FAQs

What is Cerebral Palsy (CP)?
Cerebral palsy, also referred to as CP, is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development; before, during, or shortly after birth; or during infancy. Thus, these disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. Instead, faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain disrupt the brain’s ability to adequately control movement and posture.

“Cerebral” refers to the brain and “palsy” to muscle weakness/poor control. Cerebral palsy itself is not progressive (i.e. brain damage does not get worse); however, secondary conditions, such as muscle spasticity, can develop which may get better over time, get worse, or remain the same.

Depending on which areas of the brain have been damaged, one or more of the following may occur: muscle tightness or spasticity; involuntary movement; disturbance in gait or mobility, difficulty in swallowing and problems with speech. In addition, the following may occur: abnormal sensation and perception; impairment of sight, hearing or speech; seizures; and/or mental retardation. Other problems that may arise are difficulties in feeding, bladder and bowel control, problems with breathing because of postural difficulties, skin disorders because of pressure sores, and learning disabilities.

Cerebral palsy is not communicable. It is not a disease and should not be referred to as such. Although cerebral palsy is not “curable” in the accepted sense, training and therapy can help improve function.

What is Autism?
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder associated with impairments in socialization, verbal and nonverbal communication, restricted play and interests, and repetitive motor movements.  The disorder affects each individual differently, and there is a wide range of functioning associated with the disorder.

Though most people with autism look perfectly typically, they will often avoid eye contact and lack interest in or regard for faces.  Their thinking and learning abilities vary from gifted to severely challenged.  Associated problems include hyperactivity, self-injurious behavior, sleeplessness, eating disorders and gastrointestinal problems.  Stability and consistently administered therapeutic interventions are critical to the child’s and family’s well-being.

What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome, down’s syndrome, or trisomy 21 is a chromosomal disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome.  Individuals with down syndrome tend to have a lower than average cognitive ability, often ranging from mild to moderate developmental disabilities. A small number have severe to profound mental disability. The incidence of down syndrome is estimated at 1 per 800 to 1,000 births, although these statistics are heavily influenced by the age of the mother. Other factors may also play a role.

What are development disabilities and delays?
Developmental disability is a term used to describe life-long disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical or combination of mental and physical impairments.  The term is used most commonly in the United States to refer to disabilities affecting daily functioning in three or more of the following areas:

• capacity for independent living
• economic self-sufficiency
• learning
• mobility
• receptive and expressive language
• self-care
• self-direction

Developmental delays are when a child does not reach their developmental milestones at the expected times.  It is an ongoing, major delay in the process of development.  Delays can occur in one or many areas—for example, motor, language, social, or thinking skills.  With the proper early intervention, many children will reach their expected level of development by age three.