If there is anyone out there with cerebral palsy who can relate to sensory problems, please get in touch.

Cerebral Palsy and sensory sensations

It is common for anyone dealing with cerebral palsy to experience abnormal sensations and perceptions. Not knowing I had the condition, these are the things I'm having to work through for the first time.

The source is the central nervous system damage. Two people with the condition, will not experience the same sensory issues, because different parts of the brain are affected.

Cerebral Palsy and visual and hearing problems

It is common for children with cerebral palsy to have visual and hearing problems. This is different from having a physical inability that prevents someone being able to hear, or see things. When a child has a visual processing deficit, it means they have a hard time finding the words for objects they are viewing.

For example, if a child is asked to go and get an object, they might look at it and then say they can't find it. This is because they are seeing it, but their brains are not processing what’s in front of them. Similarly hearing integration problems are the same, the child hears what you say but the brain does not process what it hears simultaneously.

It may take several minutes for what you have said to click with the child and make sense. They may not get back what you've said but what the brain interprets. It is hard for others to accept this is what I have to deal with on a daily basis.