It is one of the most terrifying diagnoses a parent can hear about their child – cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a condition of the brain that causes lack of muscle coordination in children. There are several different categories of cerebral palsy including spastic, athetoid, and ataxic. According to Kids Health, most children suffer from spastic cerebral palsy and are unable to relax certain muscles. Each instance of cerebral palsy is different for every child who suffers from it. Some children may have minor cases and other children may have major cases. There are medications and different therapies that specialize in helping children with cerebral palsy live life to the fullest.
Lack of Coordination
Cerebral palsy is caused by an injury or an abnormality in the brain. Because of this problem, the child’s motor skills can be significantly affected. According to MayoClinic.com, it can be hard for a child with cerebral palsy to perform tasks that require specific muscle coordination, such as using a pen or pencil to write or buttoning a shirt. There are many obvious warning signs of cerebral palsy.
Stiff Muscles or Exaggerated Reflexes
Stiff muscles or exaggerated reflexes are a symptom of spastic cerebral palsy. It can be hard or impossible for a child with this problem to bend her arms or legs. The child can also have moments of jerking of the extremities that happens suddenly. Certain areas of the body are affected by spastic cerebral palsy and the disease will not spread beyond the affected area.
Walking out of Balance
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that cerebral palsy will hinder a child’s ability to walk. A child who suffers from cerebral palsy may walk with a limp because he is unable to bend one leg. Some children may not be able to control their leg at all, and will drag it along as they walk. If the child is too small to walk, he may crawl dragging one side of the body and will be unable to use the other side normally.
Variations in Muscle Tone
Some of the muscles in the child’s body will be too stiff while resting. Other times the muscles will be too soft during movement. Because of this, the child will have a hard time controlling movement that should come naturally.
Drooling
Excessive drooling with cerebral palsy is common. This is due to dysfunctional oral motor control, or inability to control the functions of the mouth. In some children, the drooling is due to the excessive uncontrolled movement of the mouth.
