Neurological disorders and injuries

Cerebral Palsy

A group of conditions affecting movement and coordination due to early brain development differences.
  • enableDex
  • disAbility Atlas
      • Cerebral Palsy

About

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and coordination. It is caused by brain damage that happens early in life, usually before or during birth, or shortly after birth. The severity of CP can vary, and it can affect one or both sides of the body.

This condition is often invisible.

Many disabilities, including this one, may not have outward signs—people can be significantly impacted even if they appear “fine” on the outside.

Common Challenges

  • Difficulty with mobility and movement
  • Challenges with fine motor skills (writing, typing)
  • Communication problems (difficulty speaking or understanding speech)
  • Need for physical therapy or other medical treatments
  • Fatigue from muscle weakness or spasticity
  • Accessibility issues in the workplace (ramps, equipment, etc.)
  • Social stigma or discrimination
  • Anxiety or self-esteem concerns

Practitioner Help

  • Assessing the participant’s strengths, skills, and interests
  • Assisting with job search and matching the participant to suitable positions
  • Coordinating workplace accommodations or assistive technologies
  • Providing job coaching and training
  • Help in developing strategies for managing fatigue and stress
  • Offering emotional and social support
  • Educating employers on how to support employees with CP

Common Accommodations

  • Modifications in tasks to suit abilities (e.g., allowing a computer for tasks that require fine motor skills)
  • Wheelchair access (ramps, wider doorways)
  • Accessible parking and workspace (e.g., wheelchair-accessible desks)
  • Access to assistive devices (mobility aids, assistive technology)
  • Ergonomic chairs and workstations
  • Special computer equipment (voice recognition software, adaptive keyboards)
  • Use of assistive technology like speech-to-text software
  • Voice-to-text software
  • Flexible working hours or part-time work
  • Flexible work hours (for managing health conditions)
  • Flexible work hours or a predictable schedule
  • Flexible work hours or breaks to manage medication schedules
  • Flexible work hours or part-time schedules
  • Job coaching or ongoing support
  • Allowing more breaks to manage anxiety or fatigue
  • Regular breaks or access to quiet rest areas
  • Rest breaks for fatigue management
  • Regular breaks to avoid fatigue
View more on enableDex

Notes

Early intervention and therapy can help manage symptoms.

Each case of CP is unique, and support needs will vary.

Legal protections (such as the Disability Discrimiation Act 1992) help to ensure equal opportunities in the workplace.

Cerebral Palsy World Day is October 6th

Resources

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Cerebral Palsy Australia | CP Australia | Share Your Story
  • About Cerebral Palsy | Cerebral Palsy (CP) | CDC
  • What Is Cerebral Palsy | Cerebral Palsy Alliance Australia
Neurological disorders and injuries

Help Us Improve the Knowledge Hub

This Knowledge Hub is a living library that relies on community feedback to stay current, accurate, and effective for everyone. We welcome all submissions, whether you've spotted an error, have an improvement idea, or want to suggest a new topic.

Report an Inaccuracy

Help us correct outdated information, broken links, or any factual errors you find.

Suggest an Improvement

Suggest an improvement to make an existing profile or resource much clearer.
submit feedback