Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions that affect the brain's ability to control muscle movement, coordination, and posture.  The term "cerebral" refers to the brain, and "palsy" refers to impaired control of body movement. 

The disorder is caused by failure of the brain to develop properly, or by injury to the brain (not to the muscles or nerves), before, during, or after birth. Sometimes cerebral palsy shows itself only as a slight awkwardness of speech or gait.  More often, there is a severe loss of muscle control in more than one area of the body. 

Some people with cerebral palsy can do only simple tasks related to self care and activities of daily living, while others achieve professional careers and lead independent lives.

Although Cerebral palsy, or the injury to the brain, does not get worse, some abilities, such as motor control, may become more impaired as the person ages.   Although some people with cerebral palsy also have an intellectual disability, most have normal intelligence.