Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong neurological condition caused by early brain injury, often leading to difficulties with movement, posture, and muscle coordination. As the most common motor disability in children, CP can sometimes result from medical errors during childbirth. If so, families may qualify for financial compensation.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological movement disorders that affect posture, coordination, muscle tone and how a person moves. The term "cerebral" refers to the brain, while "palsy" describes a lack of muscle control.
These challenges can range from mild to severe and differ from one individual to another. CP is typically the result of brain damage, often occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. However, it's not always diagnosed immediately; it's common for symptoms to become more noticeable during a child's first or second year.
Because the severity and type of cerebral palsy can vary so widely, the effects on the body also differ. In mild cases, a child may have a slight limp or subtle motor difficulties. In more severe cases, CP can lead to significant physical disabilities and impact overall development.
While cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition and has no known cure, fortunately it does not worsen over time. Early support, therapy, and medical care can make a significant difference.
CP can present a significant financial burden on families of those affected, with estimates for lifelong care up to $1.7 million. If your child has been diagnosed with CP, it's important to find out if you're entitled to an award to improve their wellbeing.
The Cerebral Palsy Center works only with lawyers who specialize in birth injury lawsuits, and have handled thousands of cases nationwide. Contact us today to speak directly with a lawyer.
Delays in reaching key developmental milestones — such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking — are often some of the first signs of cerebral palsy.
Infants affected by cerebral palsy can have trouble with balance, muscle control and coordination. This may be displayed with certain early behavior or symptoms of cerebral palsy.
In addition, early cerebral palsy may cause babies to:
Other early signs that are noticeable to parents involve delayed motor skills, like struggling to bring hands to their mouth or grasping objects.
Finally, babies that have difficulty focusing their vision, who display extraordinary fussiness, or who have decreased reflexes may be exhibiting early signs of cerebral palsy.
While these types of delays in development don't always mean a child has cerebral palsy, they are important signs that may warrant a closer medical evaluation. If you have concerns about your child's rate of development, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
The patient advocates and nurses at Cerebral Palsy Center are available 24/7 to discuss your child's condition and offer assistance. Contact us today for a free and confidential evaluation.
Cerebral palsy is the most common movement disorder among children in the United States, affecting around 1 in every 340 children born.
Cerebral palsy symptoms in babies can lead to a range of physical and neurological challenges that impact early development. Because every child is different, symptoms may vary depending on the location, type and extent of brain injury.
Common signs of cerebral palsy include challenges with balance and posture, involuntary movements, muscle stiffness and poor coordination. Physical symptoms often include:
These symptoms are related to the nervous system and brain, and can result in communication, sensory and learning problems:
If you detect any of these symptoms in your child, it is important to speak with their pediatrician.
If you suspect your child may be exhibiting signs of cerebral palsy, you should contact their doctor as soon as possible. The following are concerning signs by age.
Our compassionate nurses can help you understand your child's symptoms and determine whether mistakes were made during your delivery. Get a free evaluation today.
Cerebral palsy may be caused by a number of different factors that interfere with brain development. These are typically classified as congenital (about 85–90% of cases, occurring before, during or just after birth) or acquired (brain damage occurring more than 28 days after birth).
Some of the most common risk factors and causes of cerebral palsy include:
Sadly, many cases of cerebral palsy are caused by preventable birth injuries resulting from medical malpractice. This occurs when healthcare professionals fail to provide the standard of care expected during labor and delivery.
Some of the medical mistakes that can result in cerebral palsy include:
Doctors and hospital staff receive years of expert training in order to act quickly and carefully to protect both mother and infant. When that care falls short and causes harm to a child, their insurance coverage should be held accountable for the damages.
Very often, parents don't receive a full explanation of what mistakes caused their child's injury, or doctors evade questions about negligence. Therefore, if you suspect a mistake was made, it is important to speak with a qualified birth injury lawyer.
The Cerebral Palsy Center has qualified lawyers on staff that can discuss your case today at no cost. Request a free case review to find out if your family qualifies for compensation.
Although a child may show signs of cerebral palsy as early as 6 months of age, doctors follow a process of developmental and medical testing to form a definitive cerebral palsy diagnosis. It usually takes between the ages of 18 months and 5 years to properly diagnose CP.
Developmental monitoring is an important part of well-child visits, especially for children at higher risk of cerebral palsy due to factors like low birth weight or premature birth. During these checkups, doctors track your child's growth, observe their movements, and discuss any concerns you may have. If CP is suspected, your child's development will be closely monitored over time to identify delays or signs of motor issues.
