Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder caused by nonprogressive damage to the developing brain. “Cerebral” refers to the brain, while “palsy “refers to a physical disorder, such as a lack of muscle control. It’s a group of movement and postural disorders. It is not caused by problems with muscle or nerves, but rather with the brain’s ability to adequately control the body or activity limitation. CP can be caused by injury during birth although sometimes it is the result of later damage to the brain.

The problem associated with CP in children involves

muscle weakness,
shakiness,
balance problems, and slow response,
with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Symptoms usually appear in the first few years of life and once they appear, and if intervened at early stages, they generally do not worsen over time.

Infantile hemiplegia refers to brain injuries that occur before (pre natal) or at birth that lead to hemiplegia/ total paralysis of one side of the body, including the face, arm and leg. It occurs in infancy and is usually caused by a vascular accident such as cerebral infarction or thrombosis; frequently associated with seizures. Infantile hemiplegia is a rare condition of the nervous system that usually appears in children prior to the age of 4.

Development Delay (DD) in a child is that child who has not gained the developmental skills expected of him or her, compared to others of the same age. Delays may occur in the areas of motor function, speech and language, cognitive, play, and social skills.

Comorbid issues in Neurological Disabilities:

Delayed growth and development
Impaired vision and hearing abilities
Having problems in social, emotional and cognitive skills
Difficulty with problem-solving or logical thinking
Trouble learning in school
Drooling
Incontinence
Abnormal sensation and perception
Deformity in specific areas of the body
Infection and long term illness

For children with any disability, the cause of occurrence varies. Often, one is unable to find the right answers to why, how, what, when. However, it is recommended that one seeks professional help early, for a more promising recovery journey. Healthcare professionals can help to improve skills in areas such as: