CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.hemihelp.org.uk:80/hemiplegia/what_is_hemiplegia","20130305060120","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1362463280"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>What is hemiplegia? | HemiHelp: for children and young people with hemiplegia (hemiparesis)</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> <meta name="copyright" content="HemiHelp"/> <meta name="description" content="This leaflet aims to provide an overview of hemiplegia, the impacts it may have on a child and the support available from HemiHelp.Childhood hemiplegia (sometimes called hemiparesis) is a condition affecting one side of the body (Greek ‘hemi’ ="/> <meta name="keywords" content="Hemiplegia,hemiparesis,Hemihelp,hemi"/> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/web/20130305060120im_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/files/hemihelp_favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon"/> <style type="text/css" media="all">@import "/web/20130305060120cs_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/modules/aggregator/aggregator.css";</style> <style type="text/css" media="all">@import "/web/20130305060120cs_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/modules/node/node.css";</style> <style type="text/css" media="all">@import "/web/20130305060120cs_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/modules/system/defaults.css";</style> <style type="text/css" media="all">@import "/web/20130305060120cs_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/modules/system/system.css";</style> <style type="text/css" media="all">@import "/web/20130305060120cs_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/modules/user/user.css";</style> <style type="text/css" media="all">@import "/web/20130305060120cs_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/themes/hemihelp/style.css";</style> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20130305060120js_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/misc/jquery.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20130305060120js_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/misc/drupal.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20130305060120js_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/misc/textarea.js"></script>  </head> <body class="not-front not-logged-in ntype-webform sidebar-right"> <div id="accessibility"> <a href="#main" title="Skip to main content"> Skip to main content</a>. </div>  <div id="page"> <div id="border"> <div id="header"> <div id="watermark"><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/families/supporting_child/helpline"><img src="/web/20130305060120im_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/themes/hemihelp/images/watermark.gif" alt="Helpline: 0845 123 2372" title="Helpline: 0845 123 2372" width="285" height="136"/></a> </div> <a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/" title="Home"> <img src="/web/20130305060120im_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/files/hemihelp_logo.gif" alt="Hemihelp - for children and young people with hemiplegia (hemiparesis)" id="logo" width="246" height="136"/> </a> </div>  <div id="navigation" class="menu withprimary withsecondary "> <div id="primary" class="clear-block"> <ul class="links-menu"> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/home" title="Home page">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/about_us" title="About HemiHelp">About us</a></li> <li class="active"><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/hemiplegia" title="Hemiplegia">Hemiplegia</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/events" title="Events">Events</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/families" title="Families">Families</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/young_adults" title="Young Adults">Young Adults</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/professionals" title="Professionals">Professionals</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/support_us" title="Support us">Support us</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/about_us/news" title="News">News</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="secondary" class="clear-block"> <ul class="links-menu"> <li class="active"><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/hemiplegia/what_is_hemiplegia" title="What is hemiplegia?" class="active">What is hemiplegia?</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/hemiplegia/whats_it_like_to_have_hemiplegia" title="What's it like to have hemiplegia?">What's it like to have hemiplegia?</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/hemiplegia/faq" title="Frequently asked questions">FAQ</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/hemiplegia/treatments">Treatments</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/hemiplegia/associated_problems">Associated problems</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/hemiplegia/hemihelp_services" title="HemiHelp services">HemiHelp services</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/hemiplegia/publications" title="HemiHelp publications: leaflets, booklets and books">Publications</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  <div id="container" class="clear-block"> <div id="main" class="column"><div id="squeeze"> <h1 class="title">What is hemiplegia?</h1> <div class="node ntype-webform" id="node-330"> <div class="content"> <p>This leaflet aims to provide an overview of hemiplegia, the impacts it may have on a child and the support available from HemiHelp.</p> <p>Childhood hemiplegia (sometimes called hemiparesis) is a condition affecting one side of the body (Greek ‘hemi’ = half). We talk about a right or left hemiplegia, depending on the side affected. It is caused by damage to some part of the brain, which may happen before, during or soon after birth, when it is known as <strong>congenital hemiplegia </strong>, or later in childhood as a result of injury or illness, in which case it is called <strong>acquired hemiplegia</strong>. Generally, injury to the left side of the brain will cause a right hemiplegia and injury to the right side a left hemiplegia. Childhood hemiplegia is a relatively common condition, affecting up to one child in 1,000. About 80% of cases are congenital, and 20% acquired</p> <h2>How does hemiplegia occur?