These quick tests can identify potential delays in your child's motor skills or overall development. They typically involve short assessments conducted by a healthcare provider or simple questionnaires completed by parents.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screenings at 9 months, 18 months, and 24–30 months to catch developmental delays early. If concerns emerge during a screening, your pediatrician may refer your child for further evaluation.
Developmental evaluations are thorough assessments designed to pinpoint the specific developmental disorder affecting your child. These are typically conducted by specialists such as pediatric rehabilitation experts, developmental pediatricians or pediatric neurologists.
During this evaluation, experts will discuss your child's detailed medical history, then carefully assess their motor skills, muscle tone, posture, movements, and reflexes.
Specialized medical evaluations can provide clearer results than initial screenings. Some of the imaging tests frequently used to diagnose cerebral palsy include:
In addition, doctors may request other medical testing to confirm a diagnosis, including hearing and vision tests, cognitive functioning tests, genetic or metabolic testing, speech and language tests, oral tests that measure feeding and swallowing, neurological muscle and nerve tests, and gait testing.
A combination of these methods is often used to arrive at a clear diagnosis. Identifying the specific type of CP can be as important as early detection to effectively manage your child's condition.
At present, we don't understand enough about the brain damage that causes cerebral palsy to prevent it entirely. However, there are steps expectant mothers can take to limit the risk factors.
Mothers may reduce the risks of cerebral palsy by:
Doctors and hospital staff are specially trained to monitor for signs of fetal distress before and during delivery. However, mistakes can be made that have long-term effects.
If you believe your child's cerebral palsy may have been caused by a medical error, you can request a free, no-obligation case review. Speak with a lawyer today.
Cerebral palsy is generally classified into five main types, depending on which area of the brain is damaged, the severity of the damage, and the parts of the body or movement affected.
The main types of cerebral palsy are:
Through screening and medical testing, doctors can usually determine which type of cerebral palsy a child has within the first 2–5 years. The CDC recommends testing as soon as possible in order to begin effective treatment and maximize benefits.
The brain injuries that lead to cerebral palsy can also cause other related conditions, sometimes referred to as comorbidities. Fortunately, most of these associated conditions can be managed with proper treatment.
Some of the disorders that may develop with cerebral palsy include:
It's important for children with cerebral palsy to be properly screened for coexisting conditions like these to ensure they're receiving the most complete care necessary.
While cerebral palsy can present physical and cognitive limitations, the condition doesn't generally worsen over time and doesn't affect life expectancy. Many people with CP live full and rewarding lives.
Similar to the screenings and medical testing needed to diagnose cerebral palsy, doctors will measure a child's reflexes, motor skills, and whether they reach certain developmental milestones in order to determine their prognosis.
Depending on these examinations, your child's doctor will offer a prognosis and specifically the limitations you should expect. These often include:
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, around 25% of children with cerebral palsy will suffer from epilepsy, 33% will have limited mobility, and 50% are likely to have a learning disability. Depending on your child's prognosis, a treatment and therapy plan can be customized to best manage their symptoms.
People living with cerebral palsy frequently find creative approaches to engage in activities, reach their goals, and make valuable contributions to their communities. Learn about living with CP.
Although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, treatment can be especially effective at managing symptoms and optimizing a child's quality of life. A thorough treatment plan typically focuses on mobility, muscle control and the ability to independently perform daily activities.
Cerebral palsy treatment plans are designed by your child's doctor, and often use a combination of therapy, medication, assistive devices, mobility aids, and surgery. Each plan is unique to the child's needs.
As with early detection, it is essential to start a treatment plan as early as possible to foster brain development and overcome difficulties related to movement and mobility.
Therapy can be especially helpful to children diagnosed with CP to help strengthen muscles, improve fine motor skills, and uncover creative strategies to boost their independence.
Children who begin physical and occupational therapy before age three show significantly improved motor function and independence. A consistent therapy routine helps build neural pathways and strengthen muscles during the brain's most adaptable years.
Your care team can help design a therapy plan tailored to your child's specific type of CP and developmental goals.
Explore therapy options →Although there are no medications to treat the underlying condition of CP, several are used to manage symptoms:
These specialized devices use technology to ease tasks related to learning, communication and sensory detection:
Mobility aids are designed to help children with cerebral palsy gain independence by allowing movement around the home, school or while away from home. Depending on a child's limitations, mobility aids may focus on allowing them to stand or walk more freely, or serve as a substitute for walking altogether.
Common mobility aids prescribed for children with cerebral palsy include:
At this time there is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, providers can design a treatment plan that enhances mobility, motor skills, independence and quality of life.
Some children with cerebral palsy may benefit from surgery. This is usually considered only after less-invasive treatments like therapy and medication have failed. Most surgeries focus on relieving tight muscles (spasticity), managing uncontrollable movement, or correcting abnormalities.
