Understanding cerebral palsy

As a result of muscle weakness and spasticity, a child with cerebral palsy will often appear clumsy when walking, talking, using their hands or carrying out everyday tasks and activities such as using scissors, jumping, painting, with resultant health and safety implications.

Pupils with cerebral palsy may tire faster than their peers as motor impairment means they may have to try much harder and use more energy performing tasks.

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy, a non-progressive disorder, describes a group of chronic conditions characterised by an inability to fully control motor function, particularly muscle control and co-ordination. Causes can be multiple and complex. Recent studies suggest that cerebral palsy is mostly due to factors affecting the brain before birth.

Cerebral palsy is frequently categorised into three main types although many people will have a combination of these types:

• spasticity (stiff and tight muscles) 
• athetoid or dyskinetic (involuntary movements, change of tone in muscles from floppy to tense)
• ataxic (unsteady, uncoordinated shaky movements and irregular speech).

How does cerebral palsy affect the individual child? 

As cerebral palsy is such a wide-ranging condition, its effects vary with each individual. In some people, cerebral palsy is barely noticeable; others will be more severely affected. Symptoms depend on the parts of the brain affected, but can include:

• involuntary movement
• difficulties with mobility
• abnormal sensation and perception
• sensory impairment of any or all of sight, hearing or speech
• seizures
• poor listening skills
• problems with attention and memory.

The root of the problem is in the brain rather than the affected limbs, and as yet no cure exists to repair the damaged brain cells. Physiotherapy and speech therapy can be used to help with difficulties and prevent deformities developing or the condition worsening. Implications for learning depend on the area of the brain affected and severity of the condition.

Cerebral palsy at school

Some children with Cerebral Palsy may have learning difficulties, behavioural problems, epilepsy or sensory impairment (especially communication). It is common for children with cerebral palsy to have difficulty with fine or gross motor skills and visual perception, and to have significant dietary requirements. Early support and therapeutic intervention can undoubtedly help (a fact emphasised by Removing Barriers to Achievement, the government’s strategy for SEN).

The severity of cerebral palsy together with any additional learning needs will determine the help and support an individual child requires.

Many can follow the full mainstream curriculum with some sufferers requiring only the minimum of intervention or consideration. Sufferers with mild symptoms may not receive help from specialists, but teachers should be ...