Should I Worry About Cerebral Palsy

Well Rehab • September 25, 2020
Cerebral Palsy in Malaysia

Yes and no. Surely you've heard about cerebral palsy or met a friend or an acquaintance, whereby one of their family members suffers from this condition.

 

You may have also noticed that there’s a limit to their movement and often require help to maintain their balance and posture. 

 

Well, here’s what you need to know about the condition.

 

Cerebral palsy is a brain disorder which affects a person’s ability to move and maintain their balance and posture over time.


This motor disability is caused by damage to the developing brain which affects 1 to 2 of every 2,000 babies born and is 10 times more frequent in babies who are born premature or with low birth weight.

 

While it’s not a life-threatening condition, caring for a person with this disorder requires the highest level of patience and long-term support as easy and simple daily tasks such as eating, drinking and cleaning can prove to be difficult for them.

 

The exact cause of this disorder remains unknown and its symptoms vary from person to person. This depends on the severity of the damage incurred by the brain during its early development stage.


The Malaysian Health Ministry (MOH) believes that it’s due to the immaturity of the circulatory system and lack of oxygen supply to the developing brain.

 

Before we look into the symptoms of cerebral palsy, let’s understand the different types of cerebral palsy and how it affects a person’s motor ability.


What are the types of cerebral palsy?


Cerebral palsy can be classified into four depending on which section of the brain is affected.


They are spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and mixed cerebral palsy.

 

1. Spastic cerebral palsy


About 65% of every case diagnosed in Malaysia suffer from spastic cerebral palsy as increased muscle tone and stiff, tight muscles can cause their movements to be awkward. Spastic cerebral palsy can further be classified into three:


  • Spastic hemiplegia – Affects the muscles on one side of the body, with the arms more affected than the legs.
  • Spastic diplegia – Affects legs muscles more than the arms. 
  • Spastic quadriplegia – Affects the muscles in both the arms and legs.

 

Should you come across a person with spastic quadriplegia, bear in mind that they’re living with the most severe condition of cerebral palsy which affects their brain’s development and motor abilities.

 

2. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy


Also known as athetoid cerebral palsy, this type of cerebral palsy affects around 10% of every case diagnosed in our country. It’s a condition in which a person suffers from abnormal muscle contractions causing involuntary movements which can be slow and writhing or quick and jerky. They may also have trouble speaking and eating as dyskinetic cerebral palsy affects the upper body more than the lower body.

 

3. Ataxic cerebral palsy


As the least common type of cerebral palsy (5% of all cases) in Malaysia, ataxic cerebral palsy affects a person’s ability to have full control of their bodily movements. This means that they have trouble with coordinating and balancing their movements. They may also experience tremors when attempting any voluntary movement which requires fine motor skills such as writing.

 

4. Mixed cerebral palsy


No one person with cerebral palsy suffers from the same type of condition. That said, there are people who suffer from more than one type of cerebral palsy which accounts for 20% of all cerebral palsy in Malaysia. 

 

Spastic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the most common combination while the least common one is ataxic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy.



What are the signs or symptoms of cerebral palsy?


Depending on the severity of the damage incurred by the brain, the symptoms for each type of cerebral palsy may vary for each person and can range from mild to severe.

 

The signs may either appear in a person’s early life stage or later in their life.

 

The common signs of cerebral palsy in children include:


  • Delays in motor skills such as crawling, sitting up, or rolling over;
  • Muscle stiffness;
  • Delays in speech and language skills;
  • Trouble balancing and coordinating their movements;
  • Difficulty in swallowing and chewing, causing excessive drooling;
  • Sudden convulsions;
  • Breathing difficulties;
  • Occasional paralysis;
  • Tremors or involuntary movements.

 

While most children are born with cerebral palsy, the symptoms don’t appear until the later stages of their early life. If you suspect that your child suffers from cerebral palsy, it's best to bring them for professional diagnosis and screening.

 

Early diagnosis and treatment can help maximize the full potential of your child’s rehabilitation, allowing them to be independent.


Can therapy help improve the condition?


At present, there is no cure for cerebral palsy as it’s a brain disorder which may occur before, during or after birth. It’s a life-long condition but not a life-threatening one, which can be treated to improve the person’s quality of life gradually.


Treatments include assistive aids, medications, therapy, and surgery.

 

To maximize your child’s full potential, therapy works to do just that.


Before any treatment, a professional therapist will conduct a comprehensive assessment to evaluate a person’s motor abilities and identify areas of concern.

 

They will then suggest a suitable treatment to enhance various developmental skills such as speech and motor.

 

For your child to experience a normal life, early treatment such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy can help relieve physical pain, increase muscle strength, and improve learning and communicating skills.

 

It’s not the end of the world if your child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. They can still live a normal life if given the proper and accurate diagnosis and treatment.

 

Well Rehabilitation Center in Malaysia provides a number of therapies which will be customized based on your child’s needs.

 

For more information about our therapies or services, you may contact us at +60 12 512 8487 or email wellrehabmanagement@gmail.com.

The Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Special Needs Children in Malaysia

By Wei Qing Lee • June 23, 2024
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How Occupational Therapy Supports Special Needs Education in Malaysian Schools

By Wei Qing Lee • June 23, 2024
Special needs education in Malaysia is evolving, with an increasing emphasis on integrating occupational therapy (OT) into the school system. This approach not only supports the educational needs of special needs children but also enhances their overall development. This article delves into how occupational therapy supports special needs education in Malaysian schools, helping both teachers and students achieve better educational outcomes. Integration in Schools Occupational therapy in schools involves the collaboration of occupational therapists with educators to create an inclusive learning environment. Therapists work within the school setting to assess students' needs, develop individualized intervention plans, and implement strategies that support learning and participation in school activities. Support for Teachers and Students Helping Teachers Adapt Lessons One of the critical roles of occupational therapists in schools is to assist teachers in adapting lessons to meet the needs of special needs students. This can involve modifying classroom activities, providing alternative teaching materials, and suggesting strategies to manage sensory and behavioral issues. By making these adjustments, teachers can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Providing Students with Coping Strategies Occupational therapists equip students with strategies to cope with classroom challenges. This can include sensory integration techniques to help children manage sensory overload, exercises to improve focus and attention, and tools to enhance fine motor skills required for writing and other tasks. These strategies enable students to participate more fully in classroom activities and improve their academic performance. Programs and Initiatives Several programs and initiatives in Malaysian schools incorporate occupational therapy to support special needs education. These programs often involve multidisciplinary teams working together to address the diverse needs of students. For example, schools may have dedicated sensory rooms designed by occupational therapists to provide a safe and controlled environment for children to manage sensory issues. Additionally, collaborative efforts between therapists and educators ensure that each child's unique needs are met through personalized education plans.  Conclusion Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in supporting special needs education in Malaysian schools. By helping teachers adapt lessons and providing students with coping strategies, occupational therapists contribute to a more inclusive and effective educational environment. The integration of OT into the school system ensures that special needs children receive the support they need to succeed academically and develop essential life skills. For parents and educators, recognizing the value of occupational therapy can make a significant difference in the educational journey of special needs children.

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