Upper Extremity Function, School Performance, and Academic Success in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent movement and posture disorders caused by non-progressive disturbances in the developing brain. It is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in childhood and is frequently associated with upper extremity impairments that may affect functional independence, fine motor skills, and participation in daily and school-related activities. Upper extremity function plays a critical role in school participation, particularly in tasks such as writing, object manipulation, classroom material use, and task completion. Children with cerebral palsy often experience limitations in manual ability, which may directly or indirectly influence academic performance, school participation, and their perception of success in the school environment. Despite the known impact of motor impairments on functional outcomes, the relationship between upper extremity functionality and school-related outcomes such as academic achievement, school performance, and perceived academic success has not been sufficiently clarified in school-aged children with cerebral palsy. Existing literature generally focuses on either motor function or academic outcomes separately, and studies evaluating these domains together remain limited. In this context, a cross-sectional observational study will be conducted in school-aged children diagnosed with cerebral palsy who are actively attending school. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria and whose legal guardians provide informed consent will be included in the study. Sociodemographic and clinical data will be collected using a structured data form. Upper extremity functionality will be evaluated using the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and ABILHAND-Kids. Academic achievement will be assessed using school report card grades. School performance will be evaluated using a standardized academic performance assessment scale. Perceived academic success will be measured using a validated school success perception scale. All assessments will be performed in a single session under standardized conditions by trained physiotherapists. No intervention will be applied, and participants will continue their usual education and rehabilitation routines without any modification. The collected data will be analyzed to determine the relationship between upper extremity functionality and school-related outcomes in children with cerebral palsy.