II. Read the following article using the pretext vocabulary.

Cerebral palsy

What cerebral palsy actually is? An answer to the question specifies that there is certain abnormality of motor function as a result of brain pathology. The role of brain dysfunction as the cause of abnormal motor function differentiates cerebral palsy from other motor problems caused by spinal lesions such as poliomyelitis, spinal bifida and various paralyses associated with spinal chord injuries.

Definitions of cerebral palsy also include the point that the brain dysfunction is the result of harmful events, which occurred before, during or soon after birth. This focus on time differs cerebral palsy from the motor problems caused by brain dysfunction associated with strokes or head injuries occurring later in life. Simply put, cerebral palsy is a condition characterized by motor dysfunction pathology, which happened before, during or shortly after birth. Nevertheless, such a simple and accurate definition is inadequate to answer the question “What cerebral palsy is?” In cerebral palsy pathologies resulting in the motor dysfunction occur in parts of the brain other than the cerebrum. The term “palsy” is a synonym for paralysis, which means a loss or impairment of motor function due to a lesion in the neural or the muscle mechanism.

To the general public, however, the term “palsy” often suggests shaking or trembling of the extremities. These conditions are not characteristic of all persons with cerebral palsy.To describe the nature of cerebral palsy, the simple definition must be expanded to include the so called “associated problems”. Because of the central role the brain plays in cognitive processes, in social and emotional behaviour, as well as in physical activities, impairments of intellectual functions, vision and hearing are often found in cerebral palsy. Occasional seizures and communication problems are common. Social an emotional development is affected. Severely involved individuals may have several of these problems. Hence, persons with cerebral palsy are usually multiply handicapped.

Learning disabilities, speech problems, vision and hearing impairments often occur in individuals who do not have motor dysfunction associated with intracranial pathology. Such persons are not classified as cerebral palsied.

Finally a broader definition might be worded as follows: cerebral palsy is a multiply handicapping condition caused by brain abnormality resulting from maldevelopment or damage occurring before, during or shortly after birth and characterized by motor dysfunction and a variety of associated problems. This definition is essential for rehabilitation programmes planning because sometimes the associated problems might be more limiting and disturbing than the physical disability itself.

There are five major types of cerebral palsy conditions:

1. spasticity, 2) athetosis, 3) ataxia, 4) rigidity, and 5) tremor. Various combinations of these conditions can be found in many cases. Physical education instructors (rehabilitators) should know the manifestations of each condition so that they can better understand the effect each type has upon the movement capabilities of the individual with cerebral palsy.

3. Decide if the following sentences are true, false, or impossible to answer basing on the reading:

1. Based on what we know today about the causes and prevalence of cerebral palsy, it would be safe to say that this condition has probably affected people for many centuries.

2. A major characteristic of cerebral palsy condition is that it interferes with the development of the central nervous system.

3. Severe head injuries or infections such as encephalitis or meningitis might cause postnatal occurrences of cerebral palsy.

4. Individuals with learning disabilities, speech problems, vision and hearing impairments, motor dysfunction not associated with intracranial pathology are usually classified as cerebral palsied.

5. Nearly none of cerebral palsied persons have speech defects or problems in communication that creates no barrier to social and academic adjustments.

6. Because of their motor inadequacies, communication problems, and, in some cases, differences in appearance, individuals with cerebral palsy often experience social rejection or excessive sympathy.

7. In addition to the obvious neuromuscular problems, many individuals with cerebral palsy have various secondary disorders.