Surgical options include:
For many people dealing with cerebral palsy, these surgical procedures can provide a more permanent treatment for symptoms than ongoing therapy and medications alone.
Research into cerebral palsy treatment is advancing rapidly. While the U.S. FDA has not approved any alternative therapies for cerebral palsy to date, emerging technologies bring promise. Current areas of study include:
Much of this research is driven by leading organizations such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
A cerebral palsy lawsuit may provide valuable financial compensation for your child's ongoing care. Speak with a lawyer today to learn about your options.
While cerebral palsy can present unique challenges, it can also bring a renewed focus on love, resilience and priorities. Many types do not affect lifespan, and none worsen over time.
After the initial focus on your child's diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, your thoughts as a parent will turn to how your child and family will live with cerebral palsy.
People living with cerebral palsy frequently find creative approaches to engage in activities, reach their goals, and make valuable contributions to their communities.
An early focus will be optimizing your child's comfort and mobility, including transportation, sleeping adaptations, and mobility and assistive devices. It's also important to seek out activities and exercise habits that match your child's capabilities, offering significant advantages to their physical and mental health that persist into adulthood.
You'll learn about the special needs of your child for meal preparation, feeding, drinking and snacks. As many children with CP benefit from a healthy diet of whole foods, this can also inspire better nutrition for the entire family.
While many children with cerebral palsy face communication challenges, evolving assistive device technology offers continual promise. Encourage early adoption of communication aids and stay informed about the latest technology available to your child.
At the earliest opportunity, establish an education plan that matches your child's cognitive ability. It is essential to develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) with the help of professionals. Parents should encourage inclusion in general education classes whenever possible.
Finally, parents should set goals for their child's transition into adulthood. While cerebral palsy presents challenges in the teenage years, many young people can look forward to continuing their education into college or vocational school, and begin thinking of a career path that fits within their capabilities.
Studies estimate that the cost to a family for lifelong care of a child with cerebral palsy can be up to $1.7 million. It's important to explore all financial support available.
Some of the most common costs associated with CP include:
While health insurance, government programs, grants, community organizations, and charity may contribute to some of these costs, there is usually a shortfall that must be covered by the family itself.
In many cases, a child's injury can be traced back to a mistake made by doctors or hospital staff. These professionals and facilities are insured to help compensate victims for this very reason.
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you may be entitled to a substantial award to help with their care. Our network of lawyers have helped thousands of families. Contact us today to speak directly with a lawyer.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder caused by brain injury or incomplete brain development. It can affect posture, coordination, muscle tone, and movement. In severe cases it can also affect speech, hearing and cognitive functioning.
While we don't know enough about the causes of brain damage to prevent CP entirely, there are steps mothers can take to limit risk factors. These include prioritizing prenatal health and medical visits, avoiding drugs and alcohol, guarding against viruses, minimizing risks for preterm delivery and monitoring for jaundice.
Most people who develop cerebral palsy have a comparable life expectancy to other individuals. With advancing technologies in treatment and assistive devices, those with CP can enjoy a rewarding quality of life.
The brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy does not worsen over time. In most cases, early detection will allow effective management of CP symptoms so that they become less burdensome into adulthood.
Some early signs include unusual posture, muscle stiffness or floppy movement, favoring one side of the body, trouble feeding or swallowing, difficulty focusing vision, and delays in rolling over, sitting up or crawling.
Most cases are caused by injury to an infant's brain before, during or just after delivery. Risk factors include medical mistakes causing delayed birth or brain trauma, infections, premature birth, untreated jaundice, lack of oxygen to the brain and prenatal exposure to toxins.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, the condition doesn't worsen over time, and through early detection, therapy, and medical treatment, the symptoms can be more effectively managed.
The best treatment is a customized combination of physical therapy, communication therapy, occupational therapy, medication, surgery and adaptation with assistive devices.
Yes, approximately 66% of those with cerebral palsy are able to walk. Many can do so without aid while some may require certain assistive or mobility aids.
Yes, approximately 75% of those with cerebral palsy are able to speak. Even with speech and hearing limitations, assistive technology now makes communication possible for many others.
Experts are hopeful that stem cell therapy may someday hold the key to repairing damaged brain tissue. However, research is still ongoing and an approved method is not yet available.
Kelsey is an experienced surgical nurse who works extensively with pediatric patients and families navigating birth injuries and cerebral palsy diagnoses. She is licensed by the Missouri Board of Nursing and operates under the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing her to practice across compact-member states. As both a mentor and patient advocate, Kelsey focuses on safety, communication, and compassionate care — helping families understand medical procedures, treatment options, and the realities of pediatric conditions.
View Kelsey Pabst, RN's full bio →
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