LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Cerebral Palsy (Disabled): Child
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Cerebral palsy is a condition not a disease. People do not "suffer" from cp. It is not progressive or degenerative. It does not become more severe as the child gets older, although some difficulties may become more noticeable. There is no cure for cerebral palsy. However early intervention in the form of treatments and therapies may reduce some of the affects of cp and help children learn to cope with their disability. Children can be positioned well from an early age and encouraged to play in a way that helps them to improve their posture and muscle control, they can be helped to develop and achieve more things for themselves.
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Cerebral palsy can not be cured, but treatment can often improve a child's capabilities. In fact, progress due to medical research now means that many patients can enjoy near-normal lives if their neurological problems are properly managed. There is no standard therapy that works for all patients. Instead, the physician must work with a team of health care professionals first to identify a child's unique needs and impairments and then to create an individual treatment plan that addresses them.
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Cerebral palsy is characterized by an inability to fully control motor function. Depending on which part of the brain has been damaged and the degree of involvement of the central nervous system, one or more of the following may occur: spasms; tonal problems; involuntary movement; disturbance in gait and mobility; seizures; abnormal sensation and perception; impairment of sight, hearing or speech; and mental retardation. Early identification of cerebral palsy can lessen developmental problems and lead to appropriate intervention when it helps the most. Early intervention programs are family-centered in which professionals and families work together with the child in specific activities. Educators, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, speech-language pathologists, psychologists and physicians can assist families by providing information and education. (From www.gretmar.com/webdoctor/cpinfor.html)
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Cerebral palsy is not one disease with a single cause, like chicken pox or measles. It is a group of disorders with similar problems in control of movement, but probably with different causes. When physicians try to uncover the cause of cerebral palsy in an individual child, they look at the form of cerebral palsy, the mother's and child's medical history, and onset of the disorder.
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The Bobath Centre specializes in individual therapy for children (and adults) with Cerebral Palsy using the Bobath/NDT approach to treatment and management. Therapy is based on a problem solving approach to this disorder of posture and movement, based on movement, analysis and systematic treatment facilitating the child to develop a greater repertoire of functional activities. The focus of therapy is helping the parents and carers to use and adapt play and everyday activities to help the children reach their functional potential. The Bobath Concept, which is used internationally, was developed at this Centre. The Centre runs an eight week postgraduate course in the treatment and management of Cerebral Palsy for doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech & language therapists. In addition, short, practical courses are run for other professionals such as teachers and classroom assistants.
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Research suggests that cerebral palsy results from incorrect cell development early in pregnancy. For example, a group of researchers has recently observed that more than one-third of children with cerebral palsy ... have missing enamel on certain teeth. Scientists are also examining other events—such as bleeding in the brain, seizures, and breathing and circulation problems—that threaten the brain of a newborn baby. Some investigators are conducting studies to learn whether certain drugs can help prevent neonatal stroke, and other investigators are examining the causes of low birth-weight. Other scientists are exploring how brain insults (like brain damage from a shortage of oxygen or blood flow, bleeding in the brain, and seizures) can cause the abnormal release of brain chemicals and trigger brain disease.
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