Crash Course on Cerebral Palsy đź””

By Team Plia • 8/15/2025

Understanding Cerebral Palsy (CP): A Parent’s Guide

If you’ve just heard the term CP from a doctor, teacher, or therapist, you might be feeling overwhelmed. CP stands for Cerebral Palsy, and while the name can sound intimidating, knowing what it means and what treatment options exist can help you feel more confident and prepared.

Some Quick Resources

Charities/Organisations

Communities

  • Facebook: UK; Worldwide.
  • TikTok: Search “cerebral palsy”; many parents and allied health professionals document their journey.

Books

What is CP?

Cerebral palsy is a group of lifelong movement and posture disorders caused by differences in how the brain develops or functions. It usually appears in early childhood. Children with CP might have:

  • Muscle stiffness or weakness
  • Difficulty with balance or coordination
  • Involuntary movements
  • Challenges with speech, swallowing, or vision

Why does it happen?

CP can result from brain development issues before birth, during birth, or shortly afterwards. Causes and risk factors include:

  • Premature birth
  • Complications during delivery
  • Infections during pregnancy
  • Brain injury in early life

Types of CP?

The most common form is spastic CP (about 80% of cases), which causes stiff muscles and tight movements.

Within spastic CP, you might hear terms like:

  • Hemiplegia – one side of the body affected
  • Diplegia – mostly the legs are affected
  • Quadriplegia – all four limbs are affected

Other types include dyskinetic CP (involuntary movements) and ataxic CP (balance and coordination challenges).

Is There A Cure?

Right now, there is no cure for CP. But there are many effective treatments and supports that help children build skills, increase independence, and enjoy a better quality of life.

Common Treatments for CP

Key Takeaways for Parents

  • CP looks different in every child. There’s no single treatment plan.
  • Connect with parent communities on different social media platforms; they’re going through the same journey and are happy to help.
  • Early intervention can make a BIG difference.
  • There are a lot of assistive technologies available to help your child. Talk to your doctors/therapists to see how you can make your child more independent.

Glossary

CP
Cerebral Palsy
OT
Occupational Therapy
AHP
Allied Health Professional – healthcare worker who provides therapy or support such as a physiotherapist
AFO
Ankle–foot orthosis – a supportive brace for the foot and ankle
SDR
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy – spinal surgery to reduce stiffness
Spasticity
Muscle stiffness from overactive signals in the brain

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your child’s healthcare team before starting or changing treatment.

Crash Course on Cerebral Palsy đź””