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8 | The Early Years Kete Cerebral Palsy - Hōkai Nukurangi TOOLKIT Function • Functional classifications are used by health professionals to describe what your child can do and what they might find more challenging. • These functions are described in a range of classification systems for moving, hand use, seeing, eating, communicating. All classifications use a Level I – V (1 – 5) scale where Level I means greater functional ability and Level V means less functional ability. • The classifications can help plan for your child’s health and education needs. Examples include: • The Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) which looks at large movements, like rolling, crawling or walking. • The Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) which looks at fine motor movements of the hands and arms, like handling toys. More information on each of these can be found by talking to your health provider or at: www.starship.org.nz/guidelines/ classification-systems-for-cerebral-palsy Overseas sites with CP information My CP Guide (Australia) For people with lived experience of CP. www.mycpguide.org.au CPAlliance (Australia) An organisation that provides therapy and supports research related to CP. www.cerebralpalsy.org.au/cerebral-palsy Canchild (Canada) An organisation that supports research and innovation on CP. www.canchild.ca/en/diagnoses/cerebral-palsy CP Foundation (USA) Information for families, and health professionals. www.yourcpf.org “Your child will grow and their needs change over time. It may look different in five years’ time than it does now.” - FAMILY QUOTE