Can a child with cerebral palsy live a normal life?

Cerebral palsy patients go on to live a healthy and normal life as they transition into adulthood. Severe cerebral palsy can decrease life expectancy due to significant physical and intellectual impairments and associated health conditions.


How long do children with cerebral palsy usually live?

Generally, children born with cerebral palsy can expect to live between 30 and 70 years on average. Those with the longest life expectancies usually have more mobility, better medical care and adaptive equipment and greater autonomy and independence. There is no cure for cerebral palsy and the condition lasts for life.

How do people cope with cerebral palsy?

Exposure to a different environment and taking time off from the regular routine helps all people, including individuals living with cerebral palsy and their caregivers. Many destinations are accessible, and support groups can often offer guidance and recommendations for places that accommodate one's abilities.


Can a child recover from cerebral palsy?

There is no cure for CP, but a child's quality of life can improve with: treatment that may involve medicine or surgery. therapy, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. special equipment to help kids get around and communicate with others.

Can a person with cerebral palsy live on their own?

Not all children with cerebral palsy will have the ability to live independently or earn money on their own. Sometimes cognitive or emotional issues limit people with cerebral palsy from becoming independent and finding gainful employment. Or perhaps they are completely immobile and can't get to and from work.


Living a Fulfilling Life with Cerebral Palsy



Can kids with cerebral palsy talk?

Some children with cerebral palsy may not be able to produce any sounds, others may be able to produce sounds but have difficulty controlling their movement enough to produce speech that is clear and understood by others. 1 in 4 people with cerebral palsy cannot talk.

Are people with cerebral palsy mentally OK?

Cerebral Palsy Isn't an Intellectual Impairment, But…

Although permanent, CP is fortunately non-progressive, meaning it does not worsen over time. Cerebral Palsy does not on its own affect a person's intelligence.

Does cerebral palsy affect intelligence?

1 in 2 people with cerebral palsy have an intellectual disability. 1 in 5 people have a moderate to severe intellectual disability. Generally, the greater the level of a person's physical impairment, the more likely it is that they will have an intellectual disability.


Can you walk again with cerebral palsy?

Yes, many people with cerebral palsy can walk! In fact, over half of all individuals with cerebral palsy can walk on their own without mobility aids like walkers or crutches. Cerebral palsy can range from mild to severe and affect various regions of the body.

Is cerebral palsy a lifelong disability?

Some people with cerebral palsy can walk; others need assistance. Some people have intellectual disabilities, but others do not. Epilepsy, blindness or deafness also might be present. Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disorder.

What is life like with a child with cerebral palsy?

Mobility. Cerebral palsy most commonly affects movement. Mobility limitations, while greatly varied among individuals, are generally a life-long concern. Early on it is important to start thinking about mobility issues and how you will help your child move as easily, freely, and comfortably as possible.


What should people with cerebral palsy avoid?

Co-occurring complications.

Some children with cerebral palsy have gastrointestinal reflux disease, which can cause stomach acid to irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn. Greasy, spicy, or acidic foods can trigger acid reflux and should be avoided.

What is hard for people with cerebral palsy?

People with dyskinetic CP have problems controlling the movement of their hands, arms, feet, and legs, making it difficult to sit and walk. The movements are uncontrollable and can be slow and writhing or rapid and jerky.

Does cerebral palsy get worse with age?

Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disorder, meaning it will not get worse as time goes on. The life expectancy of an individual with CP is comparable to that of the general population.


How old is the oldest living person with cerebral palsy?

Bernadette Rivard lived 83 years with cerebral palsy.

Is cerebral palsy a birth defect?

The abnormal development of the brain or damage that leads to CP can happen before birth, during birth, within a month after birth, or during the first years of a child's life, while the brain is still developing.

What is the best treatment for cerebral palsy?

A variety of therapies play an important role in treating cerebral palsy:
  • Physical therapy. Muscle training and exercises can help your child's strength, flexibility, balance, motor development and mobility. ...
  • Occupational therapy. ...
  • Speech and language therapy. ...
  • Recreational therapy.


What does very mild cerebral palsy look like?

Mild cerebral palsy may not be noticed until a child begins walking and has symptoms that may include stiffness or tightness in joints, a limp, uncontrolled movement, or difficulty controlling muscles in the hands and feet.

What are 3 early signs of cerebral palsy?

What are the early signs of cerebral palsy?
  • Developmental delays. The child is slow to reach milestones such as rolling over, sitting, crawling, and walking. ...
  • Abnormal muscle tone. Body parts are floppy or too stiff.
  • Abnormal posture.


Does cerebral palsy affect behavior?

Cerebral palsy is a motor disability caused by damage to the developing brain. While CP does not directly affect behavior, its symptoms can cause your child to become easily frustrated and act out. Behavior problems like screaming or being destructive generally don't occur without reason.


What is the main cause of cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is usually caused by a problem that affects the development of a baby's brain while it's growing in the womb. These include: damage to part of the brain called white matter, possibly as a result of a reduced blood or oxygen supply – this is known as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)

Can cerebral palsy cause autism?

Differences Between Cerebral Palsy and Autism. Roughly 7% of children with cerebral palsy also have autism spectrum disorder. These 2 disorders are not related to one another but can co-occur and affect childhood development.

Is cerebral palsy Painful?

Some children may experience little to no pain, whereas others may require medical treatment to manage painful symptoms. According to a 2020 study from BMC Neurology involving 3,545 children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, 42.5% of patients reported experiencing some type of pain.


Does cerebral palsy make you angry?

It is believed that 25% of all cerebral palsy patients have behavioral issues. Those most at risk include cerebral palsy patients with epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, and severe pain. Some of the problem behaviors include: Anger issues making conflict likely.

How do you discipline a child with cerebral palsy?

Discipline Strategies for Special Needs Children:
  1. Praise good behaviors, ignore bad behaviors (if possible). ...
  2. If possible, determine the underlying cause for the behaviors and address it. ...
  3. Avoid punishments. ...
  4. Model appropriate behaviors yourself. ...
  5. Give countdowns. ...
  6. If you're having trouble, give choices.