One in every 400 children in Australia is born with cerebral palsy or develops it in the first years of life. Often the reason for the damage is unknown. However, there are some known causes. These include lack of oxygen in the baby, either before or after birth, and infections like meningitis and encephalitis. People with cerebral palsy may have other disabilities such as epilepsy, intellectual disability, sight and hearing problems.
Cerebral palsy is different for every person.
Depending on the location and severity of the damage to the brain, symptoms can differ widely. Some children may show no obvious signs whereas others may be seriously affected from birth. There are three main types of cerebral palsy. Some people have more than one. They can affect one, two or all the limbs.