Here are some of the terms you might hear from medical and other professionals in the field of cerebral palsy. Scope does not, however, endorse the use of medical terminology as a labelling device.

This list is by no means exhaustive and is regularly reviewed. Click on the links for further information.

ADL ‘Activity of daily living' usually used in the plural form to refer to self-care activities such as washing and bathing

Acalculia Form of aphasia demonstrated by an inability to do the most simple calculations

Abduction Movement of a limb outwards and away from the midline of the body

Adduction Movement of a limb inwards and towards the midline of the body

Aetiology The study of what is known about the cause of a disease

Agnosia Inability to recognise objects or sounds due to lack of perceptive capacity, although general intelligence is normal

Ambulatory Able to walk

Ankle-foot Orthosis (AFO) A brace used to stretch the Achilles tendon worn on the lower leg and foot to support the ankle, hold the foot and ankle in the correct position and correct foot drop. It is a thin, light plastic material. This is individually moulded and needs replacement as the child grows

Aphasia General term for language disorders (reading, writing, speaking or comprehension of written or spoken words) due to cerebral dysfunction

Apraxia/Dyspraxia Inability to perform purposeful movements where muscle weakness is not apparent (not related to paralysis or lack of comprehension and usually refers to total loss rather than impairment)

Asphyxia Failure or prevention of respiratory process due to obstruction of air flow, lack of oxygen in the blood or lack of oxygen in atmosphere

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy A form of cerebral palsy characterised by Ataxia, problems with balance, co-ordination, shaky hand movements and jerky speech

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy A form of cerebral palsy characterised by Athetosis, involuntary movements resulting from the rapid change in muscle tone from floppy to tense

Audiologist A professional who works with people who have hearing difficulties

Baclofen Drug used as muscle relaxant - see Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy

Basal Ganglia Middle area of the brain

Bobath Therapy Physical therapy which aims to improve posture and movement

Botulinum Toxin A Drug which can reduce spasticity (tightness) in muscles - - see Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy

Central Nervous System Consists of the spinal cord and the brain. The brain receives and processes signals delivered through the spinal cord, and then sends directive signals to the body

Cerebral Palsy A disorder of movement and posture due to a non-progressive damage or lesion to the immature brain

Cerebellum Area of the brain which controls balance and muscle tone

Cerebral Cortex Outer layer of the brain in which thought processes take place

Cerebral Thrombosis Formation of blood clot in an artery of the brain

Chorea Uncontrollable, small, jerky movements, usually of toes and fingers [particularly affecting the head, face or limbs]

Choreoathetosis Involuntary movements showing features of both chorea and athetosis

Clonus A muscle spasm in which the muscle relaxes and contracts in rapid succession resulting in a shaking or trembling movement

Conductive Education A holistic learning system which can enable some children with cerebral palsy to function more independently

Congenital ‘Present at birth' i.e. a condition which originates prenatally

Contractures Permanent shortening of muscle and tendon resulting from spastic tightening of muscles over a long period

CT/ CAT Scan Diagnostic technique using a combination of computer and X-rays [Computed Axial Tomography]. This provides cross-sectional images of tissue which are clearer and more detailed than X-rays alone with minimal exposure to radiation

Diplegia Where both legs are affected but the arms are not [or less so]

Dolphin Therapy Therapeutic interaction with dolphins

Dorsiflexion Lifting of the foot/toes or hand/fingers towards the body

Dysarthria Imperfect production of the sounds used in speech due to lack of muscle control from damage to the peripheral nervous system

Dyskinesia Abnormality of movement/impairment of the power of voluntary movement resulting in fragmentation or incomplete movements

Dyskinetic CP See athetoid cerebral palsy

Dysphagia Difficulty in swallowing

Dysphasia Inability to understand spoken or written work due to cerebral lesion - [less severe than Aphasia]

Dyspraxia/Apraxia Difficulty in carrying out purposeful movements to order, which is not related to muscle weakness [or comprehension]

Dystonia Muscle tone fluctuates between stiffness and floppiness/slow twisting repetitive movements of arm, leg, trunk

Electromyography A test that measures muscle activity to stimulation of the nerves, often used in clinical diagnosis of muscle disorders

Encephalitis Inflammation of the brain, usually resulting from viral or bacterial infection

Epilepsy Abnormal electrical activity in the brain which causes seizures of varying degree

