What is Cerebral Palsy ?
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement, muscle tone, and posture. It’s caused by damage to the developing brain, usually before or shortly after birth, and while the condition doesn’t worsen over time, the challenges it presents can change as a child grows. In addition to difficulties with movement, children with CP may also experience issues with sensation, perception, thinking, communication, and behaviour. Some may also have epilepsy or develop muscle and joint problems as secondary effects of their condition.
CP is the most common physical disability of childhood. The rate of CP is falling though, and severity is lessening. This is due to improvements in prenatal healthcare, research and understanding about the risk factors and causes of CP and improvements in early diagnosis and intervention.
Diagnosing CP
Diagnosing cerebral palsy often begins when parents or healthcare providers notice delays in a child’s motor development, such as difficulty holding up their head, rolling, sitting, or walking. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical exams, and sometimes brain imaging to understand the extent and cause of the movement difficulties.
Once a diagnosis is made – or even when CP is only suspected – physiotherapy often becomes one of the first recommended interventions. Early physiotherapy helps support a child’s development, prevent secondary complications, and lay the foundation for better long-term outcomes. In many cases, physiotherapists are also involved in the early assessment process, using their expertise in movement to help guide both diagnosis and treatment planning.
Types of CP
CP is categorised based on the type of movement difficulties experienced:
- Spastic CP (70–80% of cases): Characterised by stiff, tight muscles and difficulty with voluntary movements.
- Dyskinetic CP (around 6%): Involves involuntary movements, which may be writhing or jerky.
- Ataxic CP (around 6%): Affects coordination and balance, often resulting in shaky or unsteady movements.
- Mixed CP: A combination of symptoms from different types.
CP can also be described based on the body regions affected:
- Hemiplegia: One side of the body (arm and leg) is affected.
- Diplegia: Primarily affects the legs, often seen in children born prematurely.
- Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia: Involves all four limbs and often affects the trunk, face, and muscles used for speaking or swallowing.
Understanding both the type and distribution of CP helps physiotherapists design a treatment plan that targets each child’s specific needs, whether it’s improving walking, strengthening one side of the body, or supporting full-body mobility.
The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)
The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) is widely used to categorise the severity of movement limitations in children with CP. It ranges from:
- Level I: Walks independently with minimal limitations.
- Level V: Requires full assistance or a wheelchair for mobility.
The GMFCS does not reflect cognitive ability or future potential but helps guide goal-setting, treatment planning, and communication between families, therapists, and educators.
The role of Physiotherapy for Cerebral Palsy
Physiotherapy is a key part of care for children with cerebral palsy because it helps them build the strength, mobility, and coordination they need to move more easily and independently. Since CP affects how the body moves and grows, regular physiotherapy can prevent problems like muscle stiffness, joint tightness, or poor posture from getting worse over time. It also supports important developmental milestones – like sitting, standing, and walking – and helps children participate more fully in daily life, from playtime to school activities. Perhaps just as importantly, physiotherapy boosts confidence by helping children experience what their bodies can do.
Every child with CP is unique, and physiotherapy programs are tailored to suit their individual needs. However, there are several core interventions that commonly form part of a treatment plan:
- Gross Motor Skill Development
Helping children build foundational movements like crawling, walking, and sitting through structured play and exercises. - Muscle Strengthening and Stretching
Managing spasticity and weakness with targeted exercises to improve muscle balance and posture. - Balance and Coordination Training
Using fun, functional tasks like obstacle courses to enhance stability and control. - Gait Training
Supporting walking ability with tools like treadmills, mobility aids, or parallel bars. - Assistive Devices and Equipment
Collaborating with other professionals to prescribe orthotics, mobility aids, or adaptive seating. - Parent and Caregiver Education
Empowering families with tools, exercises, and positioning advice to continue therapy at home.
Supporting Every Step of the Journey
Physiotherapy is about more than just exercises — it’s about celebrating progress, building trust, and empowering individuals and families. At Ohana Physiotherapy, we’re proud to support people of all ages living with cerebral palsy across the Gold Coast and Tweed regions. Our care is guided by compassion, clinical expertise, and a commitment to helping each person reach their potential.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or your child, our experienced team is here to help.
Get in touch to learn more about how we can support you or your loved one with cerebral palsy.