</h2> <p>The causes of congenital hemiplegia are mostly unknown, and usually parents become aware of their child’s hemiplegia gradually during his or her infancy. There is a higher risk in premature babies, and it is unclear whether a difficult birth may be an occasional factor. In most cases, however, the damage occurs during pregnancy, and researchers have as yet been unable to isolate any contributory factors - in other words, it would appear to be mostly a matter of chance. Parents often worry that they may be somehow to blame, but this is not the case. Acquired hemiplegia results from damage to the brain during childhood. The most common cause is a stroke (when a bleed or blood clot damages part of the brain), but it can also result from an accident or infection<br/> <div class="top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <h2>What are the effects of hemiplegia?</h2> <p>It is difficult to generalise: hemiplegia affects each child differently. The most obvious result is a varying degree of weakness and lack of control in the affected side of the body, rather like the effects of a stroke. In one child this may be very obvious (he or she may have little use of one hand, may limp or have poor balance); in another child it will be so slight that it only shows when attempting specific physical activities.<br/> <div class="top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <h2>What can be done to help?</h2> <p>Hemiplegia cannot be cured, but a lot can be done to minimise its effects. Your child, once diagnosed, will probably be referred to a Child Development Centre (CDC) or the children’s department of your local or regional hospital, where therapists will work with you to develop his or her abilities.<br/> <blockquote>Understanding hemiplegia and knowing how you can help your child achieve his or her potential is vital.</p></blockquote> <p>The immature brain is very flexible, and many of the functions of the damaged area can be taken over by undamaged parts of the brain. An adult who has a stroke loses very specific functions, depending on which part of the brain was affected. In contrast, which area of the brain was damaged and which side of the body is affected makes relatively little difference in children and young people with hemiplegia. Your child’s treatment will probably be based on a multidisciplinary approach, involving physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy where necessary. Therapists work closely with each other and with parents and carers, teaching them exercises and techniques which they can continue to use at home, so that they become part of the child’s everyday life. Some children may also benefit from other forms of treatment such as orthoses (splints), Botulinum Toxin injections or orthopaedic surgery. In general the child with hemiplegia should be treated as normally as possible. <p>However, it is essential to include the weaker side in play and everyday activities, to make your child as two-sided as he or she can be. As they get older, many children and young people with hemiplegia can be encouraged to develop better use of their weaker side through involvement in their chosen sports and hobbies.</p> <div class="top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <h2>Are there other problems associated with hemiplegia ?</h2> <p>Yes, there may be. Because hemiplegia is caused by damage to the brain, it is not just motor development that may be affected. And despite the developing brain’s effort to relocate functions to undamaged areas, approximately half the children do have additional diagnoses. Some of these are medical in nature, such as epilepsy, visual impairment or speech difficulties. Many children have less obvious additional challenges, such as perceptual problems, specific learning difficulties or emotional and behavioural problems. <p>As the child grows these difficulties may become more frustrating and disabling than the more obvious physical ones, but with specialist treatment their effects on the child’s life can be minimised.</p> <div class="top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <h2>What does the future hold?</h2> <p>In merely defining hemiplegia with its causes and effects we leave out perhaps the most important issue – the shock of diagnosis and the fear of the unknown. When a child is first diagnosed, it is often difficult for a doctor to predict whether problems will be mild or severe later in life. He or she will often adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach, which parents may find difficult to accept, since they may feel they are not being given all the facts. Understanding hemiplegia and knowing how you can help your child achieve his or her potential is vital. Make good use of the specialists dealing with your child’s hemiplegia. Do ask them questions and make sure you understand their replies, if necessary asking them to repeat them using non-specialist terms.<br/> <div class="top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <h2>Education</h2> <p>Most children and young people with hemiplegia attend mainstream schools, with or without some extra support. It is essential that teachers be given as much information as possible about your child and how best to help him or her. HemiHelp has information materials for teachers in pre-school, primary and secondary education. These are of use not only to your child’s teachers, but also to you as parents/carers, to help you support your child through his or her school years.