Cerebral Palsy Cerebal: brain Palsy: movement Cerebral Palsy is a weakness or problem in the way a person moves (walk, talk, eat, play) because the brain that controls movement it is not telling the muscles what to do.

1. Spastic Muscles cannot be relaxed or muscles may be stiff Most common type of CP 3 kinds of Cerebral Palsy safe=active

2. Athetoid Can’t control the muscles of the body; Arms or legs move suddenly 3 kinds of Cerebral Palsy

3. Ataxic Problems with balance and coordination 3 kinds of Cerebral Palsy

CP can range: Mild to severe Mild…………………………………..Severe

How does a child get cerebral palsy? Did you know that a full-term pregnancy lasts about 9 months? 40 weeks? 280 days? 1.Premature Birth 2.For most kids with CP, the problem with the brain happens before birth. Doctors often do not know why.

How is CP treated? The problem of the brain that is affected does not get worse as the child gets older: If a child has CP that affects only the legs, it WILL NOT affect the arms or speech later in life

Living with CP Kids with CP go to school, have friends, do things they enjoy, but maybe a little differently…they might use a wheelchair, use a computer to talk and communicate, they might need extra time or help

Kids with CP are just like other kids… They want to be liked and fit in Be patient if you meet someone with CP Give them extra time to move If you are hearing, and can’t understand their speech, ask them to repeat what they said Most important..be understanding and a good friend!