BY: Casey Kelly

What is cerebral palsy?

a form of paralysis believed to be

caused by a prenatal brain defect or by
brain injury during birth, most marked in
certain motor areas and characterized
by difficulty in control of the voluntary
muscles.

CP
CP is one of the most common causes
of chronic childhood disability.
About 10,000 infants are diagnosed with
CP in the U.S. each year.
United Cerebral Palsy Association
estimates that more than 764,000
Americans have CP.

CP
About 35%-50% of all children with CP
will have an accompanying seizure
disorder and some level of mental
retardation.
May also have learning disabilities and
vision, speech, hearing, or language
problems.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

Spastic
Dyskinetic
Ataxic
Hypotonic
Mixed

Spastic
the most common type of cerebral palsy;
reflexes are exaggerated and muscle
movement is stiff
spasticity is due to damage to the motor
cortex of the brain
Affects ability to:

Stand or sit upright

Transfer from one position to another
Walk and run

Spastic continued

Effect on the upper limbs (arms and

hands)
Flexion at the elbow (the elbow is bent)
Flexion at the wrist (wrist is bent)

Flexion at the fingers (the fingers are fisted)

Effects on the lower limbs (legs)

Flexion at hip

Flexion at the knees

Equinovarus foot posture

Dyskinetic
dyskinetic cerebral palsy is divided into
two categories. Athetoid cerebral
palsy which is marked by involuntary,
slow, writhing movements and dystonic
cerebral palsy where trunk movements
are more affected than limb muscles,
resulting in a twisted posture
Involuntary

Ataxic
voluntary muscle movements are not
well coordinated
Characterized by shaky movements
Affects balance and sense of positioning
in space

Hypotonic
muscle tone is decreased or floppy
Difficulty with head control

(known as head lag)

Mixed

combinations of the symptoms listed

above

link

https://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au/whatis-cerebral-palsy/types-of-cerebralpalsy/

Symptoms
Controlling of the head
Rolling over, and sitting up
Tight muscles~ Joint flexibility
Lack of muscle coordination
Seizures (possibility)
Difficulty with speech, chewing,
swallowing, drooling
Irregular breathing

Assistive Aids
Eyeglasses
Hearing aids
Walking aids
Braces
Wheelchairs

GMFCS
Gross Motor Function Classification
System
Emphasis

1. ability to sit

2. Capability for movement and mobility

3. Charting independence
4. Use of adaptive technology

GMFCS Levels

There are 5 levels

Level I
able to walk without limitations

Level V
head and trunk limitations are severe
need for assistive technology and manual help
is extensive
may be able to control a motorized wheel chair

Interview
Ricky Hernandez
Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Interview

Gloria Hernandez
Para professional in a
classroom setting
working with the most
severely involved
children.

Physical therapy and

aquatic therapy
Motor group classes

(new born-6year olds)

Interview: Ricky
Communication
Adjustment with wheelchair
Giving him a job to do
Be stern with them
Not so much busy work
Give them extra time with tests~
separate room with para

Interviews: Gloria

Positioning is key
Easiest range of motion
May need pillow, towel

Cant breathe, cant function

Dont be intimated by them

COMMUNICATION
Children who cant talk ARE
PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF LEARNING
and KNOWING everything you teach
them.
Use visuals, find ways to communicate
Be creative

Tips

Communication:
PECS
Picture education communication system
Small 1x1 or 2x2 pictures that you put on a

communication strip

Make classroom handicap friendly

Print off PowerPoint slides
Reduce the amount of problems

Tips continued
Find website with the same information
as to what you are teaching.
Give them a job that they are capable of
doing.
Use visuals

Technology
Alpha smart- mini keyboard/screen
Dragin- talks=types (software)
Laptop

Every kid that is in a classroom setting

is in there because they have the ability
to learn, even if you dont have the
ability to teach them

Work Cited
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/c
erebral%20palsy?s=t
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brai
n/cerebral_palsy.html#
http://www.healthline.com/health/cerebra
l-palsy#Causes2