Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis

A cerebral palsy diagnosis takes place over time and is not made based on one visit with a doctor. Because the disorder is intertwined with a child's developmental stages, indicators of cerebral palsy will become more noticeable as a child matures during the first stages of his or her life.

Symptoms of Brain Injury:

During the first few months of an infant's life, symptoms of brain injury may include lethargy, irritability, trembling of the arms and legs, poor feeding abilities, underdeveloped muscle tone, irregular posture, seizures, body twitching, or abnormal reflexes. As the infant grows to become six months old, he or she may experience a dramatic change in muscle tone, hold his or her hands in tight fists, feed poorly, or be unable to move symmetrically.

Developmental Delay Diagnosis:

In most instances, by six months of age it is apparent that a child is experiencing some level of developmental delay. Although this may be a good time for parents to ask their doctor about cerebral palsy, doctors are usually reluctant to make a diagnosis until tests are conducted and time is given to allow the child to mature at his or her own pace. To make a diagnosis, a doctor must conduct a complete examination of the child's health status. This process may include a series of tests to rule out other possible explanations of slower than normal development.