About Cerebral Palsy

Every six hours, a child is born who will be diagnosed with cerebral palsy: a permanent, incurable disorder affecting posture and movement. Any pregnant woman could have a child with cerebral palsy, as there’s no test to identify an ‘at risk’ group.

Affecting approximately one in every 500 children, cerebral palsy is the name given to a group of conditions that occur before, during, or in the first two years after birth. The damage affects both the messages being received by and sent from the brain, and the way in which the brain interprets the information it receives.

Cerebral palsy takes many forms, but invariably results in restricted movement due to muscles being too stiff or too floppy. This affects the development of skills such as using hands for play, communicating and walking.

Children with cerebral palsy may experience other associated difficulties which may affect vision, hearing and learning. Some have difficulty in perceiving spaces and judging distances, as the messages to and from the brain get jumbled up. Aspects of digestion can be problematic causing swallowing difficulties, sickness and constipation. Each child is affected differently, both in the type of cerebral palsy and the severity.

Bobath Scotland, Children's Cerebral Palsy Therapy Centre, Bradbury House, 10 High Craighall Road, Craighall Business Park, Glasgow G4 9UD.
Tel No 0141 352 5000
Email: info@bobathscotland.org.uk
Bobath Scotland is a Scottish Charity, Index No SC 022695 and a company limited by guarantee, No. SC 149287