Associated Disorders
There are secondary factors contributing to the impairment of the child. These include oral motor dysfunction; an inability to control facial muscles leading to difficulty swallowing, breathing, and communicating. It is important to recognize that each individual has unique varying degrees of impairment.
Cognitive impairment
Of all associative disorders, cognitive impairment is the most detrimental on functional outcomes. Mixed type CP and severe spastic quadriplegia demonstrate the most significant impairments. Spastic hemiplegia and diplegia children have average intelligence, and athetoid-type has the least occurrence of cognitive impairment (Molnar & Alexaner; Porter & Kaplan, 2009)
Seizure disorder
Seizure disorders are most common in spastic hemiplegia and quadraplegia, and least common in spastic diplegia and athetosis. Partial seizures were the most common type and children with a cognitive impairment had a higher frequency of seizure disorder (Atchison & Dirette, 2012).
Visual and hearing impairment
Visual and hearing impairments occur at a greater rate in children with cerebral palsy than in the general population.
Visual impairments include:
- Strabismus
- Nystagmus
- Homonymous hemianopsia
Hearing impairments in cerebral palsy include:
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Conductive hearing loss
- Middle ear infection
Oral Motor
Dysarthria may result if oral musculature is affected. Functional communication is affected and alternate forms of communication are often necessary. Impaired oral sensation and control causes drooling, difficulties chewing and swallowing.
Gastrointestinal
A study by Elsvier, 1999, reported that 92% of individuals with CP had co-existing gastrointestinal problems, including, difficulty swallowing, regurgitating, abdominal pain, and chronic constipation. Children with cerebral palsy are at risk for undernourishment, due to difficulties with oral movement requiring unusual diets. Constipation is common due to decreased mobility and exercise.
PulmonaryIndividuals with more severe motor impairments such as spastic quadriplegia often develop scoliosis or other spinal deformities that may impact respiration. The respiration muscles themselves may be affected and complications involving upper respiratory infections, aspiration pneumonia, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia may appear.
Please refer to the following link for more information on associated disorders: http://www.associatedconditionsofcerebralpalsy.com/
Cognitive impairment
Of all associative disorders, cognitive impairment is the most detrimental on functional outcomes. Mixed type CP and severe spastic quadriplegia demonstrate the most significant impairments. Spastic hemiplegia and diplegia children have average intelligence, and athetoid-type has the least occurrence of cognitive impairment (Molnar & Alexaner; Porter & Kaplan, 2009)
Seizure disorder
Seizure disorders are most common in spastic hemiplegia and quadraplegia, and least common in spastic diplegia and athetosis. Partial seizures were the most common type and children with a cognitive impairment had a higher frequency of seizure disorder (Atchison & Dirette, 2012).
Visual and hearing impairment
Visual and hearing impairments occur at a greater rate in children with cerebral palsy than in the general population.
Visual impairments include:
- Strabismus
- Nystagmus
- Homonymous hemianopsia
Hearing impairments in cerebral palsy include:
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Conductive hearing loss
- Middle ear infection
Oral Motor
Dysarthria may result if oral musculature is affected. Functional communication is affected and alternate forms of communication are often necessary. Impaired oral sensation and control causes drooling, difficulties chewing and swallowing.
Gastrointestinal
A study by Elsvier, 1999, reported that 92% of individuals with CP had co-existing gastrointestinal problems, including, difficulty swallowing, regurgitating, abdominal pain, and chronic constipation. Children with cerebral palsy are at risk for undernourishment, due to difficulties with oral movement requiring unusual diets. Constipation is common due to decreased mobility and exercise.
PulmonaryIndividuals with more severe motor impairments such as spastic quadriplegia often develop scoliosis or other spinal deformities that may impact respiration. The respiration muscles themselves may be affected and complications involving upper respiratory infections, aspiration pneumonia, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia may appear.
Please refer to the following link for more information on associated disorders: http://www.associatedconditionsofcerebralpalsy.com/