Cerebral palsy is due to damage in one or more of the three main areas of the brain. Previously, it was assumed that the brain was injured during birth, probably by forceps. Now we realize that the injury occurs more frequently before the baby is born, and sometimes it occurs after birth.
We have also found that in only a small percentage of cases does the injury cause a mental deficiency. Instead, it generally interferes with the nerves controlling the muscles. As a result, the victim of cerebral palsy may appear to be an imbecile, for example, by drooling, grunting instead of speaking, and making strange gestures and grimaces, even though his intelligence is normal. The injury to the brain may cause:
1 Spastic paralysis, with stiffness and impaired movement of the muscles. Such a person will walk with a scissorslike gait.
3 Poor co-ordination.
Usually the parent or physician can observe indications of cerebral palsy when a baby is only a few months old. Such an infant should be examined at a hospital that specializes in this disease. It is extremely important for parents to understand that it is not kindness to do everything for such a child, and they must encourage him in the difficult task of doing things himself.
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