| Cerebral Palsy Foundation

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April 6, 2023

Finding Your Voice & The Best Communication System For You

When a person is looking for a way to communicate in alternative ways, they need to find something that really works for them. They need to try to find a voice that sounds natural. They want to try to find a way to be efficient. They want to be able to communicate as normally as possible, even though they're not using their biological voice.

Stick Figure sitting in wheelchair using laser pointer to communicate

December 21, 2022

What is Dyskinesia?

Dyskinesia is an umbrella term encompassing a range of different movements. These are all movements that can be out of your control. Dyskinesia is very common in cerebral palsy.

Illustration of a patient standing up talking with a doctor in front of a purple pinwheel background

December 21, 2022

What is Dystonia?

Illustration of a person in a purple wheelchair about to be transferred to standing by a woman standing in front of them. They are drawn on a green background.

December 20, 2022

Understanding Dystonia: Diagnosis and Treatment

Dr. Bhooma Aravamuthan presents Understanding Dystonia: Diagnosis and Treatment at the 2020 AACPDM Community Forum. Moderated by Council Chair, Jen Lyman.

October 6, 2021

Insights From Genetic Studies of Cerebral Palsy

Cohort-based whole exome and whole genome sequencing and copy number variant (CNV) studies have identified genetic etiologies for a sizable proportion of patients with cerebral palsy (CP). These findings indicate that genetic mutations collectively comprise an important cause of CP.

July 1, 2020

Building Independence

Children with cerebral palsy have more complex self-management and self-care demands than children who are typically developing. They have to learn how to deal with medications and they may have to deal with medical equipment. At some point, they're going to have to learn about medical appointments.

July 1, 2020

Mastery Motivation

There are a couple of key things to think about in helping children and adolescents make the transition into young adulthood and independence. One of those things is called mastery motivation and we can see mastery motivation early in life. It's the ability to persist in the face of challenge. If you're growing up with a disability, it can be harder to do things. If you are not challenged, if the environment is not set up correctly, or if you don't have the resources, then you start to feel that you can't master certain kinds of tasks.

Representation of a parent cheering on their child with a text bubble above them that reads "You can do it!", while the child who uses a walker prepares to go up the stairs

July 1, 2020

Is Cerebral Palsy Genetic?

To give you an idea about genetic variation between each of us, there are about three million differences in our genetic code. They go to influence the color of our hair and the color of our eyes, the way we walk.

July 1, 2020

How Does Cerebral Palsy Affect The Body?

Cerebral Palsy affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance. Depending on the part of the brain that is injured depends on how someone’s muscle tone will be effected. For people with spastic CP they have increased muscle tone because of the part of the brain that's injured. If causes very tight muscles which in turn effects the movement of the joints and of the limbs. For others who have dyskinetic CP they lose the ability to have voluntary control over their muscles, and they can have jerky and uncontrolled movement patterns.

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