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5 Things to Know about Cerebral Palsy

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that affects movement and posture. It is caused by illness or injury to the brain before or during birth, or early in life. Cerebral palsy is not curable and affects different parts of the body.

There are 4 types of cerebral palsy:

  • Monoplegia: Affects one limb, usually an arm
  • Hemiplegia: Affects one side of the body: leg, trunk, and arm
  • Diplegia: Affects either both arms or both legs
  • Quadriplegia: Affects all four limbs, the trunk, and the face

Affects individuals differently with varying degrees of disabilities

Cerebral palsy can affect individuals differently. Each person may experience different challenges and areas of needs in learning, working and activities of daily living. The degree of an individual’s disabilities ranges from extreme tightness or looseness of the body muscles, improper head, shoulder, or hip control to speech impairment.

People with cerebral palsy may also have a range of physical and cognitive impairments. These may include pain, being unable to walk or talk, epilepsy, severe vision impairment, or saliva control problems.

It is not contagious, and not life-threatening

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the developing brain, which is not contagious. However, it can be caused by accidents, negligence, infection, or abuse.

Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy are generally expected to live into adulthood.

Treatment is essential for persons with cerebral palsy

Therapy, assistive technology, medication, and surgery are options to maximise the individual's independence and quality of life. Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS) provides persons with cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities with early intervention, special education, rehabilitation services, day activity centre programmes, vocational training and gainful employment in Singapore.

Persons with cerebral palsy can maximise their potential and lead dignified lives too

Intervention and therapy can help greatly in the individual’s development, allowing them to work towards achieving their goals. Through active advocacy and the support of equal opportunities for all persons with cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities, CPAS hopes to empower these individuals by helping them realise their full potential and lead fulfilled, dignified lives.