<br/> <div class="top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <h2>Support</h2> <p>Life can be difficult for children and young people with hemiplegia who want to do the same things as other children. They tire easily and the effort involved in simple tasks can be considerable. They need all the help and encouragement you can give them. And you need support in your turn – ideally from other parents and carers who understand how you feel and with whom you can also share ideas and information. You may find general support groups for children with disabilities and their families in your own area - your CDC, hospital or library should have information. Your local Sure Start children’s centre may also have useful services for you and your child, such as Portage or a toy library. And you may want to join the national organisation for children and young people with hemiplegia and their families, HemiHelp <p>See also HemiHelp’s Information sheet <a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/families/supporting_child/parents/">You have just been told your child has hemiplegia</a></p> <div class="top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <h2>What is HemiHelp ?</h2> <p>HemiHelp was set up in 1990 by a small group of parents, and now has a thriving membership of families and professionals all over Britain. We provide information, support and events for children and adults with hemiplegia, their families and the professionals who support them.<br/> <blockquote>HemiHelp has made me into a fighter for my child, being able now to go anywhere and fight anyone for what I believe are his rights.</p></blockquote> <div class="top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <h2>How can HemiHelp help you ?</h2> <p>HemiHelp: <ul> <li>has a Helpline staffed by trained volunteers who all have personal experience of hemiplegia (0845 123 2372)</li> <li>runs a UK-wide home visiting service</li> <li>has an extensive website with a members’ message board</li> <li>puts members in touch with others who have faced similar problems (available upon written request) and is developing a network of local groups</li> <li>has over 30 leaflets on various aspects of living with hemiplegia</li> <li>provides a resource booklet of useful names and addresses for members</li> <li>produces a quarterly magazine where members can share information and experience</li> <li>runs regular conferences and workshops around the UK and in the Republic of Ireland for parents and professionals</li> <li>organises sports and activity days for members in different regions</li> <li>membership is from £10 a year and benefits include HemiHelp’s quarterly magazine, access to our services and schemes and priority booking at HemiHelp events</li> </ul> <blockquote><p>I phoned the helpline in tears, spoke to lovely woman. Made us realise we’re not alone.</p></blockquote> <blockquote><p>L met other children with hemiplegia, both at the music workshop and the fun day. This helped her to realise she was not the only one with a funny hand.</p></blockquote> <div class="top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <p> <img src="/web/20130305060120im_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/files/IS_member_exp_vert_pos_0.GIF" alt="IS logo" class="floatopright" height="150"/></p> <div class="top"><a href="#">Back to Top</a></div> <p> We can provide references and information on the source material we use to write this information<br/> product. Please contact us at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130305060120/mailto:info@hemihelp.org.uk">info@hemihelp.org.uk</a></p> <p>Author and reviewer: Liz Barnes</p> <p> Last revision January 2012 – next revision due December 2014</p> <form action="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/hemiplegia/what_is_hemiplegia" method="post" id="webform-client-form" enctype="multipart/form-data"> <div><div class="webform-component-textarea" id="webform-component-do_you_have_any_comments_on_this_page_its_useful_for_us_to_know_why_you_were_reading_it_and_if_you_found_what_you_wanted"><div class="form-item"> <label for="edit-submitted-1211211678">Do you have any comments on this page? It's useful for us to know why you were reading it, and if you found what you wanted: </label> <textarea rows="5" name="submitted[1211211678]" id="edit-submitted-1211211678" class="form-textarea resizable"></textarea> </div> </div><fieldset class="webform-component-fieldset" id="webform-component-if_you_would_like_us_to_get_back_to_you_on_your_comments_please_give_us_your_contact_details"><legend>If you would like us to get back to you on your comments, please give us your contact details:</legend><div class="webform-component-textfield" id="webform-component-name"><div class="form-item"> <label for="edit-submitted-1258385042-1258385130">Name: </label> <input type="text" maxlength="128" name="submitted[1258385042][1258385130]" id="edit-submitted-1258385042-1258385130" size="60" value="" class="form-text"/> </div> </div><div class="webform-component-textfield" id="webform-component-email_address"><div class="form-item"> <label for="edit-submitted-1258385042-1258384634">Email address: </label> <input type="text" maxlength="128" name="submitted[1258385042][1258384634]" id="edit-submitted-1258385042-1258384634" size="60" value="" class="form-text"/> </div> </div><div class="webform-component-select" id="webform-component-are_you_a_member_of_hemihelp"><div class="form-item"> <label>Are you a member of HemiHelp?: </label> <div class="form-radios"><div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="submitted[1258385042][1211211737]" value="yes" class="form-radio"/> Yes</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="submitted[1258385042][1211211737]" value="no" class="form-radio"/> No</label> </div> </div> <div class="description">If you're not a member, remember that you can <a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/about_us/membership" target="_blank">join us online</a> and receive a members' magazine and other benefits.