the original problem with the brain does not get worse over time, but the condition can put a lot of strain on the body and cause problems, such as painful joints, in later life the daily challenges of living with cerebral palsy can be difficult to cope with, which can lead to problems such as depression in some people Hi, Strange as it seems, it is quite common for people to receive a diagnosis as an adult. If this is your first visit, check out the, Keep on top of what's being talked about in our. Living with impaired movement your whole life can add extra stress to your mind and body. The brain matures at around 6 years of age. A child with Cerebral Palsy may require a higher level of care than a child without impairments, but the child with disability may still lead a very long, happy, and high-quality life. Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the immature brain so before, during or shortly after birth. Parents are advised, whenever possible, to embrace life with Cerebral Palsy in it, and to seek opportunities for assistance and learning. Saturday to Sunday 10am to 6pm. Cerebral palsy is almost always picked up by a pediatrician early in childhood, and it would be very unusual for it to go undiagnosed into adulthood. However, for a number of people who are now in their 30s, 40s, 50s or older, the first they know about having CP is when they visit their doctor for something and it is mentioned because the diagnosis is on their medical notes. Is this common to find out so late in life? Hi, Strange as it seems, it is quite common for people to receive a diagnosis as an adult. As a result, premature aging may be evident in the form of chronic pain and musculoskeletal problems. Cerebral palsy and coronavirus Why people with CP are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus and what they can do to avoid this. I have always had a 'left sided weakness' as my mum explained it. Body distortions can also add extra strain on certain organs or connective tissues. Though cerebral palsy is a non-degenerative condition, meaning that it doesn’t get worse with aging, a lifetime of fighting physical impairment can mean that people with cerebral palsy often start feeling the effects of age much earlier. Cerebral palsy or CP affects muscle control and movement and is usually caused by a brain injury before, during or after birth. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons! Obviously most people are diagnosed as children and that is why the information you have read mainly relates to children. Tensing up in anticipation of pain can affect movement, motivation to move and general well-being. Exercise can play an important role in maintaining good physical health for adults with cerebral palsy. Getting the medical diagnosis later in life is then quite a shock. The brain matures at around 6 years of age. Receive all the latest news and information about Scope, https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/27986/newly-diagnosed-with-mild-cerebral-palsy, https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/30180/ive-just-been-diagnosed-with-spastic-cerebral-palsy-at-age-21-i-need-guidance-and-support, Complete a quick online task about our education section. Pain: Chronic pain, and the implications of it, can be a big issue for adults with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy progression in adults is usually due to the aging process being sped up. It can stop people from doing the things they love.