Cerebral Palsy Glossary

A type of seizure characterized by a brief loss of awareness and consciousness, appearing as a long blank stare. Also known as Petit mal seizures (see: Neonatal Seizures).

The inward movement of a joint toward the midline. A common deformity of the hips in children with cerebral palsy.

Any tool that helps an individual express themselves, excluding speech. For example, facial expressions, hand gestures, pictorial communication, and writing or typing would all constitute different types of AAC on the most basic levels (see: Cerebral Palsy Communication Devices).

A scoring system for newborns based on their physical appearance, heart rate, reflexes, muscle tone, and respiration levels. Used to assess the presence of possible brain damage (see: APGAR Scores).

A complete cutoff of oxygen in the blood, resulting in brain damage or potentially death (see: Birth Asphyxia).

A neurological condition characterized by the loss of muscle coordination and balance. Often caused by damage to the cerebellum (see: Ataxic Cerebral Palsy).

A neurological condition characterized by periodic muscle contractions that cause involuntary writhing and twisting movements. Can impair all parts of the body, including speech. Athetoid cerebral palsy is also referred to as dyskinetic cerebral palsy (see: Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy).

Referring to the absence of muscle tone.

A type of muscle relaxer medication used to treat spasticity and provide joint pain relief (see: Baclofen Treatments).

A key part of the brain located in the center that is primarily involved in coordinating motor control. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is most commonly caused by an injury to the basal ganglia (see: Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy).

A type of medication that is more commonly associated with cosmetic surgery, but works to block nerve signals to reduce spasticity (see: Newest Treatments for Cerebral Palsy).

A structure of the brain connecting the cerebrum to the spinal cord. Can cause paralysis and death when damaged.

A part of the brain responsible for controlling voluntary movements and maintaining posture. Damage often associated with ataxic cerebral palsy (see: Ataxic Cerebral Palsy).

A complex group of neurological disorders and conditions that primarily affect motor control and cognitive functioning (see: Cerebral Palsy).

The outermost layer of the brain’s surface. Responsible for essential brain functions like memory processing, sensory functioning, thinking, learning, and emotional regulation.

An abnormal reflex response characterized by a group of repeated, involuntary muscle spasms and contractions. Often observed in the legs and ankles.

An abnormal reflex response characterized by uncontrollable shaking and jerking of the body. Often a symptom of epileptic seizures (see: Neonatal Seizures).

A vision impairment caused by brain injury to the visual cortex, thalamus, and/or other subcortical regions. Characterized by an injury to the brain rather than to the eyes (see: Vision Impairments).

A form of paralysis in symmetrical parts of the body, such as both arms or both legs.

The inability to lift the toes and feet high enough to clear the ground, resulting in dragging.

A speech disorder characterized by the inability to control the muscles needed to speak, causing slurred or incoherent speech.

A group of movement disorders causing involuntary and erratic movements of the face, arms, legs, and/or trunk. The primary symptom of dyskinetic cerebral palsy (see: Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy).

A type of involuntary muscle contraction that engages large muscle groups to result in uncontrollable movements and postures, often painful. Commonly observed in the neck muscles (see: Cervical Dystonia).

A neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures and repeated abnormal electrical firings in the brain, often stemming from brain damage at birth (see: Neonatal Seizures).

The ability to perform small, precise movements such as buttoning clothes, writing, typing, or holding eating utensils.

The action or ability to bend a limb at the joint, reducing the angle between bones. Opposite of extension.

A person’s manner of walking. Used to describe the way in which a person walks, runs, or moves on foot.

A system created by professors in the late 1990s used to categorize a person’s severity of disability based on their control over motor control. Comprised of five levels, increasing with the severity of impairment.

A type of feeding tube surgically inserted into a person’s stomach to directly deliver food, fluids, and medications in the event of a feeding problem such as swallowing disorders. Short for gastronomy tube (see: Newborn G-Tube).

A condition characterized by paralysis ("plegia") or complete loss of motor function on one half ("hemi") of the body. Often the result of damage to the areas of the brain that control muscle movements (see: Hemiplegia).

A condition characterized by increased muscle tone, causing stiffness and difficulties moving. Opposite of hypotonia.

A condition characterized by decreased or the lack of muscle tone, causing floppiness and the inability to stand or support the weight of oneself. Opposite of hypertonia.

A form of brain damage caused by a reduction in oxygen (hypoxia) and blood flow (ischemia). The leading cause of cerebral palsy (see: What is Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy?)

A form of cerebral palsy characterized by injuries to multiple parts of the brain at once. Often comes with symptoms of multiple types of cerebral palsy (see: Mixed Cerebral Palsy).

A form of paralysis affecting a single limb, such as an arm or a foot.

The abilities to control body movements to perform specific tasks. Made possible through brain neurons firing electrical signals through the central nervous system, causing muscle contractions that produce movement.

The continuous state of tension, contraction, and resistance within the muscle fibers in the body. Helps to maintain posture and movement.

A nerve cell responsible for transmitting signals through the body to facilitate actions such as movement and thinking.

A specialized form of therapy to help a child practice everyday movement and actions such as walking, writing, dressing, cooking, opening doors, and other tasks relevant to their life (see: Occupational Therapy).

A specialized form of therapy to help a child engage in muscle-strengthening tasks to improve mobility, balance, and posture (see: Physical Therapy).

The most severe form of paralysis affecting all 4 main limbs of the body. Will more than likely require the use of assistive devices and equipment for mobility.

An involuntary automatic action or movement in response to a stimulus.

A minimally invasive medical procedure where nerve rootlets in the spinal cord that are identified to be sending abnormal messages are severed, aiming to permanently reduce spasticity. Can lessen the long-term effects of high muscle tone on bones and joints (see: Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy).

Referring to muscle or group of muscles in a state of contraction and staying contracted for an extended period. An extreme form of hypertonia.

A manner of walking with the legs crossing over each other with each step.

An unnatural curvature of the spine. Can develop temporarily during growth spurts or as the result of bad posture from prolonged periods of sitting or arching the back.

An abnormal muscle movement pattern where the muscles in the body randomly contract and tighten. A state of hypertonia where muscle tone is increased, resulting in stiffness and difficulty moving. The defining symptom of spastic cerebral palsy (see: Spastic Cerebral Palsy).

A specialized form of therapy to help a child develop the most appropriate and functional communication skills and improve their ability to speak and feed competently (see: Speech Therapy).

A type of movement disorder that cause parts of the body to shake uncontrollably. Can affect all parts of the body, including the voice. A common symptom of ataxic cerebral palsy (see: Ataxic Cerebral Palsy).