Cerebral Palsy is a condition that has a major impact on an individual’s life. It not only causes limited body movements and muscular incoordination, but also causes impaired speech. Speech is not affected because of an inability to learn, or acquire language, but because the muscles involved in speech are severely impacted. By strengthening muscles and working on developing muscular coordination, verbal communication can be possible.

What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is a cluster of conditions that affect body movement and muscle coordination. This condition is usually caused by damage of the brain during fetal development or early infancy. Children with this difficulty will not be able to use the muscles in the body in the same way as normally developing children. Some will face difficult challenges when walking, talking, eating, and even playing.
Cerebral Palsy or CP, is not a disease or illness that is contagious, is a difference in development. They are unable to control muscular movements and coordinate body movements correctly. Children with CP will have it throughout their lives; unfortunately, there is no known cure. But through intervention and therapy, they may be apt to live fruitful lives.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to a part of the brain. The cerebellum, basil ganglia, or the motor cortex of the brain may be damaged. These regions are all responsible for muscular and body movements, as well as balance and coordination. Many times it is difficult to tell what caused the damage and if there was anything to prevent it. It could have been a mishap that took place during fetal development or failure of the brain to function properly.
Either bleeding of the brain or oxygen deprivation could be two causal factors for Cerebral Palsy. Many babies that are born prematurely may have undergone one of the two. Another cause might be infection, either maternal or neonatal infection in which the brain is damaged at a very early age.

Four Categories of Cerebral Palsy
There are four categories in which cerebral palsy can be divided into:
•    Spastic- almost 70-80% of individuals have this type of CP, making it the most common. Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy will have one or more groups of muscles with stiff or limited movement. These children will make rigid or “spastic” gestures when switching positions; and even have a difficult time holding onto or letting go of objects. This type of CP can be broken down into 3 separate groups; spastic movement limited to one side of the body, spastic movement to lower extremities, or spastic movement in all four limbs.
•    Ataxic-this type will affect 5-10% of individuals with cerebral palsy. These children will seem to have a shaky nature, as if they are fragile. They have a poor sense of balance, coordination, and depth perception. They walk with a big gap between their legs, making them seem uneasy. One of the most difficult tasks for them is writing or cutting with scissors; the shakiness of their muscles does not allow them to hold a pen or scissor properly. In many cases, these individuals will have a trouble with visual or auditory processing as well.
•    Athetoid/Dyskinetic- about 10% of cases of cerebral palsy are affected by this type. The cerebellum or basil ganglia may be damaged due to the CP. The cerebellum is responsible for body movements and coordination. Walking, sitting, and posture are severely impacted. Individuals with this type of CP will show a series of involuntary movements in the face, arms, and/or torso. One of the biggest problems faced by these individuals is speech. Because of involuntary movements occurring in the tongue and mouth, they will have slurred speech as well as difficulty swallowing. The more stressed the individual is, the worse the symptoms become.
•    Mixed- this type of CP is a combination of all categories. An individual with Mixed Cerebral Palsy will experience spastic muscle movements as well as the involuntary movements of Athetoid CP and the loss of balance, coordination and depth perception of Ataxic.

Treatment for Cerebral Palsy
Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapy are available treatments for Cerebral Palsy. Since every child is different, treatment methods may vary child to child. But since CP is a muscular difficulty, you can count on an exercise program being a big part of intervention. Oral exercises, as well as fine and gross motor exercises as well will be administered to individuals with cerebral palsy.
Treatment may increase or decrease depending on the severity of the case. Some children will see their therapist twice a week while other will see them three or more times. Parents should be a big part of their child’s improvement. At home, they should practice the different exercises their therapist has assigned.

What to Expect During Speech Therapy
A speech language pathologist will practice and improvement the movements of the jaw and tongue muscles during therapy. Such exercises will improve the child’s ability to speak and eat.
Depending on the severity of the case, a therapist may use sign language or an augmentative alternative communication device. If the child is able to speak, then the therapist will focus on improving language and grammar skills; sentence building, learning new works, acquiring clearer speech and become better listeners.

Cerebral Palsy will be carried on with an individual for the rest of his/her life. But it is not something that will hold them back. With intervention and determination, any person with any difficulty is able to reach their full potential.
I found this blog called “Sammy’s Walk Through Life,” she is a 25-year young lady with cerebral palsy. She writes daily blogs about her experiences with cerebral palsy. I think she is an inspiration because she shows us that although she does have cerebral palsy, and is in a wheel chair, she is not inept. She is proud of who she is and is thankful for everything she has in life. Make sure you read a little about her on: http://sammyswalkthroughlife.blogspot.com/

For more information on Cerebral Palsy, click on the following two links:
http://www.cerebralpalsy.org/
http://www.about-cerebral-palsy.org/definition/index.html