Cerebral Palsy: Enhancing Movement Opportunity with Help from the Care Team

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral palsy can significantly impact the amount of physical activity and individual obtains, and the scope and quality of the physical activity may be limited by cerebral palsy. High-quality physical education can integrate children with cerebral palsy into movement programing, as to enable children with cerebral palsy to achieve goals related to cognitive skills associated with exploring physical health, maintaining physical health, as well as affective values towards physical health, movement, play, and general wellbeing. This article provides a basic overview of the physical characteristics of cerebral palsy, as well as outlines ways the child’s educational care-team can work with physical educators and physical therapist to enhance movement skills and health behavior.