| Cerebral palsy (CP) impairs movement and | | | | - After 2 months, the head movements are not |
| coordination of the muscles. It is caused when there | | | | controlled well |
| is damage done to the brain. Some children are born | | | | - Cannot sit on their own after 10 months |
| with this disability and there are others that develop | | | | - Cannot crawl or stand after 1 year |
| the condition due to an injury suffered after delivery. | | | | - One side of body drags |
| It is not always evident that a newborn has it just | | | | - Does not walk after 2 years of age |
| because of the lack of mobility already in an infant. | | | | These are not the only the signs to be aware of, |
| Symptoms are more noticeable as the child gets | | | | other signs are muscle stiffness or overly relaxed |
| older. Symptoms are not always the same for each | | | | muscles. Muscle impairment also will affect their |
| child and it also depends on the severity of the | | | | posture. Parents should also be aware that hand |
| condition. Some types of cerebral palsy are: | | | | preference of a child usually happens after 12 |
| - Spastic: This type of cerebral palsy is the most | | | | months. If you child is showing early signs of hand |
| seen in children and it can affect either one side of | | | | preference can be a sign of CP. |
| the body or affect the entire body. This type | | | | Associated Conditions, Symptoms & Diagnosis |
| involves muscle spasms and their body is stiff making | | | | Children with cerebral palsy symptoms also |
| it hard to move the limbs. | | | | experience other conditions such as: |
| - Athetoid: Movements in this type are abnormal. | | | | - Seizures |
| They can be jerking, slow, not controlled movements. | | | | - Problem with breathing |
| - Ataxic: This condition is not as common, the balance | | | | - Impairments with vision, speech, or hearing |
| and coordination is off. | | | | - They are mentally challenged |
| - Mixed: This condition usually is made of symptoms | | | | If there are signs that something is wrong with your |
| of other cerebral palsy types. | | | | child, you need to take them in to see a doctor |
| Is Your Child Displaying CP Symptoms? | | | | immediately. Doctors will diagnose your child using |
| One main symptom of cerebral palsy is the delay in | | | | MRIs, EEGs, CT scans and other related tests. |
| their development. As children grow they will reach | | | | If your child is diagnosed with CP due to medical |
| certain milestones from a baby until early childhood. If | | | | neglect you should contact a medical malpractice |
| you are not seeing some of the milestones in your | | | | attorney right away. You may be able to recover |
| child then take them to see a physician. | | | | some monetary losses from the injury. Call an |
| Some factors that your child may have some | | | | experienced attorney to find out more. |
| developmental delays are: | | | | |