Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive, chronic condition affecting movement and coordination. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain during fetal development; before, during or shortly after birth; and sometimes during infancy. Although cerebral palsy cannot be "cured," therapy and sometimes surgery can improve the function of children with the disability. In the U.S., about two to five children in 1,000 are affected.

Signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before 18 months of age. Parents often note their child is not achieving normal developmental milestones like smiling, sitting, crawling, or walking. Babies with cerebral palsy may seem "floppy" or especially rigid. They may sometimes favor one side of their body.

Most children with cerebral palsy have spastic-type CP. These children may have underdeveloped limbs, hyperactive reflexes, and muscle contractions that are difficult or impossible to control. Many children experience these symptoms only on one side of the body (spastic hemiplegia).

Much smaller numbers of children experience athetoid or ataxic cerebral palsy. Athetoid types of CP may cause children to shudder or have tremors. Children with this type of CP usually show involuntary, purposeless movement and may have uncontrolled grimacing, making speech difficult. These movements tend to decrease when the child is asleep. Children with ataxic CP experience a loss of balance and coordination, with hypoactive reflexes. They may have significant muscle weakness and a wide gait.

Many children with cerebral palsy experience a variety of other problems, including seizures, speech problems, visual disorders, cognitive or perceptual problems.

Shriners - Chicago provides a wide variety of integrated services to children with cerebral palsy, including:

• Surgery
• tendon lengthening
• tendon transfer
• spinal fusion for CP-related scoliosis
• rhizotomy (dividing of sensory nerve rootlets causing spasticity)
• Bracing and splinting
• Botox injection (to reduce spasticity and increase range of motion)
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Recreation therapy

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