cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy describes a group of disorders than affect a child's ability to coordinate body movements. Damage during the birth process is one of the most common causes of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy affects children in different ways. Some will have only minor symptoms, while other children will experience far more significant and severe problems.

Although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, there are many treatment options available for those suffering from the disorder. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you should discuss various treatment options including physical therapy, speech therapy, medications, educational programs and computerized aids.

types of cerebral palsy

spastic cerebral palsy

athetotic cerebral palsy

ataxic cerebral palsy

symptoms of cerebral palsy

Some children with cerebral palsy may exhibit more than one type of cerebral palsy, which is considered to be a mixed form of the condition.

Children with cerebral palsy may exhibit the following signs and symptoms:

• lack of muscle coordination
• stiff muscles
• exaggerated reflexes
• asymmetrical walking gait (one foot or leg dragging)
• variations in muscle tone (from too stiff to too floppy)
• excessive drooling
• difficulties swallowing, sucking or speaking
• tremors
• difficulty with precise motions (such as writing or buttoning a shirt)

Many children with cerebral palsy are extremely bright, while others will suffer from severe mental retardations. Some will require little or no special assistance, while many others will require extensive, lifelong care.

Additional information on cerebral palsy is provided by United Cerebral Palsy.

treatment of cerebral palsy

Although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, various treatment options are available to reduce the symptoms of the disorder. Many children with cerebral palsy will require long-term care or therapy. Treatment options include:

• Physical Therapy. Muscle training and exercises may improve your child's strength, balance and mobility. Physical therapy may also include instruction on using braces, splints or casts to improve hand and leg function and prevent contractures (a condition in which muscles become fixed in a rigid, abnormal position).
• Occupational Therapy. Therapists can help your child learn skills for daily living, including feeding and dressing.
• Speech Therapy. Your child may learn to speak better with the assistance of a speech therapist.
• Vision Aids. If your child's eyes are affected by cerebral palsy, he or she may need surgery to correct crossed-eyes or other vision problems.
• Hearing Aids. Cerebral palsy can affect hearing, resulting in the need for hearing aids.
• Medications. Muscle relaxants may ease muscle stiffness. Anticonvulsants can reduce seizures. Injections of botox may also be appropriate for spastic muscles.
• Technology. Various devices can help your child with communication, mobility and performing daily tasks. Assistance includes rails, customized wheelchairs, voice communication devices, computer software programs, and positioning equipment to put a child in the correct posture.

cerebral palsy lawyers

how our lawyers can help you

Although there are many treatment options available for children with cerebral palsy, they can be prohibitively expensive for most families. If you think your child's brain injury or cerebral palsy may have been caused by medical carelessness, please contact us. You deserve to know what happened to your child and whether the injury could have been prevented. We can help you answer the many questions you have and help you protect the rights of your child.

Martin & Jones has the experience and financial resources that these complex cases require, and an understanding of the challenges you are facing as the parent of a brain-injured child. Your child already has the most important person fighting for them—you. Let us help.

To learn how our lawyers can help you and your child, please complete our online contact form.