DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES [CEREBRAL PALSY] GTN 301 COMMUNITY NUTRITION & DIETETICS SERVICES PRACTICUM Nahdathul Nisak binti Zulkeply Dietetics

WHAT IS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES? Developmental disabilities are severe, long- term problems. They may be physical, such as blindness, respiratory disorder and cerebral palsy. They may affect mental ability, such as learning disorders. Or the problem can be both physical and mental, such as Down syndrome. The problems are usually life-long, and can affect everyday living.

CEREBRAL PALSY What is cerebral palsy?  Cerebral (Brain) Palsy ( Weakness in a person’s movement)  A non-progressive neurologic disorder  Affects communication between the brain and the muscles

TYPES OF CEREBRAL PALSY Cerebral palsy can be described by  The way it affects people’s movement  The part of the body affected  How severe the affects The 4 main types of cerebral palsy are:  Spastic  Athetoid  Ataxic  Mixed Forms

1. Spastic Cerebral Palsy  Tense and contracted muscles  The most common form of cerebral palsy.  70-80% of all people with the condition are affected by this type.  Have stiff and awkward movements.  3 types:  Diplegia: affects one side  Hemiplegia: affects both arms or legs  Quadriplegia: affects all limbs

2. Athetoid (Dyskinetetic) Cerebral Palsy  Affects 10—25% of all people  Uncontrolled motion in the face, arms, and torso.  Usually interferes with speaking, feeding, reaching, grabbing, and any other skills that require motor skills.  Caused by damage to the basal ganglia located in midbrain region  Sometimes this involuntary muscle activity affects the whole body at once.  The symptoms of athetoid cerebral palsy tend to diminish completely during sleep, though they often heighten during times of waking stress.

3. Ataxic Cerebal Palsy  Less common  Poor balance and lack of coordination.  Results in stumbles and falls.  Also, caused by damage to the cerebellum.  Accounts for 10% of individuals with cerebral palsy  Patients may experience some or all of the following symptoms:  Hypotonia –poor or low muscle tone  Gait problems-such as wide gait (walk)  Tremors- pasrticularly when attempting fine motor movements such as writing or tying shoes

4. Mixed Forms  Combination of spasticity and athetoid movements  Fairly common-25% of individuals with cerebral palsy.  Have damage to the motor cortex and cerebellum.  Spastic muscle tone and involuntary movements.

CAUSES  Babies who gave congenital malformations in systems such as heart, kidneys & spine can then have congenital malformations in the brain  Brain injuries  During fetal development  At birth or shortly after birth  Premature  Low weight at birth  Lack of oxygen to the brain  Does not cry in the first five minutes after delivery

 Seizures in a newborn  Fetus during/after birth exposed to  Certain chemicals  Infections  Expectant mother suffers severe physical trauma  Drug/alcohol abuse or smoking during pregnancy CAUSES

OTHER COMPLICATIONS  Delay in milestone development  Fine and complex gross motor development  Auditory or visual perceptual deficit  Difficulties in communication  Other concerns – asthma, epilepsy, seizure and drooling

ROLE OF COMMUNITY/ FAMILY  Social emotion support  Encourage sharing session among peers to develop friendships  Include them in most class and outdoor activities  Home-school partnership-parental involvement especially for baby and toddler  Behavioral aspect  No special consideration and provision concerning rules and regulation, unless the need arises  Be an advocate for child  Parents are an important part of child's health care team. Don't be afraid to speak out on child's behalf or to ask tough questions of the physicians, therapists and teachers.  Find support  A circle of support can make a big difference in helping people cope with cerebral palsy and its effects.

CONCLUSION “…disorder of movement..caused by a damage to the brain…they are not stupid” Source: (Stanton, M The Cerebral Palsy Handbook : A guide for parents and careers. London: Random House)