture disorders that may affect a person’s ability to move, communicate, eat, sleep or learn. The motor disorder results from a static injury to the brain or a deficit in brain development. Manifestations of cerebral palsy may change over time due to differences in the relative rate of bone and muscle growth, leading to contractures, dislocations, arthritis and subsequent weakness and fatigue. Motor impairment may be mild to profound, and can affect mobility, independence and activities of daily living.

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disorder of childhood. About 35 000 people in Australia live with cerebral palsy, and 1 in 700 babies are born with the condition each year. Diagnosis of cerebral palsy may occur soon after birth, or may not be made for several years, depending on the severity of the motor signs.

Intellectual disability and specific learning difficulties are common, but not universal, in people with cerebral palsy, and do not always correlate with the severity of physical disability. Approximately 40% of people with cerebral palsy have intellectual disability and/or epilepsy.

Many people with cerebral palsy also have associated health and functional issues in addition to their primary movement disorder; see also Common health problems in people with cerebral palsy.