About Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by a trauma to the fetal brain during pregnancy, labor, or to the infant shortly after birth. It may also be caused by trauma to the developing brain, and onset can occur in children up to the age of seven years. It is neither progressive nor communicable, nor is it curable, but it can be managed.

Management of cerebral palsy may include physical, occupational and speech therapy, orthopedic surgery, or the use of braces or other adaptive devices. Assistive technology may help a person with cerebral palsy to live and work independently. It is not disease and should never be referred to as such.

Some effects may include: 

• Disorder of movement and posture. 
• Involuntary and uncontrolled movement. 
• Lack of muscle control ? low or floppy tone. 
• Speech, hearing, sight, or motor function may be affected.

Facts and Figures

• In Minnesota, approximately 15,000 children and adults have cerebral palsy. Annually approximately 2 to 2.5 of every 1000 live births results in cerebral palsy or similar condition.
• Although cerebral palsy is not curable in the accepted sense, training and therapy can help improve function.