Myths About Cerebral Palsy

Posted by Trishla Foundation on November 26th, 2019

Despite enormous methods to spread awareness about Cerebral Palsy (CP) in the world, many myths still surround this disorder. Many times, parents and other family relatives close to the affected child tend to be influenced by these. Therefore, here is a small attempt by the best doctor for cerebral palsy in India to bust these myths.

Myth#1- CP can be identified as a progressive disease.

Fact – CP is not progressive disorder. It is static encephalopathy. Some time confused with various other progressive & degenerative neurological diseases. The conditions of children affected by this disease get worse with age, which is not seen in CP. Disability in CP can change in severity according to environment, treatment.

Myth#2- Children affected by CP are not able to communicate.

Fact- Though many children are known to have hearing impairments and language disorders caused by CP, there still are more who don’t face these problems. Even the affected ones can get cured through speech therapy.

Myth#3- CP affects everyone in the same way. 

Fact – Every affected person with cerebral palsy is not similar. They can present in different ways according to severity, type of movement disorder etc. Several neurological disorders come under CP, which is really an umbrella term. The symptoms of each of these are different from the other. The main types of CP are as follows:

• Athetoid CP (Dyskinetic or Extrapyramidal)
• Spastic CP (Pyramidal)
• Ataxic CP
• Mixed CP

A child with spastic CP may find it difficult to control a particular arm, while another child with quadriplegia, where all four limbs have been severely affected.

Myth#4- People with CP will not be able to live independently.

Fact - While there are certain patients of CP (20%) who have to care for throughout their lives, there are other adults who live independently as well. Some of the adult patients may require limited help. Those living independently make use of:

• Modifications to home and workplace, like lower countertops for users of wheelchairs
• Transfer equipment, mobility aids, and other assistive technologies
• Assistance in personal care for household chores

Myth#5- Educational institutions will not admit students with CP.

Fact – cerebral palsy affected individual can’t be denied of education as per international law of education to all. It is necessary for most educational institutes to admit students, even if they are suffering from CP. Some colleges also offer assistance for such students.

Myth#6- CP always occurs as a result of doctoral malpractices.

Fact – cerebral palsy occur because of brain insults it can occur due to many reason in which we don’t know exact etio-pathogenesis so medical malpractice is not always are the causes of cerebral palsy.  CP is caused by brain damage before, after, or during a child’s birth. It may even be genetic due to a variation in the child’s DNA. It can be aggravated by inflammation, brain injury, or lack of oxygen.

Adults with CP can still have children on their own, in most cases. The condition is also not hereditary, so you can stop worrying about passing the same to your children. Get in touch with the best doctor for cerebral palsy in India for a thoroughly normal life.