What defines cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is accurately defined as a group of permanent disorders attributed to non-progressive disturbances in the brain. This defining characteristic highlights that while the motor impairments associated with cerebral palsy can vary in severity and may change over time, the underlying brain injury or dysfunction occurs early in development and does not worsen.

The term "permanent" indicates that individuals with cerebral palsy will typically experience these movement disorders throughout their lives, although they may learn to adapt and improve their functional abilities with therapy and support. Additionally, describing these disturbances as non-progressive underscores that the damage to the brain does not escalate or lead to additional deterioration in motor function over time.

Understanding this context is important for recognizing that cerebral palsy is not simply a single disorder or a temporarily occurring condition, but rather a wide-ranging set of challenges related to movement and coordination that arises from injury to the developing brain.