Cerebral Palsy

A Disability Presentation
By: Jemon Golfin
DIG 6817
About Cerebral Palsy
What is Cerebral Palsy?
● Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to
move and maintain balance and posture
● CP is the most common motor disability in childhood
● Cerebral - having to do with the brain
● Palsy - weakness or problems with using the muscles.
What are the Types of Cerebral Palsy?
● 4 main types
● Spastic Cerebral Palsy
○ Most common type (80% of CP cases)
○ Increased muscle tone
○ Stiff muscles, awkward movement
○ 3 types: Diplegia (legs), Hemiplegia (one side of body), Quadriplegia (most severe; all 4 limbs,
trunk, face)
● Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
○ Problems controlling movement of hands, arms, feet, and legs
○ Difficult to sit and/or walk
○ Muscle tone changes constantly (day-to-day or during the day)
What are the Types of Cerebral Palsy? (Continued)
● Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
○ Problems with balance or coordination
○ Unsteady walking, struggle with quick movements or writing
● Mixed Cerebral Palsy
○ Symptoms of more than one type of Cerebral Palsy
○ Spastic-Dyskinetic most common
What Might Cause Cerebral Palsy?
● Caused by abnormal development of the brain or damage to the developing
brain that affects a child’s ability to control his or her muscles.
● Abnormal development can happen before birth, during birth, within a month
after birth, or during the first years of a child’s life
● Small number of cases due to lack of Oxygen during birth process
● In most cases, specific cause is unknown
Treatments for Cerebral Palsy?
● There is no cure for Cerebral Palsy
● Treatment can improve the lives of those with the condition (especially if
started early)
● Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
○ Part B: services for school-age children (3 - 21)
■ Physical, occupational, speech therapy
■ Adaptive equipment, special communication systems
○ Part C: early intervention services (through age 36 months)
■ Assistive tech, transportation
■ Physical, occupational, speech therapy
Technologies to Support Those with Cerebral Palsy
● Wheelchairs (full body support)
● Arm/Knee/Leg Braces (help provide joint and limb support)
● Kinetic Sand (practice pressing, squeezing, rolling, smashing, building,
creative thinking)
● Trampoline (practice balance and motor skills)
● Stacking Blocks (practice motor skills, patience, creativity)
● Musical Instruments (practice coordination and mood improvement)
Famous People with Cerebral Palsy
● Josh Blue (Comedian)
○ Won season 4 of Last Comic Standing (2006)
○ "Make people aware of the fact that people with disabilities can make an impact"
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● Abby Nicole Curran (Pageant Winner & Founder)
○ Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at age 2
○ First Miss USA contestant with a disability (Iowa, 2008)
○ Founded Miss You Can Do It pageant for young girls with special needs
Famous People with Cerebral Palsy (Continued)
● RJ Mitte (Actor, Producer, Model, Activist)
○ Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy a age 3, used a leg brace until teens
○ Walter “Flynn” White Jr. on Breaking Bad
○ Spokesperson for actors with disabilities for Screen Actors Guild
Cerebral Palsy and Gaming
Games Designed for Those with Cerebral Palsy
● WonderTree Games
○ Improve upper body muscle strength and expand the range of motion
○ Enhance synchronize movements with greater precision
○ Enhance motor control, accuracy and efficiency
○ Boost cognitive performance in areas such as classification, retention and arrangement
○ Encourage and refine their ability to plan and organize movements, improve balance and help
with regulating balance
Gaming Devices for Those with Cerebral Palsy
● Smart Balls
○ Medical tool used for physical therapy, occupational therapy, coordination improvement, practicing
motor skills, and more
○ Includes games targeted at a specific type condition of Cerebral Palsy
○ Squishing, squeezing, rolling, balancing
[Rubix Alternative Controller]
● Stationary, height adjustable controller
● Easy to press, access buttons
● Simple quarter petal movement for in-game movement
Any Comments, Questions, or Thoughts?
Sources
● CDC: Cerebral Palsy
● CDC: IDEA
● 9 Famous People with Cerebral Palsy
● Games for Cerebral Palsy
● Wonder Tree Games
Thank you!