PROVINCIAL OFFICES:

022-245 NPO

Transvaal Associa on for the Care

of Cerebral Palsy

P O Box 68519

BRYANSTON

2021

Tel: 011 789 4569

Fax: 011 787 0935

E-mail:

taccp@mweb.co.za /

idol@iafrica.com

Gauteng Cerebral Palsy Associa on

P O Box 807

SPRINGS

1560

Tel 011 812 6910/12

Cell 082 372 8139

Fax 011 812 6911

E-mail: immelman@eject.co.za

The KZN Cerebral Palsy Associa on

P O Box 10213

ASHWOOD

3605

Tel 031 700 3956

Cell 083 631 7777

Fax 0866 153913

E-mail: kzncpa@iafrica.com

Cerebral Palsy Associa on

(Eastern Cape)

P O Box 12127 CENTRAHILL

PORT ELIZABETH

6006

Tel 041 583 2130

Fax 041 583 2306

E-mail: Heatherr@cpaec.org.za

Western Cape Cerebral Palsy

Associa on

P O Box 13037

MOWBRAY

7705

Tel 021 685 4150

Cell 072 193 1424

Fax 021 686 8544

Pietermaritzburg & District Cerebral

Palsy Associa on

P O Box 13769 CASCADES -

PIETERMARITZBURG

3202

Tel 033 342 2913

Cell 082 331 8703

Fax 033 345 1672

SPOTLIGHT ON

CEREBRAL PALSY

CONTACT US | Tel: +27 11 452 2774 Fax: +27 11 452 elizma.woods@napcp.org.za | Private Bag X10041, Edenvale, 1610, South Africa| For more informaCon visit : www.napcp.org.za

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term used to describe a group of conditions

which affect movement and posture, and which are the result of dam-

age to the brain while it is still developing. CP may be accompanied by

speech and communication difficulties, altered visual perception, intel-

lectual impairment and epilepsy. It is estimated that there are two cases

of CP per 1000 live births. CP is not a disease and is seldom found twice

in the same family.

What causes Cerebral Palsy?

CP can occur before, during or after birth. Research

has shown that the majority of cases occur before

birth, with a lower occurrence thereafter. There are

many causes, including maternal infections, blood

clotting disorders, problems during labour, very low

birth weight and meningitis.

What can be done?

Cerebral Palsy cannot be cured, but there are many interventions available to

improve functional ability and quality of life for the person with CP. For more in-

formation contact the National Association for Persons with Cerebral Palsy in

South Africa.

Are there different kinds of Cerebral Palsy? Yes, there are several classifications of CP. It may be classified according to the parts of the body affected. Hemiplegia: One side of the body Diplegia: Legs mostly affected. Quadriplegia: Arms and legs equally affected.

CP can also be classified according to the movement

disorder. There are three main types:

Spasticity: Increased muscle tone (stiff muscles).

Athetosis: Fluctuating muscle tone (involuntary movements)

Ataxia: Unsteady gait and tremor.

Another useful classification is based on the level of motor

function, which ranges from slight difficulty with physical ac-

tivities, to severe movement limitations (The Gross Motor

Function Classification System).