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Hypertonia in cerebral palsy is characterized by involuntary movements that are writhing, slow, and continuous. These involuntary muscle contractions tend to be less noticeable or stop altogether when the body is relaxed and more noticeable or even severe when attempting voluntary movements. Hypertonic cerebral palsy is one of several types of cerebral palsy. What Is... Read More

Cognition refers to the ability to use your intellectual capacity to learn, perceive, and reason with others. When an individual suffers from cognitive impairment, they may find it difficult to perceive and understand reality, judge certain situations, and communicate effectively with others. As a result, it may be more challenging to build relationships and achieve... Read More

Some children with cerebral palsy are susceptible to an array of digestive problems, one of which is constipation. Constipation is a relatively common symptom of the condition. It may be a minor ailment that goes away on its own, or it could develop into a chronic health issue. It’s important for parents and caregivers of... Read More

Dystonia in cerebral palsy causes twisting and repetitive involuntary muscle contractions that are often painful and interfere with regular movement, posture, sleep, and normal daily activities. Dystonic cerebral palsy is one of several types of CP and is a subcategory of dyskinetic cerebral palsy. What Is Dystonia in Cerebral Palsy? When the basal ganglia area... Read More

By The CP Family Network Children who are born with or develop cerebral palsy may also manifest a condition known as hypotonia, or low muscle tone (the amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle). The condition is also known as “floppy infant syndrome” or “infantile hypotonia.” Individuals with this diagnosis are said... Read More

Editor’s Note: When you factor in today’s challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting interruption of education, therapy, and support services—not to mention the social isolation—it’s a perfect storm with the potential to create a lasting, detrimental impact on a child’s sometimes fragile mental wellbeing. In a recent study, researchers noted anxiety, depression, irritability,... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor When my first daughter was born, she exhibited a total absence of any type of oral motor skill and necessitated a feeding tube from birth. Her birth injuries occurred as a result of “cord complications of unknown origin.” When our second child was born with cord complications,... Read More

By: John Hartford Although osteoporosis is often associated with aging, it is a common complication of cerebral palsy beginning in childhood. Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by lack of bone density or bone mass. Children with these “thin bones” can sustain bone fractures from very little trauma, seriously impacting all areas of their lives. Although... Read More

Children with cerebral palsy are more prone to hearing loss than other children. In fact, research indicates that about 15-20% of children with cerebral palsy have a hearing impairment of some kind. Without proper treatment, hearing loss in children with cerebral palsy can lead to difficulties in language development and social interactions are they grow older. Read More