{"id":27223,"date":"2024-10-03T17:19:50","date_gmt":"2024-10-03T16:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings-new\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/conditions\/cerebral-palsy\/"},"modified":"2024-12-11T12:41:37","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T12:41:37","slug":"cerebral-palsy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/conditions\/cerebral-palsy\/","title":{"rendered":"Cerebral Palsy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a condition that affects muscle control and movement. It affects about 1 in every 400 children in the UK.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is usually caused by an injury to the brain before, during or after birth, but there may be no obvious single reason.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are 4 main types of cerebral palsy:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">spastic cerebral palsy<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 when the muscles are stiff and tight (especially when attempting to move quickly), making it difficult to move and reducing the range of possible movement.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dyskinetic cerebral palsy<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 the muscles switch between stiffness and floppiness, causing random, uncontrolled body movements or spasms.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ataxic cerebral palsy <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2013 when a person has balance and co-ordination problems, resulting in shaky or clumsy movements and sometimes tremors.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">mixed cerebral palsy<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 when a person has symptoms of more than one type of cerebral palsy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are also different names which describe what parts of the body are affected:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hemiplegia<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 when 1 side of the body is affected,\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">diplegia<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> &#8211; where 2 limbs are affected,\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">monoplegia<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> &#8211; where 1 limb is affected,\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">quadriplegia<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> &#8211; where all 4 limbs (and usually the whole body) are affected.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Symptoms<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The main symptoms of CP involve problems surrounding movement, co-ordination, and development.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Possible signs of CP can include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">delays in reaching development milestones.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">being too stiff or too floppy<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">fidgety, jerky, or clumsy movements<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">muscle spasms<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">walking on tiptoes<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:480}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Symptoms will vary depending on the severity and type of cerebral palsy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:57}\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Education Strategies<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Children and young people with CP are all different and will need personalised\/catered care and\/or equipment to support their specific levels of need.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Consider accessibility of the school site: is there step free access? Can the child or young person move independently around the site?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Is the toilet appropriate for the child or young person to use to maintain their health and dignity? Read the Changing Places guide, using the following link to create a suitable environment\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.changing-places.org\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Changing Places Toilets (changing-places.org)<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Do they need an Intimate Care Plan? Use our templates to create a policy and strategy for your setting using the following link:\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/intimate-care\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Intimate care \u2013 Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do they struggle with fatigue management? It is important to teach the child\/young person ways to conserve energy and pace themselves throughout the school day. It may also be necessary to provide a modified timetable and\/or allow for rest breaks<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202fThe following link provides strategies to support fatigue:\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/managing-fatigue\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Managing fatigue \u2013 Support for schools and settings (devon.gov.uk)<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Are there reasonable adjustments for the child\/young person?<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> For example, physiotherapy programmes may need to be scheduled into their school timetable. Or they may have medical appointments\/surgeries that take place during school hours.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Help for schools with pupils with CP<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kidshealth.org\/en\/parents\/cp-factsheet.html#:~:text=Educators%2C%20therapists%2C%20parents%2C%20and%20students%20with%20CP%20can,As%20a%20child%20grows%2C%20this%20plan%20will%20change.\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cerebral Palsy Factsheet (for Schools) (for Parents) | Nemours Kids Health<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a condition that affects muscle control and movement. It affects about 1 in every 400 children in the UK.&nbsp; &nbsp;It is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2616,"featured_media":0,"parent":24527,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-27223","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-13 18:54:30","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2616"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27223"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29458,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27223\/revisions\/29458"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}