Cerebral Palsy Explained: Complete Australian Guide

What is cerebral palsy explained?

Cerebral Palsy Alliance describes cerebral palsy as a physical disability affecting movement and posture. It is the most common physical disability in children (Cerebral Palsy Alliance).

It is usually caused by injury to the developing brain during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Cerebral palsy (CP) is life-long but generally does not worsen over time, although a person’s needs can change with age.

Is cerebral palsy a neurological condition, disease or disability?

Cerebral Palsy Alliance describes cerebral palsy as a physical disability. It usually comes from injury to the developing brain, and it is not described as a disease.

• Is cerebral palsy a neurological condition? It usually comes from injury to the developing brain and affects movement and posture. Your specialist can explain how it is described in your own reports.
• Is cerebral palsy a disease or disorder? It is described as a physical disability; many people also use the word condition.
• Is cerebral palsy a disability? Yes. Read is cerebral palsy a disability to see how it is treated in law and by the NDIS.
• Is CP the same as an intellectual disability? No. Cerebral palsy is described as a physical disability affecting movement and posture. Each person is different, so ask your specialist about any other conditions.

Cerebral palsy facts and statistics in Australia

These figures come from Cerebral Palsy Alliance and the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register. For more, see cerebral palsy statistics in Australia.

The Australian Cerebral Palsy Register Bulletin (April 2025, birth years 1995-2018) is the source for the birth prevalence figures (Australian CP Register). Cerebral Palsy Alliance reports the fall of around 40% and the 30% in regional areas (CP Register summary).

Types of cerebral palsy explained

Cerebral palsy is grouped by the kind of movement difference and by which parts of the body are affected. Your specialist can explain which applies to you or your child.

Our overall guide to cerebral palsy types compares them side by side.

Hemiplegic cerebral palsy

One side of the body is affected. See hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Diplegic cerebral palsy

The legs are affected more than the arms. See spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Quadriplegic cerebral palsy

All four limbs and often the trunk are affected. See spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Mild and severe cerebral palsy, and GMFCS levels

People with cerebral palsy have very different support needs. Doctors often use the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) to describe movement ability.

• Read cerebral palsy classification by GMFCS levels to see what each level means for mobility and equipment.
• Read mild cerebral palsy for people whose movement differences are less obvious but still matter.
• Read severe cerebral palsy for people who need high levels of daily support.
• Ask your therapist how a level affects school, work, transport and equipment, because the same level can mean different things for different people.
• Remember that a level describes movement, not a person’s intelligence, personality or goals.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Causes of cerebral palsy and genetics

Cerebral palsy is usually caused by injury to the developing brain during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Your specialist can explain what is known in your own situation.

• Read cerebral palsy causes for what research says about risk factors.
• Read is cerebral palsy genetic to understand when genes may play a part.
• Ask your GP, obstetrician or paediatrician if you have questions about your own family.
• Ask the specialist whether scans or genetic tests were done, and keep copies of the results.
• Be gentle with yourself. If you are carrying worry or guilt about the cause, talk it through with your specialist or GP, and ask about support for parents.

Cerebral palsy in a 1 year old and how it is diagnosed

Only a professional can assess a baby for cerebral palsy. Because it affects movement and posture, it can help to raise any of these with your GP or child health nurse:

• Anything about how your baby moves, holds their body or uses their arms and legs that worries you.
• Concerns about how your baby is progressing with movement for their age.
• Differences between the left and right side of the body that you keep noticing.
• Remember that babies develop at different rates, so a single observation does not mean cerebral palsy.

1. 1Write down what you notice. Video clips of movements help your doctor.
2. 2See your GP or child health nurse. Ask for a referral to a paediatrician.
3. 3Attend specialist assessments. Specialists look at movement, tone and brain imaging where needed.
4. 4Ask about early intervention. Ask whether therapy can start while assessment continues.

Our guide to how cerebral palsy is diagnosed and cerebral palsy symptoms go into more detail.

Cerebral palsy treatment, therapy and daily life

Cerebral palsy is life-long, and therapy, equipment and support can help people build skills and take part in life. Your team will tailor options to your goals.

• Treatment for cerebral palsy explains medical and therapy options you can discuss with your specialist.
• Physiotherapy and exercises for cerebral palsy explains how movement therapy works.
• Occupational therapy, speech pathology and equipment such as wheelchairs and communication devices may be part of a plan.
• People with cerebral palsy work, study, play sport and raise families, with the supports and accessible environments that suit them.
• Read cerebral palsy awareness and famous people with cerebral palsy for stories of achievement.

Cerebral palsy for adults, families and carers

Cerebral palsy is life-long, so support needs change across childhood, adulthood and older age. Families and carers need support too.

• Ask your GP or specialist about regular reviews of your health and equipment, and mention any changes you notice in how your body feels or moves.
• Plan transitions early, such as moving from school to work or study, from paediatric to adult health services, or from the family home to supported living.
• Keep a folder with reports, therapy plans, equipment details and key contacts so that new workers and clinicians can see your history.
• Consider a peer group or family network, where you can talk with people in a similar situation.
• Carers should plan regular breaks; respite can give you rest while the person you support keeps doing things they enjoy.
• Let the person with cerebral palsy lead decisions about their own life wherever possible, with communication supports if they need them.

Easy read: cerebral palsy in short

• Cerebral palsy is also called CP.
• It affects how the body moves.
• It starts when the brain is growing, before or soon after birth.
• It usually does not get worse over time.
• People with CP need different amounts of help.
• Doctors, therapists and support workers can help.
• The NDIS may pay for some help if you meet the rules.

Cerebral palsy explained and the NDIS

If you meet the NDIS access requirements, the NDIS may fund supports that help with everyday life, such as therapy, equipment and support workers. Read cerebral palsy resources and the NDIS in Australia for the detail.

1. 1Collect evidence. Ask your specialist for a report on diagnosis and how it affects daily life.
2. 2Apply for access. Contact the NDIA, or ask a local early childhood partner or support coordinator to help.
3. 3Prepare for planning. List goals, daily tasks you need help with and equipment you use.
4. 4Choose providers. Pick supports that respect your choices and routines.

If you are also looking at another condition that affects attention, read what is ADHD.

Your next step with support at home

Understanding cerebral palsy is the first step; the right everyday support follows. TQN Care’s NDIS services include support workers who help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). We work with you and your therapists, and we listen to your goals. Tell us what you need and we will call you back.