Spastic Cerebral Palsy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Spastic Cerebral Palsy - Research Paper Example This may include either mainstream or special education system. In addition, the type of school system will be dependent on the needs of the child. The purpose of this paper is to define the disorder by discussing different dimensions that are pertained to it and the education system. Definition of the Cerebral Palsy disorder According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Cerebral Palsy disorder is a type of neurological disorder that manifests in the infancy stages and early childhood, enduringly affecting body functions and muscle dexterity such as moving limbs. This type of disorder does not get any worse overtime, but the conditions remain relative the same. The name Cerebral Palsy is derived form part of the brain that is affected, which is the cerebral cortex that is directly concerned with motor and muscle movement. On the other hand, palsy is a medical term that refers to the loss of motor function (NINDS Website). Therefore, Spastic Cerebra l Palsy is the type that causes one or more groups of muscles to tighten, thereby limiting physical movements. This type of condition renders children incapable of effectively controlling their movements such as moving from one location to another of holding items. Causes According to the NINDS, an array of researches carried out by NINDS scientists provide an understanding to the events that are suspected to cause and lead to Spastic Cerebral Palsy Disorder (SCPD). The following causes account to more than 90% whereas the remaining percentage is associated to birth complications such as asphyxia (deprivation of oxygen). First, NINDS and other researches indicate that injury to the brain’s white matter may lead to SCPD. When the brain’s white matter is damaged, it makes it difficult for the brain to communicate signals to the entire of the body, given that this is its primary function (white matter). Secondly, when the brain of an infant or child develops abnormally, i t presents the child the potential risk of acquiring SCPD. Disruption to the normal growth of a fetus brain such as genetic mutation and conditions such as infections and traumas among others can cause SCPD. Lastly, bleeding in the brain as a result of rupturing of blood vessels, which are caused by external forces during the early years of a child, can lead to SCPD. This bleeding may end impairing the cerebral cortex, thus affecting the motor function a child. Prevalence As stated earlier, SCPD is the most common type of cerebral palsy and is indiscriminate of social- economic status, race or gender. However, various studies and researches such as the one done by the Institute of Health Science in England in the 1970’s and 1980’s indicate that the rate of prevalence is higher among the children who weigh less than 1.5 kilograms. This research was conducted in Europe among 14 centers in13 geographical regions. A similar study conducted in 1970’s and 1980’ s in Atlanta by Winter et al (2002), indicate that the prevalence rate was high among infants with less than 1.5 kg, although, within the same period, there was high increase of SCP cases among the normal weighed children. Therefore, these researches imply that SCPD is prevalent among infants and more specially those who are low weight of less than 1.5kg.