Hear from children living with cerebral palsy
This video captures the insights of children living with CP. It shares children's individual experiences of living in the community, as well as their dreams and aspirations.
Source: The Cerebral Palsy Society NZ
Key points about cerebral palsy
- cerebral palsy results from an insult to the developing brain
- cerebral palsy can have permanent effects on movement and posture
- it is the most common physical disability in childhood
- managing cerebral palsy involves a team approach with parents and their child, therapists, doctors, nurses and teachers all contributing
Early intervention is important for providing your child with the best opportunities for development.
This page provides a broad introduction to cerebral palsy and some of the things that you and your child may experience.
If you want more in-depth information, see the Cerebral Palsy Society website. The ‘Early years kete’ is a toolkit for whānau looking for health-related information and resources for their child living with cerebral palsy. The toolkit is available in English, te reo Māori, Samoan and Tongan.
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a physical condition that can affect any and all types of movement. It is permanent but it may affect the body in different ways as your child grows.
Cerebral means the brain. Palsy means a challenge with muscle control.
The te reo Māori word for cerebral palsy is hōkai nukurangi – to achieve what is important to you.
When talking about cerebral palsy, focus on what your child can do rather than what they can’t do. Include your child in all your whānau activities. Tamariki with cerebral palsy may need extra support. This may not only be physical support with moving. Tamariki with cerebral palsy may also have a range of other challenges such as difficulty talking, feeding, hearing or seeing.
Managing cerebral palsy involves a team approach with parents, therapists, doctors, nurses and teachers all contributing.
The language you use is important
- Focus on your child's abilities and strengths.
- Avoid saying things like “suffering from”.
- Avoid talking about ‘treating’ your child - focus on supporting your child and treating the symptoms.
What causes cerebral palsy?
There is no single cause for cerebral palsy. There are a number of risk factors. Problems with brain development can happen at different stages early in a child's life.
During pregnancy or delivery
The brain may not form or grow properly during pregnancy. If a baby is born pre-term or has a difficult delivery, this can increase the risk of an insult to the brain. A brain scan may show this as a brain bleed, stroke, or changes in brain structure.
Only a small proportion of cerebral palsy results from problems in labour.
Events after birth
Events in the first 2 years of life can also affect brain growth and development. These include:
- severe infections such as meningitis
- bleeding into part of the brain (a stroke)
- a head injury
Unknown
In some tamariki, despite a careful review and various tests, the reason for cerebral palsy remains uncertain. With advances in knowledge and technology, health professionals and researchers are identifying more risk factors and causes.
How cerebral palsy is classified
The most useful way of classifying and talking about cerebral palsy is to look at how your child functions. This helps to identify the level of support they need. These classifications include speech, eating and drinking, arm and leg use, and walking and mobility.
Find out more about the different classification systems.
Cerebral Palsy Classifications
There are also other ways to classify cerebral palsy which you may hear health professionals use.
A common way is to talk about the tone in the muscles and which parts of the body are affected.
Muscle tone
Tone is the level of muscle tension at rest which affects movement and function.
Spastic or dystonic cerebral palsy
Where the muscles are tight and stiff.
Dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Where the muscles move too much, and tamariki have difficulty controlling movement. You may hear the words ‘dystonia’ and ‘athetoid movements’ used.
Ataxic cerebral palsy
Where balance and co-ordination are affected.
Mixed cerebral palsy
A mixture of the above.
Parts of the body
Cerebral palsy can affect different parts of the body.
Monoplegia
When only 1 limb is affected.
Hemiplegia (unilateral)
When 1 side of the body is affected.
Diplegia (bilateral)
When the legs are more affected than arms.
Quadriplegia (bilateral)
The whole body is involved, one side may be different from the other.
Possible challenges for children with cerebral palsy
Every child with cerebral palsy is unique. Not all tamariki with cerebral palsy have the same characteristics.
Some of the medical conditions that tamariki and rangatahi (young people) with cerebral palsy may experience can impact their:
- feeding and swallowing
- vision
- hearing
- speech
- movement of muscles and joints
- growth of bones
- bowel and bladder
- lungs and breathing
- learning and behaviour
Some tamariki with cerebral palsy also have seizures. Tamariki with seizures may need to take medicine to help manage this. Some tamariki will stop having seizures as they get older.
Like all other tamariki, those with cerebral palsy can develop any other childhood health condition. All tamariki need Well Child Tamariki Ora and GP care.
Support for children with cerebral palsy
Supporting tamariki with cerebral palsy focuses on helping your child to reach their full potential. Empowering, supporting and educating whānau is the most important part of care.
Support For Children With Cerebral Palsy-Hōkai Nukurangi
More information and support
Listing Of Information, Support & Resources On Cerebral Palsy
The Cerebral Palsy Society website has information and support to help people living with cerebral palsy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
If you are a parent of a child already diagnosed with cerebral palsy and living in Aotearoa New Zealand, you may wish to register your child with the New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Register.
Cerebral Palsy Youth Alliance videos
Watch some Cerebral Palsy Youth Alliance videos.
