General Information about Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a disorder caused by damage to the brain during or shortly after birth. CP is not progressive, communicable, inherited, or a primary cause of death. It is not a disease. Symptoms of CP may include muscle weakness, abnormal posture, poor muscle control and lack of coordination, muscle spasms or seizures, bladder and bowel incontinence, impaired speech, and cognitive limitations.
Even though cerebral palsy affects muscle movement, it isn’t caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. It is caused by abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movements.
For more information about cerebral palsy visit the following websites:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/cerebral_palsy.htm
http://www.cerebralpalsyhelp.com
For tips on serving customers with cerebral palsy, please go to: www.chemeketa.edu/wso/cp.html
Updated August 15, 2007 by Sheila Johnson, Disability Program Navigator.