</div> </div> </div></fieldset> <input type="hidden" name="details[email_subject]" id="edit-details-email-subject" value="Default"/> <input type="hidden" name="details[email_from]" id="edit-details-email-from" value="Default"/> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" id="edit-webform-client-form" value="webform_client_form"/> <input type="submit" name="op" id="edit-submitbutton" value="Submit" class="form-submit"/> </div></form> </div> </div> </div></div>  <div id="sidebar-right" class="column sidebar"> <div id="block-search-0" class="block block-search"> <div class="blockinner"> <div class="blocktitle"> <h2 class="title">Search</h2> </div> <div class="content"> <form action="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/search/node" method="post" id="search-block-form"> <div><p><input type="text" maxlength="128" name="search_block_form_keys" id="edit-search_block_form_keys" size="11" value="" title="Enter the terms you wish to search for." class="form-text"/> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Go"/> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" id="edit-search-block-form" value="search_block_form"/> <input type="hidden" name="form_token" id="a-unique-id" value="fed70f3a6f00c1fef6ef47982dbe87d7"/></p> </div></form> </div> <div class="blockfoot"></div> </div> </div> <div id="block-block-187" class="block block-block"> <div class="blockinner"> <div class="blocktitle"> <h2 class="title">Stay in touch</h2> </div> <div class="content"> <div style="padding-bottom: 8px"> <p style="text-align: left; margin-left: 5px"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130305060120/http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5512952137" title="Facebook Group"><img src="/web/20130305060120im_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/images/facebook.png" alt="facebook icon" style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 8px; float: left; padding-top: 0px" height="40" width="40"/> Join us on Facebook</a></p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-left: 5px; clear: left"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130305060120/http://twitter.com/HemiHelp/" title="follow our Tweets"><img src="/web/20130305060120im_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/images/twitter.jpg" alt="twitter icon" style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 8px; float: left; padding-top: 0px" height="40" width="40"/>Follow us on Twitter</a></p> <p style="text-align: left; margin-left: 5px; clear: left"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130305060120/http://www.youtube.com/hemihelp" title="follow our Tweets"><img src="/web/20130305060120im_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/files/youtube_icon.png" alt="Youtube icon" style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 8px; float: left; padding-top: 0px" height="40" width="40"/>Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="blockfoot"></div> </div> </div> <div id="block-block-2" class="block block-block"> <div class="blockinner"> <div class="blocktitle"> </div> <div class="content"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130305060120/http://www.board.hemihelp.org.uk/" title="Message Board"><img src="/web/20130305060120im_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/themes/hemihelp/images/message.jpg" alt="message board" height="162" width="143"/></a> </div> <div class="blockfoot"></div> </div> </div> <div id="block-block-41" class="block block-block"> <div class="blockinner"> <div class="blocktitle"> <h2 class="title">Quick links</h2> </div> <div class="content"> <ul style="text-align: right"> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/about_us/contact_us/">Contact us</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/about_us/membership">Join HemiHelp</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/members/renew">Renew membership</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/about_us/what_we_do/events/calendar/">Events calendar</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/hemiplegia/publications/leaflets/">Information sheets</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/about_us/jobs">Work for us</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/support_us/shop">Shop</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/about_us/news">News</a></li> <li> <form target="_blank" method="post" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20130305060120/https://rsm2.rsmsecure.com/cpterminal/cpweb.php" style="border: medium none" name="CTTcpweb"><input value="709.4852" type="hidden" name="campaign"/><input value="One Off Donation" src="/web/20130305060120im_/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/files/donateblock.gif" type="image" style="border: medium none" title="Click to make a donation online via CAF. Link opens in new window" name="submit"/> </form> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="blockfoot"></div> </div> </div> </div>  <div id="footer-wrapper"> <div id="footer"> <div id="footer_menu"><div id="block-menu-81" class="block block-menu"> <div class="blockinner"> <div class="blocktitle"> </div> <div class="content"> <ul class="menu"> <li class="leaf"><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/about_us/contact_us" title="Contact us">Contact us</a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/privacy" title="Privacy">Privacy</a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/terms">Terms and conditions</a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/sitemap" title="Site map">Site map</a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/accessibility" title="Accessibility">Accessibility</a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/web/20130305060120/http://www.hemihelp.org.uk/families/useful_contacts/links" title="Links">Links</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="blockfoot"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <p>Copyright © 2007-2013 HemiHelp<br/> HemiHelp is registered as Charity No. 1085349. Registered office: 6 Market Road, London. N7 9PW. HemiHelp is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales (Registered No. 4156922). Information on this site may not be reproduced without prior consent from HemiHelp. All rights reserved.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <div style="text-align: center;font-size: .7em"><p>Site by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130305060120/http://www.friezedesign.co.uk/">Frieze Web Design</a> and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130305060120/http://carola.co.uk/">carola.co.uk</a></p></div> </div>   <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130305060120js_/http://www.google-analytics.com/urchin.js " type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> _uacct = "UA-1822884-1"; urchinTracker(); </script> </body> </html>