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Resources by Disability
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Definition: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a condition that impairs body movement and muscle coordination. Approximately 1 million people in the United States have CP.
Symptoms: The symptoms of CP vary by individual. Some people may have mildly impaired motor skills (making if difficult to write or use scissors), while others may experience more severe symptoms, such as involuntary movements or the inability to walk. Symptoms of CP typically emerge during early childhood, and do no not worsen with age.
Cause: CP is caused by damage to certain areas of the brain that control motor function. This brain damage can be congenital or acquired during or after birth. Infants that are born premature, have seizures, and experience other complications at birth, are at higher risk of developing CP.
Diagnosis: Physicians diagnose CP in the early stages of infancy by identifying physical signs of abnormal motor skills, including delays in developmental milestones, and abnormalities in muscle tone, movements, and reflexes. Children are typically diagnosed with CP by the time they are 18 months old.
Treatment: There are a variety of treatment options that can relieve the symptoms of CP, including medications, physical and occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology.
Myth: Because CP is caused by damage to the brain, it is often assumed that all patients are mentally retarded. In truth, CP is a physical (not mental) impairment. Like people without CP, people with CP have a range of IQs, and some have above average intelligence.
Notable People with CP:
- Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Support Groups:
UCP of Philadelphia & Vicinity
102 East Mermaid Lane
Philadelphia PA 19118
Tel: (215) 242-4200
Fax: (215) 247-4229
Email: ucpkravitz@aol.com
Website: http://www.ucpphila.org
Cerebral Palsy Association of Delaware County
401 Rutgers Avenue
Swarthmore PA 19081
Tel: (610) 328-5955
Fax: (610) 328-0495
Email: billb@delctycerebralpalsy.org
Cerebral Palsy Association of Chester County
Chester County Disability Services
749 Springdale Drive
Exton PA 19341
Tel: (610) 524-5850
Fax: (610) 524-5855
Website: http://www.ccdisability.org/
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