Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive but permanent neurological condition caused by damage to the developing brain. Cerebral means 'Of the Brain', palsy means 'Lack of Muscle Control'.

CP refers to a group of disorders in the development of motor control and posture. Some children present with high muscle tone (stiffening of the limbs) while others may present with low muscle tone (floppy limbs and trunk). Often, children present with a mixture of muscle tones.

CP affects balance and coordination of movements, most notable the ability to walk. These motor disorders can be accompanied by disturbances of sensation, cognition, communication, perception, and/or seizure disorders.

For more information:

NHS UK

CEREBRA

CHASA

Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is a genetic condition that results from the presence of a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. Individuals with Down Syndrome present with a wide spectrum of physical, cognitive, and social characteristic and abilities. Most commonly children and young people with Down Syndrome present with:

• Gross motor delay secondary to low muscle tone and flexible joints
• Sensory difficulties - hearing and vision problems
• Heart disorders, such as congenital heart disease
• Learning difficulties impacting on their education

The goal of physiotherapy interventions is to enable participation opportunities, maximizing independence and quality of life. Both assessment and management is family-centred and warrants a concerted and coordinated multi-disciplinary approaches.

For more information:

NHS UK

Down Syndrome Association UK

Spina Bifida is when a baby's spine and spinal cord do not develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine. Although most children with spina bifida are able to have surgery to close the opening in the spine, the nervous system may already have been affected leading to problems such as:

• Weakness or total paralysis of the legs
• Bowel incontinence and urinary incontinence
• Loss of skin sensation in the legs and around the bottom - the child is unable to feel hot or cold, which can lead to accidental injury.

Children and young people with spina bifida typically have difficulties with mobility. Physiotherapy treatment will vary according to the severity of the condition.

Fore more information:

NHS UK

Shine Charity

Muscular Dystrophies (MD) are a group of inherited genetic conditions that gradually cause the muscles to weaken, leading to an increasing level of disability. MD is caused by changes in the genes responsible for the structure and functioning of a person's muscles.

MD is a progressive condition, which often begins by affecting a particular group of muscles, before affecting the muscles more widely. Some types of MD eventually affect the heart or the muscles used for breathing, at which point the condition becomes life-threatening.

Although there is currently no cure for MD, physiotherapists are able to work with your child to improve their muscle and joint function. This will help slow your child's muscle deterioration.

Physiotherapy helps children with MD to maintain muscle tone and range. The physiotherapists will be able to provide your child with exercises that will help keep their muscles strong and the joints flexible.

If you have a family history of MD, your GP may refer you for genetic testing and counselling.

For more information:

NHS UK

Muscular Dystrophy UK

Thousands of children and their families are affected by acquired brain injuries (ABI) every year. The 'acquired' part means simply that the child was not born with their injury - it is the result of an accident or illness that has happened later.

Acquired brain injury may be the result of:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - The result of an impact to the head by an outside force. Examples might be a car accident or a fall.
• Non-traumatic brain injury - Is often the result of a condition like meningitis or brain tumour.

ABI may include coinditions like

• Guillan-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
• Medulla Blastoma
• Acute Flaccid Myelitis
• Acquired Encephalopathies.

Physiotherapists will work with the child and family to help develop and exercise plan where suitable.

For more information:

The Children's Trust

Cancer Research

Neurogenetic Conditions are caused by changes in geners or chromosomes, which could affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. There are a vast number of neurogenetic disorders that may present in different ways. They may cause problems from birth or only become evident in later childhood. They include malformations of the brain, neurodevelopmental disroders, and genetic syndromes, as well as problems such as seizures, loss of muscle tone, balance, and learning difficulties.

Some suspected or diagnosed neurogenetic disorders could include:

• Disorders of eye movements and cranial nerves
• Epilepsy
• Mitochondrial Disorders
• Brain malformations such as agenesis of the corpus callosum
• Rett Syndrome
• CDKL5
• Fragile X Syndrome
• Chromosomal disorders
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)
• Sturge-Weber Syndrome Clinic

These conditions are often rare and thus currently have no effective treatment.

Often rare conditions are chronic and life-threatening. Despite sophisticated diagnostic testing, on average it takes over four years to receive an accurae diagnosis of a rare disease.

Our specialist team of physiotherapists work holistically with the wider multidisciplinary team to support children and young people to move and function to the best of their ability.

We may provide ongoing advice alongside a hands-on approach that ensures the child is positioned well to carry out activities and exercises. This gives the children opportunities to become aware of a variety of movement patterns which they may not otherwise use.

For more information:

NHS

Parents Advice