Welcome Page Definitions Cerebral Palsy occurs when the brain is damaged and inaccurate messages are sent from the brain to the muscles. This can limit movement of the muscles in the entire body or cause the muscles to move in an uncoordinated or inefficient manner. Damage to the brain occurs before, during birth or before the child's 2nd year. Cerebral Palsy is non-progressive, nonhereditary and non contagious. Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term describing different types of movement disorders.
Muscle tone is usually high or spastic.
Movements of arms and legs appear over exaggerated and uncoordinated and can cause fluctuation of muscle tone. Ataxia - whole body is usually affected, although sometimes just arms may appear affected. Movements of arms or legs appear jerky and uncoordinated and can cause fluctuation of muscle tone. Your child's pediatrician or neurologist is best able to accurately establish which type of Cerebral Palsy your child might have. It is helpful for the parent or caregiver to have an understanding of muscle tone as this plays an important role in the diagnosis of which type of Cerebral Palsy the child has and also the treatment approach that best suits the child's needs.