How long will the needs last?
Cerebral Palsy (CP) Duration Guidance
This guidance covers -:
- Cerebral palsy - quadriplegia
- Spastic diplegia
- Cerebral palsy - athetoid
- Cerebral palsy - causing hemiparesis
- Cerebral palsy - ataxic
- Cerebral palsy - Other / type not known
Children with severe forms of CP may have a significantly reduced life span. Those with milder forms of CP have a life expectancy close to the general population, although still somewhat reduced.
Reduced life span is related to the severity of CP and associated medical complications, especially the respiratory ones. In quadriplegic patients for instance the likelihood of epilepsy, respiratory and other associated conditions is greater than in those with diplegia or hemiplegia.
Increased tone and spasticity may improve or resolve over time in patients with CP, but may not make significant difference to their overall level of function and independence.
The overall picture of cerebral palsy looks like -:
- Approximately 25%: have mild involvement with minimal or no functional limitation in ambulation, self-care, and other activities.
- Approximately 50% are moderately impaired to the extent that complete independence is unlikely but function is satisfactory.
- About 25% are severely disabled and require extensive care and do not walk.
| Age at date of claim | Award Period |
|---|---|
| 1 - 7 | Award to age 8 (or for 2 years whichever is the longer) |
| 8 - 10 | Award to age 12 |
| 11 - 16 | Award to age 16 (or for 1 year whichever is the longer)? |
Regardless of the type of cerebral palsy, those who have significant excess needs have different manifestations with time and this is reflected in the guidance by the needs being considered at different ages. Some with cerebral palsy adapt but a large proportion of others have lifelong significant disabilities. Although there are multiple types of treatments available, such as medication, surgical procedures, Botox injections etc. these are unlikely to significantly alter functionality and therefore unlikely to alter care/mobility needs.
