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Cerebral Palsy Definition
But cerebral palsy – “cerebral” meaning “of or relating to the brain” and “palsy” meaning “a condition marked by uncontrollable tremors of the body” - is not a clearly defined condition. In the 6th edition of the International Classification of Diseases handbook, for example, there are over 50 different classifications of cerebral palsy. As a result, instead of leading to clarity, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy can often lead to confusion. There are many ways a child’s brain can be injured, but children with cerebral palsy are typically hurt through a difficult birth process during which they do not get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, the brain loses vital functions and abilities.
This much is clear: cerebral palsy definition is not primarily a condition or impairment of the muscles, and treating as if it were – which often happens – will inevitably fail to help the child. Rather, children with cerebral palsy are injured primarily in the midbrain area of the brain. These injuries severely compromise the sensory messages that nor\mally pass through the midbrain, up to the pre-motor cortex and back. As a result, children who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy typically have problems using their eyes together to converge; have hypersensitive hearing and sense of touch; and have difficulty speaking, moving in a coordinated fashion and using their hands. But since the cortex is usually functioning well, these children are often very smart. More Information on Cerebral Palsy Disorder > "Matthew lives to help brain injured children." Dr. & Mrs. Eric Gray, Scotland |
In general, when professionals are asked for a cerebral palsy definition, they refer to children who are spastic or rigid, and have poor mobility and speech, as having cerebral palsy.
