People with cerebral palsy are also called as 'Spastics' by layman. It is a motor (physical ) disability in children because of damage (insult) to the developing nervous system, especially the brain, and it does not progress because of the nature of the etiological biochemical and biochemical factors. The common factors are premature delivery, asphyxia neonatorum, delayed birth cry, severe neonatal jaundice, head injury due to forceps delivery, meningitis, encephalitis, etc

This condition can develop from the time of development of nervous system in womb first few weeks of gestation to the age of 12 years. Any non-progressive insult after this age should not be called as cerebral palsy even if it is a motor disability

Cerebral palsy is not a disease but a condition like blindness. The children and adults having this condition should not be called as cerebral palsy children but children having cerebral palsy. Similarly for blindness, one should speak person is having blindness and not to call him blind person

There are around 7 and 25 lakh people with this condition in USA and India respectively. The incidence all over the would varies from 0.6 to 6 per thousand live births. In India, roughly 150 children per day sustain insult to brain, survive and develop cerebral palsy. There are hardly any multi disciplinary centres and not enough number of professionals to cater to the need of these physically and some what mentally challenged children and adults

The extent of damage to the brain determines severity of cerebral palsy which can be mild, moderate or severe

The determination of severity and type of cerebral palsy is important from the treatment, habilitation and goals point of view. The children and adults may have associated conditions too. they also play an important role in habilitation of the person. Following are such conditions - seizures, squint, refractive error, mental sub normality, learning disability, behavioral disturbances, drooling, speech abnormality, etc

Organic shortening of muscles (contracture), subluxation or dislocation of joints especially the hip joint, demineralization of bones and fracture of bones, pains in musculoskeletal system. Most of these problems occur at the time of spurt of growth i.e. adolescent and teen age. At this time, psychological disturbance have also been noticed both in boys and girls. However, girls suffer with another burden of menses also. This is the time when whole family may sustain psychological trauma. Because of all these problems, there is difficult handling and socialization

These people have insecure future, especially in developing countries like India, due to financial constraints and meagre habilitation facilities. Every one has to join hands like a responsible person and improve the condition of these children