Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent movement disorders. It is a physical disability that affects movement and posture and it is the most common physical disability in childhood.Cerebral palsy is caused before, during or shortly after birth as a result of injury to the brain due to any of the following reasons:

• Limited or interrupted oxygen supply to the brain

• A bleed within the baby's brain

• A premature or difficult birth process

• The mother catching an infection whilst pregnant

• Changes in genes which affect the development of the brain

Cerebral palsy can affect different parts of the body:

·    Quadriplegia/Bilateral: 4 Limb are affected. Both arms and legs are affected. The muscles of the trunk, face and mouth are often also affected.

·    Diplegia/Bilateral: 2 Limbs are affected. Both legs are affected to a lesser extent.

·    Hemiplegia/Unilateral:  One side of the body (one arm and one leg) is affected.

Motor types:

·   Spastic: This is the most common form, 70%-80% . Muscles appear stiff and tight. Arise from Motor Cortex damage.

·   Dyskinetic: This is characterised by involuntary movements, 6%. Arises from Basal ganglia damage.

·   Ataxic: This is characterised by shaky movements 6 %. Affects balance and sense of positioning in space. Arises from Cerebellum damage.

Associated Impairments:

Children with cerebral palsy may also have a range of physical and cognitive impairments including:

1.       Unable to walk

2.       Unable to talk

3.       Experience pain

4.       Epilepsy

5.       Behavior disorder

6.       Intellectual impairment

7.       Vision impairment

8.       Bladder control problems

9.       Sleep disorder

10.   Saliva control problems