fbpx

KidsKonnect

Cerebral Palsy Facts & Worksheets

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a set of lasting movement problems that show up when kids are young. It results from irregular brain development or injury affecting movement control. While CP does not worsen over time, how it affects someone can change as they grow.

Search for Worksheets

Worksheets /Science /Health /Cerebral Palsy Facts & Worksheets

Premium
Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version   Download sample

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a set of lasting movement problems that show up when kids are young. It results from irregular brain development or injury affecting movement control. While CP does not worsen over time, how it affects someone can change as they grow. CP can happen for different reasons, like being born too early, being little at birth, infections during pregnancy, or not getting enough air to the brain during birth.

See the fact file below for more information about Cerebral Palsy, or you can download our 25-page Cerebral Palsy worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

OVERVIEW

  • Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of movement problems that start when an affected individual is young.
  • It happens because of issues that occur during brain development or injury affecting movement control.
  • This condition makes it hard for them to control their muscles, keep their balance, and sometimes even think clearly.
  • Statistically, about 2 to 3 kids out of every 1,000 born have CP.
  • Even though CP itself does not get worse over time, it can change how it affects them as they grow up.

HISTORY

  • Cerebral palsy has been recognized for a long time, even back in ancient times.
  • For example, the mummy of an Egyptian Pharaoh named Siptah, who lived around 1196 to 1190 BCE, showed signs of cerebral palsy with a deformed foot and hands.
  • Way back in ancient Greece, medical texts talked about paralysis and weakness.
  • They did not call it cerebral palsy, but the symptoms were similar. 
  • Claudius, a Roman Emperor, might have had it too, considering his physical issues, especially having weak knees, an unstable head, and stammered speech.
  • In the 1800s, English surgeon William John Little started connecting cerebral palsy to birth problems like difficult deliveries.
  • Meanwhile, British neurologist William Gowers classified birth-related paralysis into different types. 
  • Then, in the 20th century, Sigmund Freud gave cerebral palsy a better name and sorted out its causes, which became the foundation for modern diagnostic approaches to CP.
  • Winthrop Phelps pioneered surgeries on musculoskeletal functions, while András Pető came up with rehabilitation methods and functional skills training for people with cerebral palsy.
  • In the late 20th century, the Gross Motor Function Classification System was established.
  • It’s a way to evaluate and categorize cerebral palsy, which helps us better understand how CP affects someone’s movement abilities.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

  • Cerebral palsy can occur during pregnancy, birth, or even in the first few months after birth.
  • In most cases, some things happen during pregnancy that can lead to CP.
  • Many babies with CP have more than one thing that puts them at risk.
  • Some common causes of CP before birth include issues like infections or not getting enough oxygen.
  • Problems during labor and delivery, like not enough oxygen getting to the baby, can also lead to CP.
  • In this case, not having enough resources for good healthcare can play a crucial role.
  • Being born too early is a significant risk factor for CP.
  • Babies who come too early often have problems just after birth that can cause CP, with 40-50% of CP cases associated with prematurity.
  • Problems with the placenta or birth defects can also raise the risk. 
  • Even after birth, infections or injuries to the brain can lead to CP.
  • Birth asphyxia, seizures, respiratory distress, low blood sugar, and low birth weight are risk factors for babies having CP.

CLASSIFICATIONS

  • Different kinds of cerebral palsy affect movement in their own way. 
  • The main types are spastic, dyskinetic (also called athetoid), ataxic, and mixed CP.
  • Spastic CP is the most common.
  • It makes muscles stiff and hard to move, which can cause problems with walking or using arms.
  • There are different kinds of spastic CP:
    • Spastic hemiplegia affects one side of the body, usually the arm, more than the leg.
    • Spastic diplegia mainly affects the legs, with less impact on the arms.
    • Spastic quadriplegia affects all four limbs and often other muscles in the body, like those in the trunk or face.
  • Dyskinetic CP, or athetoid CP, leads to uncontrolled movements and changes in muscle tone.
  • This can affect the arms, legs, and even the face, making it hard to control movements or keep a steady posture.
  • Ataxic CP leads to issues with balance and coordination.
  • People with ataxic CP might have shaky movements or find it hard to do precise tasks like writing or buttoning clothes.
  • Some people have mixed CP, meaning they show signs of more than one type.
  • This can make it challenging to diagnose and treat because it involves a mix of symptoms like stiffness, uncontrolled movements, and balance issues.
  • CP can also vary from mild to severe, affecting how well someone can move and do daily tasks. 
  • Other factors like muscle tone and any additional problems like learning difficulties or seizures also play a part in how CP is classified.

SYMPTOMS AND PRESENTATION

  • In children, signs usually start with delays in doing things like rolling over or sitting up.
  • Babies might seem extra stiff or floppy, and as they get older, they might move in strange ways, like jerking or twisting. It depends on the type of CP they have.
  • Some might have trouble with balance and coordination or have a mix of different symptoms.
  • Apart from motor problems, CP can also cause issues with talking, swallowing, and seeing.
  • Some kids might find learning difficult, have seizures, or behave differently.
  • How bad it is can vary from just a little trouble to struggling with everyday things.

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT

  • While there is no cure for CP, a mix of therapies, medications, and sometimes surgery can make a difference.
  • Physical therapy helps strengthen muscles and improve coordination.
  • Occupational therapy teaches skills for everyday stuff like getting dressed or eating.
  • Speech therapy helps with talking and swallowing. 
  • Using accessories like braces, walkers, or wheelchairs can make it easier to get around and do things independently.
  • Doctors might also prescribe medication to help with CP symptoms, like muscle stiffness, seizures, or pain. 
  • These can help relax muscles or control seizures.
  • Sometimes, surgery is needed to fix bone problems, loosen tight muscles, or implant devices to deliver medicine.

Cerebral Palsy Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Cerebral Palsy across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy does not worsen over time, how it affects someone can change as they grow. Cerebral Palsy can happen for different reasons, like being born too early, being little at birth, infections during pregnancy, or not getting enough air to the brain during birth.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Cerebral Palsy Facts
  2. Vocab Check
  3. Palsy or False-y
  4. Research History
  5. Cerebral Puzzle-y
  6. Therapy Match
  7. Scenario Responses
  8. Constructive Discussion
  9. Awareness Art
  10. All About CP
  11. Extended Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and coordination. It is caused by damage to the developing brain, usually before birth but can also occur during infancy or early childhood.

What are the common symptoms of cerebral palsy?

Symptoms of cerebral palsy vary widely depending on the severity and location of brain damage. Common symptoms include difficulty with movement and coordination, muscle stiffness or weakness, tremors, impaired balance, and involuntary movements.

What are the risk factors for cerebral palsy?

Risk factors for cerebral palsy include premature birth, low birth weight, multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.), infections during pregnancy, maternal health issues such as thyroid problems or seizures, and certain genetic conditions. However, in many cases, the exact cause is unknown.

How is cerebral palsy diagnosed?

Cerebral palsy is typically diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and neurological assessment. Imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans may also be used to assess brain structure and identify any abnormalities.

What treatments are available for cerebral palsy?

Treatment for cerebral palsy aims to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. This may include physical therapy to improve movement and coordination, occupational therapy to develop daily living skills, speech therapy to address communication difficulties, medications to manage symptoms such as muscle spasticity, and in some cases, surgery to correct muscle or bone abnormalities. Additionally, assistive devices such as braces, walkers, or wheelchairs may be used to enhance mobility and independence.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Cerebral Palsy Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, April 10, 2024

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

Related Resources