There are three types of cerebral palsy. Spastic cerebral palsy means a person can not relax their muscles or their muscles are permanently stiff. Athetoid cerebral palsy means that the patient can not control the movement of their muscles and may regularly suffer from involuntary movements of the affected areas. Ataxic cerebral palsy means the patient will struggle with balance and coordination. Cerebral palsy can differ in it's severity from mild to very severe. Very severe cerebral palsy will usually necessitate the use of a wheelchair and the parts of the brain that control speech and other functions may be effected.

1- An Orthopedist can help alleviate some of the problems and may be able to slow down problems that are associated with cerebral palsy. The orthopedist will be able to tell you any physical exercises or other forms of treatment that may be required and your doctor should instantly refer you to an orthopedist for further help.

2- There are no tests that can determine whether or not a child has cerebral palsy although doctors will use x-rays and other scans and tests to help determine the extent and severity of the disease. Doctors are very good at diagnosing cerebral palsy and also at explaining what is required to the patient's parents.

3- It is not always immediately obvious if a child has cerebral palsy and it may only surface when the child is around 18 months old and trying to sit or crawl. Most cases should be diagnosed by the time the child gets any older than this.

4- There is no cure for cerebral palsy but the patient will be given medication to help control seizures or spasms. Conversely, the cerebral palsy itself will not get any worse. If a child is born with cerebral palsy that affects the legs they will not develop cerebral palsy in the arms as well. However, the legs themselves will deteriorate over time and other conditions may develop. This is why it is vitally important to get the appropriate therapy as soon as possible.

5- Cerebral palsy does not ordinarily stop children from attending school and leading normal lives for the main part. Obviously, there will be some activities that they won't be able to take part in. It will take a good level of understanding from staff and students alike to give children with cerebral palsy the extra time they need to speak or get around. A child with cerebral palsy knows what they want to say it just takes a little longer and they should be given the opportunity to finish sentences themselves.