Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in childhood — affecting approximately 34,000 Australians and approximately 1 in 700 babies born in Australia. CP describes a group of permanent conditions affecting movement and posture, caused by damage to the developing brain. The impacts are highly variable: from mild coordination differences to significant physical and intellectual disability requiring extensive support. Grant funding supports world-class research, innovative therapy, community inclusion, and the family support that helps children and adults with CP live full lives.
Scale
The CP spectrum
CP is not one condition but a spectrum:
- Spastic CP: most common (approximately 75-80%) — increased muscle tone, stiffness
- Hemiplegia (one side)
- Diplegia (both legs)
- Quadriplegia (all four limbs and trunk)
- Dyskinetic CP: involuntary movements, variable tone
- Ataxic CP: balance and coordination, unsteady gait
- Mixed CP: features of more than one type
Associated conditions (common but not universal):
- Intellectual disability (approximately 50% of people with CP)
- Epilepsy (approximately 35%)
- Communication and speech difficulties (approximately 25-40%)
- Vision impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Pain
- Feeding difficulties
Lifespan perspective
CP was historically seen as a "childhood condition" — but people with CP are now living to old age. Adults with CP face:
- Ageing with a disability (bodies that have worked harder their whole lives)
- Changing support needs
- Transition from paediatric to adult services (a critical gap)
- Employment and social inclusion
- Mental health (higher rates of depression and anxiety)
NDIS
Primary funder for children and adults with CP:
- Therapy (physiotherapy, OT, speech, psychology)
- Equipment (wheelchairs, communication devices, orthotics)
- Daily living support
- Community participation
- Housing
Maternity and neonatal research
Education
Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA)
Australia's largest CP organisation — internationally significant:
- Research grants (CP Alliance Research Foundation — internationally significant programme)
- Therapy services
- Communication and technology
- Adults with CP support
- Equipment library
- Community inclusion
CPL (Cerebral Palsy League)
Queensland-based CP support and services.
Scope
Victoria-based CP and disability services.
Each Foundation
Disability services including CP.
Neonatal research funders
Research
CP Alliance Research Foundation is a global leader:
- Neuroprotection (cooling therapy for newborns, magnesium sulphate — already implemented)
- Stem cell therapy (clinical trials for CP)
- Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) research
- Communication technology and AAC
- Adults ageing with CP
- Mental health in CP
- CP register (ACPR — Australian Cerebral Palsy Register)
Early intervention
Evidence supports intensive early intervention in young children:
- Goal-directed therapy
- Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
- Bimanual training
- Early communication support
- Family-centred early intervention
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Many children and adults with CP have limited speech and use AAC:
- High-tech AAC (speech generating devices — iPads, dedicated devices)
- Low-tech AAC (picture boards, symbols)
- Specialist speech pathology
- AAC funding through NDIS
- Training for families, educators, and carers
Assistive technology and equipment
Family support
Families of children with CP have high support needs:
- Parent education and training (in therapy techniques)
- Peer support for parents
- Respite
- Financial assistance (equipment costs, therapy costs)
- Sibling support
Adult CP
Adults with CP face a services cliff at 18:
- Adult therapy services
- Employment support
- Independent living
- Sexual health and relationships
- Ageing with CP
Pain management
Pain is common and underrecognised in CP:
- Assessment tools adapted for CP
- Multidisciplinary pain management
- Hip management (hip dislocation — a significant source of pain)
Transition to adulthood
The transition from paediatric to adult services is a critical gap:
- Transition planning from age 14
- Adult healthcare provider training (many have no experience with adults with CP)
- Housing and independent living planning
- Employment and social participation
Mental health
Depression and anxiety are significantly more common in people with CP:
- Mental health support in disability settings
- Peer support
- Psychological services accessible for people with communication challenges
NDIS context
The NDIS has transformed funding for therapy and support — but families still face significant gaps (particularly for low NDIS plans, non-NDIS eligible situations, and areas not covered by NDIS). Applications addressing these gaps are compelling.
Early intervention priority
The evidence for early, intensive intervention in CP is strong. Applications supporting evidence-based early intervention (CIMT, bimanual therapy, family-based therapy) are well-aligned.
Adults with CP
The transition to adulthood and supports for adults ageing with CP are underserved. Applications addressing adult CP needs (employment, independent living, ageing) fill a genuine gap.
AAC
Communication is a fundamental right — AAC technology has transformed participation for people with CP. Applications supporting AAC access, training, and technology development are high-impact.
Tahua's grants management platform supports disability funders and cerebral palsy organisations — with participant tracking, therapy outcome measurement, research grant administration, and the reporting tools that help CP funders demonstrate their investment in better outcomes and full inclusion for Australians living with cerebral palsy.