Equinus Abnormality of foot which prevents normal weight-bearing

Etiology See Aetiology

Fine motor movements Small muscle movements, often of the hand [e.g. writing]

Flexion Bending of parts of the body

Function A clinical term usually referring to an ability or skill required to carry out an activity of daily living [see ADL]

Fundoplication Surgical treatment involving suturing (stitching of the fundus of the stomach) usually used in cases of hiatus hernia or Gastro-esophageal Reflux

GABA (Gamma Chemical produced by the brain to relax Aminobutyric Acid) muscles (lacking in those with spasticity)

Gait How an individual walks

Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Regurgitation of stomach contents into the oesophagus

Gastrostomy Surgical procedure to allow insertion of tube for feeding purposes

Gross motor movements Large muscle movements [e.g. walking]

Hip dislocation In children with spasticity the thigh bone [femur] can gradually be pulled out of its socket where it connects with the hip - this is treated surgically

Haemorrhage Uncontrolled bleeding

Hemiplegia Where one side of the body is affected by paralysis

Hydrocephalus Water on the brain

Hyperkinesis Abnormally increased muscle movement/spasm

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy used in the treatment of a variety of conditions delivered in a pressurised chamber

Hypertonia Too much muscle tone leading to stiffness

Hypotonia Too little muscle tone leading to floppiness

Hypoxia Term used when the brain or other tissue is not receiving adequate oxygen

Intrathecal Baclofen Method of administering Baclofen (a muscle relaxant) internally. This is used to treat spasticity

Ischaemia When the amount of blood flowing through the brain or other tissue is diminished

Intraventricular Haemorrhage Bleeding into the normal fluid spaces (ventricles) within the brain

Kinaesthesia Perception and understanding of where one's limbs and body are in space and in relation to other objects

Lycra Dynamic Splinting A material suit that supports the body while allowing function

Meningitis Inflammation of the lining of the brain and/or spinal cord

Monoplegia Impairment of one limb

Motor Of movement

MRI Diagnostic technique [Magnetic Resonance Imaging] providing cross-sectional/three-dimensional images which are more detailed than CT/CAT Scans - uses electro-magnetic field and radio waves [no X-rays or other radiation involved]

Muscle tone The amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle

Neonatal Newly born [first four weeks of life]

Neurologist A doctor who specialises in impairments of the brain and nervous system

Neurosurgery Surgery to the nervous system and its supporting structures e.g. brain, spinal cord or nerve

Occupational Therapy Therapy involving evaluation and treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions. Occupational Therapists also advise on equipment needs

Orthoptist Professional working with people who have visual problems and abnormal eye movements

Orthotist Professional who specialises in the supply and fitting of aids and equipment to help improve mobility, provide support, such as wheelchairs, special shoes, splints

Paraplegia Impairment of legs only

Perinatal Referring to the period from 28th week of pregnancy to 28th day after birth

Physiotherapy Treatment of disorders of movement and function by methods such as exercise, manipulation, heat or ultrasound

Quadriplegia All four limbs affected

Range of motion Refers to the flexibility of joints such as elbows and ankles

Reflex Automatic unconscious movement in response to stimulus

Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy A neurosurgical technique used in the treatment of spasticity in the lower limbs

Sensory Referring to part of nervous system that receives and interprets signals through senses [sight / touch / smell / hearing / taste]

Scoliosis Abnormal curvature of the spine usually in an S shape

Spastic cerebral palsy The most common form of cerebral palsy where some muscles become very stiff and weak

Spatial Relationship of one thing to another in space, learned through vision and movement

Spatial perception Appreciation of size, distance and relationship between objects

Speech and Language Therapy Therapy to assist with communication, eating and drinking difficulties 

Tendonotomy Surgical cutting of tendon to relieve spasticity

Tetraplegia Impairment of all four limbs and body [as in quadriplegia]

Tone Natural sustained tension in muscle

Tonic Sustained tension in a limb

Tremor Rhythmic, involuntary, trembling or quivering movements of parts of the body

Triplegia Impairment of three limbs

Uteroplacental Insufficiency (UPI) where blood flow to the placenta is impaired, so that there is a risk that inadequate amounts of nutrients or oxygen are delivered to the foetus

Visual Acuity Clarity of vision

Visual Memory Ability to retain and reproduce shapes seen briefly