We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Characteristics of Cerebral Palsy?

By Erin J. Hill
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,862
Share

The major characteristics of cerebral palsy include lack of muscle control, spastic movements, delayed or lack of speech control, and poor posture. This is due to damage in the brain which occurs at some point during neurological development, generally in utero. Those with the condition often walk with a limp or cannot walk at all, have malformed hands or slurred speech, or may display jerky movements when trying to complete everyday activities.

Characteristics of cerebral palsy do not improve over time in most cases. Sufferers can often learn to do the same things as any other child, such as walk and talk, but they may do them in a slightly different manner than most. The abilities of each individual can vary widely, as there are drastic differences in those with mild forms of the condition and those with severe forms.

Some individuals with cerebral palsy may be wheelchair bound, have trouble speaking and communicating, and may even be slower to learn things than average. Others will only have a slight limp while walking or less muscle control. Sometimes mildly jerky movements can be improved with daily exercises of the affected area. Exercise is important for anyone who displays characteristics of cerebral palsy, as muscles can eventually atrophy if not used for long periods of time.

The level at which characteristics of cerebral palsy affect a person’s ability to live a normal life will depend on the severity of the condition. Many patients become highly productive members of society with few limitations, while others may need to be cared for the duration of their lives. Muscle strength can be improved to some degree, but those with extremely severe forms of the condition may show little improvement beyond a certain point.

In many cases, characteristics of cerebral palsy may be evident from a very young age. This is ideal because children who receive treatment and are encouraged to exercise early generally do better long term than those who don’t. There may be no way of knowing the severity of the condition until the child grows and matures. Parents are generally encouraged to help their children exercise and play as normally as possible during this time to encourage as much muscle strength as possible.

Additional medical care may be needed for those with very severe forms of cerebral palsy. These individuals may have decreased cognitive function, no control over muscles like the bowel or bladder, and may have additional health problems. Early intervention and treatment is the best course of action.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-characteristics-of-cerebral-palsy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.