Initially called Little's Disease, after the English surgeon William Little who first wrote about it in the mid 19th century, Cerebral Palsy is a blanket term for a number of disorders which affect muscles and movement.
If that part of the brain which controls movement is injured or fails to develop properly, a child may be born with or develop CP. At present there appears to be no single cause for CP, but medical research indicates that damage to the developing foetus from a viral infection, certain drugs, poor nutrition or prematurity may be a strong factor, or, to a lesser degree, low birth weight, lack of oxygen or injury to the brain, before, during or just after birth, or cerebral bleed, may also be attributable. Meningitis or encephalitis in early childhood can also be a cause. It is thought that approximately two people per 1000 of the population in the UK have CP.
Spactic Cerebral Palsy
This is the most common form of CP. The person will have very stiff muscles and a decreased range of jerky movements making the most basic of activities extremely hard work.
If it affects just half of the body it is described as hemiplegic. If both legs are affected (but not the arms) it is diplegic. If both legs and arms are affected, it is quadriplegic.
Athetoid or Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
The person will have frequent involuntary muscle movements; muscle tone too loose or tight;
Difficulties controlling the tongue; unintentional movements of the face, arms and upper body; diaphragm (breathing) and vocal cords and hearing problems may also be present. Because of these problems, their speech may be difficult to understand until you get to know them well. This type of CP by itself is quite rare.
Ataxia Cerebral Palsy
This affects the whole body: the person will probably be unsteady when walking, their balance will be affected and they will be generally uncoordinated. They will experience extreme shakiness and have jerky hand movements and speech.
Many people with CP will have a combination of the three types. As with many neurodevelopmental disorders, CP can affect people in widely different degrees of severity. No two people will be the same but as always, try to see the person and not the condition.
Physical and mental characteristics
A child who has CP may have or develop some - not all - of the following, to some degree:
Treatment
A child born with cerebral palsy will always have cerebral palsy. It is not an illness, it is not contagious, it does not get worse, but on the other hand neither does it diminish with age. There are treatments and therapies which will help alleviate some of the symptoms of CP, and much can be done to help children manage their lives better. This includes your patience, understanding and willingness to look beyond the disorder - your efforts to do so will be well rewarded.
As always with a neurological disorder, a multi-disciplinary approach is advised. Children may need help from a range of professionals, including physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and educational psychologists. Some children will need walkers, wheelchairs or protective headwear. Others may need help with their activities of daily living such as dressing and bathing, some will need specially adapted knives, forks, spoons and writing equipment, an Occupational therapist will be able to help with these activities. For those whose speech is very difficult to understand it will be easier for them to use a communication aid, whether this is a set of simple cards with works / pictures, or a sophisticated electronic speaking device.
Teachers should be aware that learning difficulties may be present, but this is not the rule: many children with CP have average intelligence and some may have above average intelligence. If there are learning difficulties present, these may range - as in any population - from mild through moderate to specific or severe. Perceptual or spatial difficulties are not always picked up.
NEWS****** ******FLASH
*CMSS*
*Diamond*
*Jubilee*
*60 Years*
*29th September*
*2012*
This year at CMSS is a very special, exciting and a fun packed year for us as we will be celebrating our Diamond Jubilee.
Throughout the year, we will be having lots of different events to celebrate this special year.
Events for the year:
1st June: Evening disco and buffet
29th June: 'The In Between Years' performance by Clients of CMSS at the Compass Theatre
2nd July: 'The In Between Years' performance by Clients of CMSS at the Compass Theatre
6th July: A day trip to the sea side
10th August: Picnic in the grounds
12th September: Carers outing to Buckingham Palace
29th September: **GALA DAY**
24th November: Christmas Bazaar; 'Launch of 'The In Between Years' History Book'
14th December: Christmas Lunch
*Gala Day*
29th September 2012
2pm-6pm
Please come and join us to celebrate this special day of the year. The day will be packed full of fun; Barbeque, Bar, Coconut Shy, Raffles, Bottle tombola, refreshments, beat the goalie and plenty more...
If you are able to volunteer, support, double fund or donate any items for the forthcoming events, please email Naheed Judge on naheedjudge@hotmail.com or Leana Hughes on lealea300@hotmail.co.uk.
*Holidays*
Butlins Bognor regis: 30th March - 2nd April and then again 13th-16th April
Center Parcs Elveden: 18th- 21st May
Alton towers: 28th May- 1st June
Gladwins Farm: 15th-22nd June
Potters resort: 13th-17th August and then again 24th-28th August
Centre Parcs: 7th-10th September
*Socials*
Filming of ' Family fortunes' : 6th feb
*Can YOU Help?*
Have you been attending CMSS for 50 years? Has your family been involved with CMSS for many years? We are currently in the process of publishing a book about the history of CMSS and we need any old newspaper cuttings, photographs, letters, or anyting related to the history of CMSS. Please could you forward these to Betty Morris and we will photocopy them with your permission, and give the originals back to you.