Cerebral Palsy

Evidence  

https://cerebralpalsy.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-ACPR-Report.pdf 

The 2023 Australian Cerebral Palsy Register report provides insights into the prevalence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes of cerebral palsy in Australia, focusing on early diagnosis and intervention. For parents and caregivers, early years education and tailored support for children with cerebral palsy can significantly improve developmental outcomes.  

Multiple research projects are currently undertaken in this area, the below links provides a wide range of research projects to learn more about.  

https://cerebralpalsy.org.au/services/early-diagnosis/ 

https://cerebralpalsy.org.au/news-stories/video-series/communication-research-series/  

Education  

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disability that affects a child’s ability to control his or her muscles.  Children with cerebral palsy can have problems like muscle weakness, stiffness, awkwardness, slowness, and shakiness. They might also have difficulties with balance.  Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood physical disability in Australia.  

Cerebral palsy can happen when there is brain damage or there are problems with brain development in the parts of the brain that control muscle movements.  

Damage or problems with brain development can happen when:  

• a child’s brain doesn’t develop properly during pregnancy  

• a baby is born prematurely, and the brain isn’t fully developed  

• a mother is exposed to certain viruses during pregnancy  

• a baby doesn’t get enough oxygen during birth 

• a baby has a stroke during pregnancy or after birth 

• a baby gets a severe brain infection shortly after birth 

• a child experiences certain kinds of injuries during the early years of life – for example, a serious motor vehicle accident

Some babies with cerebral palsy might have been sick or premature when they were newborns. But about half of all babies later diagnosed with cerebral palsy were full term and well at birth. 

Babies with cerebral palsy might have:  

• problems with feeding  

• slow or delayed development – for example, they might be slower than other babies to hold their heads up or sit up  

• unequal movements across their bodies – for example, they might take no notice of one hand or show a preference for one hand early on  

• poor muscle control  

• low muscle tone  

• muscle spasms or stiffness when you try to move their joints 

Brain damage in babies with cerebral palsy won’t get worse. But it can get harder for their bodies to manage extra challenges as they grow up. For example, it might be hard for them to keep walking once they get taller during growth spurts in the teenage years. It is also important to remember that it is common for other areas of development to also be affected when the brain is damaged, and it is important to consider things like feeding and learning as well as movement. 

There are three different types of cerebral palsy.  

Spastic cerebral palsy  
Children with this type of cerebral palsy have stiff, tight muscles. This happens because messages from their brains to their muscles can’t get through clearly. It takes some time for stiffness to develop so young babies do not always have signs of spasticity until around their first birthday. 

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy  
Children with this type of cerebral palsy have a lot of involuntary twisting and repetitive movements. These can be anywhere in the body and are worse when children do things like reach for a cup or talk. These movements might make it very difficult for children to sit, stand, reach or grasp.  

Ataxic cerebral palsy  
Children with this type of cerebral palsy have shaky and unsteady movements or tremors. They also have problems with balance and might walk with their feet wide apart to help balance.  

Most children with cerebral palsy have a combination of two or more of these types of cerebral palsy.  

Every child with cerebral palsy has a different combination of symptoms.  The severity of cerebral palsy symptoms also varies from child to child.  

Some children have quite mild symptoms and can walk well and communicate well. Children with severe cerebral palsy need to use a wheelchair at least some of the time and usually have difficulty doing everyday things. About one-third of children with cerebral palsy need extra help to get around, and one-quarter can't talk.  

The effects of cerebral palsy can be different in different children.  

One child might be affected mainly on one side of the body (like a stroke in an adult), and another child might be affected mainly in the legs. And yet another child might have effects in legs, arms, and body. Many children feel the effects of cerebral palsy in the muscles of their face, mouth, and throat. This can affect communication, eating and drinking. 

Empowerment 

Your baby’s health care team will meet with you to discuss any concerns or events with your baby.  In the NICU you will have access to a social worker for ongoing support and your baby’s health care team will be able to answer your questions.    

Sometimes the wait feels like forever when your baby may undergo scans and assessments, and it is important that you remember to breathe and let those around you support you.  Talking with your partner or someone you are close with and facing this together can be a way to find strength through some of the hard days.  

It is common for infants to be described as high risk of cerebral palsy initially and the diagnosis confirmed later closer to one year of age. This period of waiting can also be quite stressful.  

If your baby receives any diagnosis, sometimes shock can set in, and you may not remember to ask questions at the time.  When you are ready, it can be helpful to write a list of questions and meet again with your baby’s health care team, finding answers to your questions and support networks can be helpful.  

Be assured there are many people with expertise to support you on this journey. Early intervention with physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists are available to support you and your baby’s development. 

Your own mental health is always important, so remember to reach out for support.  You are not alone and connection with someone who has been there can bring comfort.  

Useful links 

Special thanks to Cerebral Palsy Alliance for content sharing and providing support for families. 

Cerebral Palsy Alliance  

http://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au 

Raising Children 

https://raisingchildren.net.au/disability/guide-to-disabilities/assessment-diagnosis/cerebral-palsy 

Miracle Babies Foundation  

https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/content/cerebral-palsy/gk46cw 

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