Symptoms Of Cerebral Palsy

           The signs and symptoms associated with cerebral palsy appear during the preschool years and even infancy. Because cerebral palsy is a condition that impairs movement, the symptoms that a child might have cerebral palsy may be the presence of exaggerated reflexes exhibited by a child or rigidity in the limbs and the trunk. Children may also have abnormal posturing, involuntary movements, unsteadiness of walking, or a combination of these symptoms. Not all children have the same kind of symptoms and these symptoms may not be exhibited to the same degree in everyone with the disability.
         People with cerebral palsy may not necessarily have diminished intellectual capacity but in some cases they may have intellectual disabilities. They may also have seizures as well as difficulties with vision and hearing. Some symptoms and signs associated with cerebral palsy occur because of the individual's  difficulties with movement and coordination. Some of these symptoms include:

• Variations in muscle tone- muscles can either be too stiff or floppy
• Stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity)
• Stiff muscles and normal reflexes  (rigidity)
• Lack of muscle coordination (ataxia)
• Tremors or involuntary movements
• Slow, writhing movements (athetosis)
• Delays in reaching one's motor skills milestones, such as pushing up on arms, or sitting up, crawling
• Favoring one side of the body, such as reaching with only one hand or dragging a leg while walking
• Difficulty walking, toe walking, grouched gait, scissor-like gait with knees crossing or a wide gait
• Excessive drooling or difficulty with swallowing
• Difficulty with sucking or eating
• Delays in speech or difficulty speaking
• Difficulty with precise motions, such as picking up a pencil or fork

These difficulties affecting the child with cerebral palsy may affect only one side of the body or the whole body. Since the brain injury doesn't change over time, the symptoms do not usually get worse as the child grows. However, the muscles may become more rigid if they are not treated regularly. It is important to mention that regression can occur if treatment is not consistent or discontinued.

Work Cited: www.mayoclinic.com/health/cerebral-palsy