By the age of 3-years, if
a child is not able to coordinate his/her motor movements like
walking, talking, sitting, smiling, clapping etc., he/she could
be suffering from Cerebral Palsy. Also known as CP, Cerebral
Palsy describes a group of disorders that impair muscle
co-ordination and motor movements. Since it is a group of
disorders, there is no one reason for CP. But it is triggered by
damage to a part or parts of the developing brain, especially
those controlling motor movements. Why that damage happens, is
still in the realm of unconfirmed hypotheses.
The brain starts developing in the foetal stage during early
pregnancy, and goes on till the child is about 3-years of age.
Since Cerebral Palsy relates to the developing brain, it can
happen before birth, during birth or even after the birth of a
child. It does not afflict a child once the brain is fully
developed, i.e. around 5 years of age at most.
The human brain has two halves or hemispheres, each of which
controls different functions of the body. Damage to any of these
affects different parts of the body. In Cerebral Palsy, it
affects Motor skills, both gross and fine. Because of the damage
the messages from the brain do not go to the body and from the
body to the brain. This message relay is hindered in varying
degrees depending upon the extent of the damage or lack of
development, and the areas affected. So, it is neither a
weakness of the muscles nor that of the nerves that causes CP.
It is purely a motor coordination deficiency. This can be mild
as in a minor loss of muscle control like clumsiness in hand or
leg movement, or severe as in a total loss of muscle control,
with the person not being able to swallow or speak.
CP is of 3-types: Spastic cerebral palsy, which causes stiffness
and movement difficulties, Athetoid cerebral palsy leads to slow
involuntary and uncontrolled movements, and Ataxic cerebral
palsy in which there is a disturbed sense of balance and depth
perception.
The Cerebral Palsy cases do not get cured totally and the
disability is for life. It is a permanent, non-progressive
disorder. Once the brain has been damaged, no further damage
takes place. Any increase in the impairment, or any temporary
affliction resembling CP symptoms means it is not Cerebral
Palsy, because Cerebral Palsy neither worsens nor improves. Only
the severity of its symptoms may change with time and therapy.
For quite some time, Cerebral Palsy was known as ‘Little’s
Disease, named so after the English Surgeon, William Little who
first discovered it in the 1860’s. But, it is not considered a
disease any more, just a chronic, neurological disorder. It is
not contagious, nor hereditary, nor does it threaten life. The
high-risk group for CP is of premature and low birth weight
babies, twins, triplets, quadruplets etc.
A CP child is not mentally retarded, paralyzed, or completely
incapacitated. Separate parts of the brain control motor
movements and intelligence. Since, in Cerebral Palsy it’s the
brain center for motor control (Cerebellum) that is damaged or
not developed fully, the child’s intelligence is not affected.
The child will have average thinking and learning powers. The
problem lies solely with the brain not being able to control
healthy muscles for motor coordination. Depending upon the
extent of damage to the brain, a child suffering from Cerebral
Palsy could be completely healthy except for motor coordination.
Loss of motor control need not mean incapacity to learn, think
or feel. In mild cases, the child may live as long as any normal
being, but in severe cases, the life expectancy may be much
less. These children need special skills and individual care,
both at home and in special schools to help them cope with
life.
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