National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day Date in the current year: March 25, 2025

The term cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of movement disorders that develop in early childhood and affect more than 17 million people worldwide. It results from abnormal brain development or damage to areas responsible for movement, balance and posture. The majority of children have congenital CP (present at birth), and a small number have acquired CP, which can be caused by brain damage, brain infections, head injuries, or problems with blood flow to the brain. The exact cause of CP is often unknown.

Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood disability, characterized by symptoms such as poor coordination, muscle stiffness or weakness, tremors, and difficulties with hearing, vision, sensation, speech, and learning. Seizures and intellectual disability are also common. The impact of CP varies, with affected children experiencing a range of physical and cognitive challenges:

• 75% experience pain
• 50% have intellectual disability
• 33% are unable to walk
• 25% are unable to speak
• 25% experience seizures
• 25% have a behavioral disorder
• 25% have bladder control issues
• 20% have trouble controlling salivation
• 20% have a sleep disorder
• 10% have severe vision impairment

There are several types of cerebral palsy depending on the extent, type, and location of the symptoms. They include spastic CP (mainly characterized by increased muscle tone), dyskinetic CP (mainly characterized by involuntary movements), ataxic CP (mainly characterized by poor coordination and unsteady gait), and mixed types (a mixture of symptoms corresponding to different types of CP).

While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, various treatments and management strategies can improve quality of life. These may include physical, speech, and occupational therapy; medications to reduce muscle stiffness and treat associated conditions; surgery; and assistive technology. The primary goal of CP management is to maximize independence and community engagement.

With appropriate care, some people with cerebral palsy can live a nearly typical adult life, although outcomes depend on the severity of symptoms. For example, when it comes to walking, 60% of children with CP will be able to walk in most or all situations, 10% will walk with a mobility aid, and 30% will use a wheelchair in some or all situations.

National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day was created in 2006 by Cynthia Frisina of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Its main goal is to highlight the lack of research and progress in the treatment of CP despite it being the most common lifelong physical disability. You can get involved by wearing green (the CP awareness color) to show your support for the cause, raising awareness on social media using the hashtag #GoGreen4CP, and donating to an organization that supports people living with CP and their families.