1 in 2 people with cerebral palsy have an intellectual disability. 1 in 5 people have a moderate to severe intellectual disability. Generally, the greater the level of a person’s physical impairment, the more likely it is that they will have an intellectual disability.

Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that impacts coordination and muscle tone.

Cerebral Palsy does not on its own affect a person’s intelligence. However, as many as 30-50% of children with CP have some form of cognitive impairment caused by a coexisting condition.

Cerebral Palsy is considered a neurological disorder caused by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while the child’s brain is under development. Cerebral Palsy primarily affects body movement and muscle coordination.

There are four main types of CP:

• Spastic Cerebral Palsy.
• Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy (also includes athetoid, choreoathetoid, and dystonic cerebral palsies)
• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy.
• Mixed Cerebral Palsy.
• In a Baby Younger Than 6 Months of Age.
• In a Baby Older Than 6 Months of Age.
• In a Baby Older Than 10 Months of Age.

Cerebral palsy is a “non-progressive” disorder. This means that as children get older, their CP will not worsen. While an individual’s cerebral palsy will not decline as they get older, there are a few things that can impact their overall health and wellness.

Cerebral palsy patients go on to live a healthy and normal life as they transition into adulthood. Severe cerebral palsy can decrease life expectancy due to significant physical and intellectual impairments and associated health conditions.

Generally, children born with cerebral palsy can expect to live between 30 and 70 years on average. Those with the longest life expectancies usually have more mobility, better medical care and adaptive equipment and greater autonomy and independence.

Bernadette Rivard lived 83 years with cerebral palsy.

Currently, no scientific evidence suggests that people with cerebral palsy can’t have children of their own. In fact, numerous people all over the world with cerebral palsy have successfully given birth to healthy children.

Mitte opened the dialogue by discussing his life and how he got to his current role as an actor and activist for people with disabilities. “But, really, growing up to this position,” Mitte said. “I was not looking for this role.” The actor has cerebral palsy, but he was not diagnosed at birth.

Several scientific studies have identified pain as one of the most common problems experienced by individuals with CP, children and adults alike, and as many as 75% of adults with CP suffer from chronic pain. Pain in CP seems to be overlooked and insufficiently treated by caregivers and health professionals.

The signs of cerebral palsy usually appear in the first few months of life, but many children are not diagnosed until age 2 or later.

The cause of Cerebral Palsy is a brain injury or brain malformation that occurs while the brain is developing — before, during, or after birth. As a result of the brain damage during brain development a child’s muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance can be affected.

When you have difficulties regulating body temperature, it’s essential to be mindful of the weather. The bodies of individuals with cerebral palsy are much more vulnerable to extreme outside temperatures. Cold weather can cause the muscles to tense up and increase involuntary movements.

There are several different types of cerebral palsy — spastic, ataxic, athetoid, hypotonic, and mixed cerebral palsy. These conditions are classified based on mobility limitations and affected body parts. Each type can vary in severity, symptoms, and treatment.

Cerebral palsy is a movement disorder that can affect many aspects of daily life. Fortunately, CP is not thought to impact life expectancy. Adults with CP have a life expectancy comparable to that of the general population.

Children with Cerebral Palsy, especially if they have oral motor dysfunction, are vulnerable to respiratory complications due to aspiration, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and respiratory distress syndrome. Many of these medical conditions can be life-threatening if they are not managed properly.

Respiratory failure is divided into type I and type II. Type I respiratory failure involves low oxygen, and normal or low carbon dioxide levels. Type II respiratory failure involves low oxygen, with high carbon dioxide.