Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disability caused by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while a child's brain is under development. It does not get worse over time, though exact symptoms can change over a person's lifetime. Cerebral Palsy affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance. It can also impact fine motor skills, gross motor skills and oral motor functioning. Every case of cerebral palsy is unique to the individual. The impairment caused by cerebral palsy is manageable. Treatment, therapy, surgery, medications and assistive technology can help maximize independence, reduce barriers, increase inclusion and lead to an enhanced quality of life.
The websites and resources listed are independent of the UC Davis MIND Institute and Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. We do our best to choose sites and resources which reflect inclusion of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities and people with varying identities and positionalities, however, some older material may contain language that is not preferred or is not appropriate so please review with caution. Resources are provided for information only and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of the UC Davis MIND Institute and Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.