The motor dysfunctions that result in the incapacity and participation limitations in individuals with Cerebral Palsy (CP) are described as adjacent alterations from their pathology. The characterization of daily activities and participation is still little explored and studied in the literature to assist practice. We need to know the characteristics of the participation of adolescents with CP to guide a more assertive clinical practice.

To explore associations between the functional level and the frequency of social participation of adolescents with CP.

Observational cross-sectional study. Adolescents diagnosed with CP, between 12 and 17 years old, without associated cognitive or behavioral changes were assessed. The adolescents were classified by the Brazilian Economic classification criteria ABEP-2022, and regarding the frequency of participation at home, school and community by the Participation scale and environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY) and the functional levels classified by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) and Vision Function Classification System (VFCS). Data were analyzed descriptively and through Spearman correlations, using the Statistical Package for Social Science.

10 adolescents were evaluated, 5 boys and 5 girls, with a mean age of 13.90 (±1.79). Regarding socioeconomic status, measured by ABEP, 3 (30%) of the adolescents were classified as B2, 3 (30%) as C1 and 4 (40%) as C2. Classifications of functional levels were: GMFCS level I = 4 (40%), II = 1 (10%), IV = 3 (30%) and V = 2 (20%); MACS level I = 4 (40%), II = 3 (30%) and IV = 3 (30%); CFCS level I = 2 (20%), II = 3 (30%), III = 4 (40%) and IV = 1 (10%); EDACS level I = 4 (40%), II = 2 (20%), III = 2 (20%), IV = 1 (10%) and V = 1 (10%); and VFCS level I = 7 (70%), II = 2 (20%) and III = 1 (10%). Significant negative correlations were found between GMFCS levels and the frequency of participation at school (rho = -0.72; r² = 0.34; p-value = 0.01). No significant correlations were observed between participation and functional levels of MACS, EDACS, VFCS, CFCS.

These preliminary data may indicate a tendency that the better the gross motor function (GMFCS) the better the frequency of participation in activities in the school environment for adolescents with CP. These results suggest that better motor skills may facilitate activities in the school environment.

Knowledge about the influence of functionality on the participation of adolescents with CP is essential to guide individualized and family-centered clinical practice. Furthermore, it is essential to verify the influence of factors related to the body function and levels of frequency in social participation experienced by these individuals in different environments.