Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects how a person moves and controls their muscles. It happens because the brain did not develop in the usual way before or shortly after birth.

Everyone with cerebral palsy is different—some may need help with movement or daily activities, while others may be very independent. It does not get worse over time, and with the right support, individuals can live full and meaningful livesCerebral palsy is linked to differences or injury in the developing brain, and the most common brain-related differences include:

• Damage to the motor areas of the brain, which are responsible for movement, posture, and muscle control.
• White matter injury (often called periventricular leukomalacia), which affects how brain signals travel and can impact coordination and muscle tone.
• Differences in brain development, where certain areas of the brain may not have formed in the typical way before birth
• Injury from lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain around the time of birth
• Brain bleeding or infections that occur before, during, or shortly after birth

These brain differences affect how the brain sends messages to the muscles, which is why cerebral palsy can impact movement and coordination. The exact differences vary from person to person, which is why cerebral palsy looks different for everyone.

Eligibility Disclaimer: The information provided on this page regarding qualifying diagnoses is for informational and educational purposes only. Endeavor HCBS is a contracted Qualified Vendor for the State of Arizona; however, final determination of eligibility for services is made solely by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) following a formal application and assessment process. Listing these diagnoses does not constitute a guarantee of service or a formal medical diagnosis.