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Childhood Developmental Disorders

Cerebral Palsy

Department of Health Child Assessment Service Developmental Disorders Series “Cerebral Palsy”

I. What is Cerebral Palsy? Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain. Affected children usually have abnormal muscle tone as well as uncoordinated control of movements or postures. Their behaviour varies greatly among different types or grades of cerebral palsy. For instance, some children can walk independently with minimal stiffness while some may be unable to move on their own. II. What are the symptoms of children with Cerebral Palsy? Delay in motor development: because of abnormal muscle tone, different parts of the body, including the head, hands and feet, become excessively rigid or floppy. In babies: The feet: ● “Scissored” gait or inability to kick The head: ● Cannot raise the head ● Bend backwards excessively when excited ● Difficulty in sucking and swallowing The hands: ● Clenched fists or not reaching for objects In infants: The head: ● Poor neck control ● Involuntary twitching of facial muscles may be present ● Difficulty in closing the mouth, chewing, swallowing and speaking The feet: ● Difficulty in walking The hands: ● Difficulty in stretching hands and grasping objects The body: ● Unsteady sitting posture

III. What causes Cerebral Palsy? Before Birth ● Congenital abnormalities in brain development ● Infection in the mother during pregnancy During Birth ● Brain injury due to oxygen deficiency during difficult labour ● Brain haemorrhage in premature babies After Birth ● Infection of the brain, such as encephalitis and meningitis ● Head trauma causing concussion or brain haemorrhage Unknown Factors * Researches indicate that cerebral palsy affects approximately two per 1 000 children (Source: Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Team Approach)

IV. Other possible co-existing problems Vision ● Refractive error, such as myopia ● Strabismus ● Amblyopia Hearing ● Hearing impairment of different grades Senses ● Abnormal responses to sensory stimuli, e.g. fear of being touched or fear of movements Language ● Difficulty in expression, comprehension and pronunciation Intelligence ● Different grades of mental retardation Physical Health ● Common problems such as epilepsy or difficulty in swallowing Attention ● Weaker attention

V. Why is it necessary to arrange early assessment and treatment? ● Parents can understand their child’s developmental needs as early as possible and arrange appropriate care and treatment to prevent secondary problems, such as tendon contracture, joint and spinal deformity or emotional and behavioural problems ● Parents can help their child in using assistive devices to enhance the ability of independent living, self-care and communication ● The child can receive appropriate medical follow-up and rehabilitation services as early as possible, including proper arrangement for training and education, so as to maximise the child’s potentials

VI. Where can parents seek help if their child is suspected to have Cerebral Palsy? Preliminary Screening ● Maternal and Child Health Centres / Paediatric departments of hospitals / Private practitioners Further Assessment ● Child Assessment Centres ● Various specialist departments of hospitals, such as paediatrics, neurosurgery and orthopaedics Treatment, Training and Education Medical service: ● Occupational therapy ● Physiotherapy ● Speech therapy Social Welfare Department / Education Bureau ● Early Education and Training Centres ● Integrated Programme in Child Care Centres ● Special Child Care Centres ● Special schools ● Support services for mainstream schools After adolescence: Continuing Education and Training: ● Vocational Training Council ● Social Welfare Department ● Tertiary institutions Employment: ● Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department ● Employment service of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service

VII. How can parents help their child with Cerebral Palsy? ● Understand and accept the child’s developmental conditions ● Participate actively in the child’s training ● Master the training methods ● Keep in touch with the instructors ● Join parent self-help groups ● Make good use of community resources ● Face the problem positively ● Share feelings with others to relieve negative emotion

Enquiry Numbers and Related Websites Government Bureau / Departments: Department of Health Child Assessment Service 2246 6633 www.dhcas.gov.hk Family Health Service 2961 8855 (Maternal and Child Health Centres) www.fhs.gov.hk Social Welfare Department 2343 2255 www.swd.gov.hk Education Bureau (24-Hour Hotline) 2891 0088 Special Education and Special Schools Special Education Resource Centre http://serc.edb.gov.hk Vocational Training Council 2836 1000 www.vtc.edu.hk Other Organisations: Hospital Authority 2300 6555 (General Enquiry) www.ha.org.hk Rehabaid Centre 2364 2345 (24 Hour Information and Education Hotline) www.rehabaid.org The Parents’ Association of Pre-school Handicapped Children 2324 6099 http://www.parentsassn.org.hk Overseas: Canchild Centre for Childhood Disability Research www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/canchild

 

 

 

 
     
 
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Last revision date: 02 October 2009