| 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 head:
- Cannot raise the head
- Bending backwards excessively when excited
- Difficulty in sucking and swallowing
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The feet:
- "Scissored" gait or inability to kick
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The hands:
- Clenched fists or not reaching for objects
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In infants:
The head:
- Poor neck control
- Involuntary twitching of facial muscles may be present
- Difficulty in closing the mouth, chewing, swallowing and speaking
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The feet:
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The hands:
- Difficulty in stretching hands and grasping objects
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The body:
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III. What causes Cerebral Palsy?
Before Birth
- Congenital abnormalities in brain development
- Infection in the mother during pregnancy
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During Birth
- Brain injury due to oxygen deficiency during difficult labour
- Brain haemorrhage in premature babies
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After Birth
- Infection of the brain, such as encephalitis and meningitis
- Head trauma causing concussion or brain haemorrhage
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| Unknown Factors |
* Research indicates 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
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Hearing
- Hearing impairment of different grades
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Language
- Difficulty in expression, comprehension and pronunciation
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Senses
- Abnormal responses to sensory stimuli, e.g. fear of being touched or fear of movements
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Physical Health
- Common problems such as epilepsy or difficulty in swallowing
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Intelligence
- Different grades of mental retardation
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Attention
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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 maximize 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 / Student Health Service / Paediatric departments of hospitals /Private practitioners |
Further Assessment
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Child Assessment Centres |
Various specialist departments of hospitals, such as paediatrics, neurosurgery and orthopaedics |
Treatment, Training and Education
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Medical service
- Occupational therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Speech therapy
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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
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| After adolescence: |
Continuing Education and Training
- Vocational Training Council
- Social Welfare Department
- Tertiary institutions
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Employment
- Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department
- Employment service of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service
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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
Copyright @ 2008
Child Assessment Service, Department of Health, HKSAR
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