Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy: Move Better, Live Better, Get Better

With 17 million individuals worldwide, Cerebral Palsy (CP) happens to be the most common physical disability in children. Hence, it is likely that you may be connected to someone with this condition.

Some figures about Cerebral Palsy (CP):

• 17 million people in the world have cerebral palsy
• 1 in 400 to 500 babies is born with Cerebral Palsy
• 1 person out of 3 is unable to walk
• 1 out of 5 people with CP is unable to speak
• 1 out of 2 people with CP lives with chronic pain
• 1 out of 25 people with CP has severe hearing impairments
• 1 out of 10 people with CP has severe vision impairments
• 40% of affected people were born prematurely.

Some individuals with CP may experience weakness in their arms and legs. Others may experience weakness in the body, along with difficulty thinking, sleeping, speaking, and doing activities that other children at their age are doing.

If an individual with CP has weakness in one side of their body, it is important to engage their weaker side in everyday activities. The focus is on improving function on the weaker side through repeated activity practice. Just like how you learned to tie your shoelaces. Practice is key to helping our body learn to function.

When we use less and less of our weaker side, we begin to lose even more muscle power and function on that side. To strengthen your weaker hand, you can begin with tabletop activities with your feet flat on the floor and your arms stable on the desk. With the help of your stronger hand underneath, practice reaching for an object (e.g., a cup) with your weaker hand. Proceed with gripping that object, moving it up and down and side-to-side, and then releasing the object.

Regular practice will improve strength and movement in that hand. Once you are able to do this, reduce the help being given by your stronger hand. You can work towards practicing with a spoon or fork, practice brushing your hair, opening the door handle, putting coins in a small box, and writing your signature. The more you use your weaker hand, the more complex activities it will be able to accomplish. As the caregiver, you can help by providing opportunities and objects to practice on.

Ultimately, the more movement and strength your weaker side gains, the more independent you will become in your everyday life.

However, if there is still weakness in the arms and hands, then an evaluation by an IMC Occupational Therapist may be needed. An IMC Occupational Therapist can also help if you are also experiencing stiffness, pain in movement, swelling, deformity, difficulties with thinking and understanding, or low mood and motivation.

An Occupational Therapist at IMC can provide specialized hand therapy and skill development to improve abilities in an individual with CP. Occupational therapy for CP includes exercises, therapeutic activities, functional activities, games, assistive technology, and other techniques to help develop independent life skills and improve physical and mental abilities. Services are available to address the needs of children, adolescents, and adults with CP.