What is mild? - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

New Step Mom · 08-14-2006, 09:27 AM

I have a new stepdaughter that has CP and I dont know a lot about it. Her dad says it is a mild case, but I read things on here with people who function 200% more than she does. She can walk and talk and sometimes dress herself, cant write and bites herself and hits when she is angry. She has some mild seizures and walks with her back side stuck out and limps (doesnt have 100% function on one side). She is very moody also and seems to have seperation anxiety when she is away from one of her parents. I dont know what question I am getting to here, except does anyone have any advise... I dont know how to handle these issues ..especially the hitting and biting (she did nerve damage when she bit me once).

Steffers2318 · 08-14-2006, 09:45 AM

Hello,

The "walks with her backside stuck out and limps" sounds like contractures due to the CP, which basically means that the muscles are tight from the spasticity (contracting all the time). That may be why she can't write as well, if she has spasticity in her hand(s). Terms like "mild" are sort of too vague when talking about CP, but I'm guessing her's is called that just because she can walk.

As for the biting and seperation anxiety, IMO those probably don't have anything to do with the CP, unless she has mental/learning problems as well.

Malwm01 · 08-14-2006, 11:54 AM

Cerebral Palsy is a movement disorder, caused by brain damage. So, yeah, your stepdaughter's doctors would say she has mild hemiplegic CP, because she can walk, talk and some times, dress herself and it seems to affect her one side most.

As for the aggressive behavior/anxiety, it not part of the having CP because it doesn't pertain to movement. However, it could be caused by brain damage (like her seizures,) or some other mental/psychological issue.

How old is your stepdaughter? I'm curious, is she receiving any intervention, through the school or some outside program? Anything?

Jo-Lynn · 08-14-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffers2318

Hello,

The "walks with her backside stuck out and limps" sounds like contractures due to the CP, which basically means that the muscles are tight from the spasticity (contracting all the time). That may be why she can't write as well, if she has spasticity in her hand(s). Terms like "mild" are sort of too vague when talking about CP, but I'm guessing her's is called that just because she can walk.

As for the biting and seperation anxiety, IMO those probably don't have anything to do with the CP, unless she has mental/learning problems as well.

I agree with this response. I have been termed as having mild CP and now as a 35 yr old woman, I know that I am high functioning. I walk (unaided until last year) and I drive a car. My speech is unaffected and my children are healthy. I am working in the social work field and have had some experience with mental disorders and such. I don't think that biting and agression and moodswings are a direct derivative from having CP. It is possible she feels frustrated being trapped in a body that doesn't move as fluidly as she imagines/wants it to and this is the only way she can get her frustrations out.

Kudos to you for joining this board to educate yourself on your step daughters CP.

Good luck on your journey.

Jo-Lynn

JellyRJFan · 08-14-2006, 02:50 PM

I don't have any advice to offer, but for what it's worth the term "mild" means jack-squat to me!