What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a permanent physical condition that affects movement. It can be as mild as just a weakness in one hand, ranging to an almost complete lack of movement.
Cerebral palsy, except in its mildest forms, can be seen in the first 12-18 months of life as it presents when children fail to reach movement milestones. Babies most at risk of cerebral palsy are those born prematurely or with low birth weight.
Sometimes the movements of people with cerebral palsy can be unpredictable, muscles can be stiff or tight, and in some cases people may have shaky movements or tremors. Some people may have seizures and other impairments affecting their speech, vision, hearing and/or intellect.
Key facts about cerebral palsy:
- There is no pre-birth test
- It is a permanent condition
- It is non-progressive, however can be a changing condition
- There is no known cure
- Incidence and severity are on the increase
- Worldwide more than 15 million people have cerebral palsy
- There are 20,000 people with cerebral palsy in Australia
- 2,000 of these live in Western Australia
- In Australia, a child is born with cerebral palsy every 18 hours
About the CPAWA
From our humble beginnings in 1951, the Association finds itself as a leader in the provision of services and specialised therapy for children and adults living with cerebral palsy.
We strive to ensure inclusion of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities in every facet of society.
Our vision is for a community where all people freely exercise choice.
We aim to achieve this by providing a range of quality services and promoting choice in order to address the individual needs of the people that we work with.
Services
The Association provides a range of services to individuals and families living with cerebral palsy including:
- Community Development
- Early Intervention programme
- School Age Intervention Program
- Children's Respite Service
- Country Resource Program
- Health Promotion Program
- Equipment & Assistive Technology Service
- Community Living
- Adult Accommodation Support Service
- Adult Respite Service
- Employment & Community Access
- Opportunities Program
- Independent Living Program
- Access Employment
- Goodwill Industries
Contacts
Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia
The Sir David Brand Centre
106 Bradford Street
Coolbinia
WA 6050
We also operate from a number of studios and homes across the metropolitan area including:
- Alexandra Heights
- Balcatta
- Ballajura
- Joondanna
- Malaga
- Maylands
- Mirrabooka
- Morley
- Mt Lawley