Cerebral palsy affects movement, balance, and posture, and it begins as the brain develops. Families often search for answers when delays appear, and cerebral palsy becomes a topic filled with questions. This guide shares essential information to help families understand the condition and make informed decisions during early stages of concern.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
What Families Should Know About Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) includes several conditions that affect how a child moves and maintains balance. CP results from brain damage that happens during development, most often before birth. According to the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, about 1 in 345 children in the United States has CP.
CP lasts throughout life, yet many interventions can reduce the impact on daily activities and help a child grow with better support.
The CDC reports that CP appears more often in boys than girls and more often in Black children compared with white children. Many children with CP also have another condition that appears alongside it. These are called co-occurring conditions.
About 40% of children with CP also have epilepsy, and about 10% also have autism spectrum disorder. These differences vary from child to child, and early awareness helps families take quicker steps toward evaluations.
Causes and Risk Factors Linked to Cerebral Palsy
Most cases are congenital, stemming from brain damage before or during birth. Risk factors include:
- Being born too small
- Being born too early
- Being part of a twin or multiple birth
- Being conceived through IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies
- Having a mother with an infection during pregnancy
- Experiencing kernicterus from severe, untreated newborn jaundice
- Having complications during birth
These factors do not cause CP in every child but indicate a need for closer observation of developmental milestones.
Movement Milestones and Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy
A baby grows through movement milestones from birth to age 5. Rolling over, sitting up, standing, and walking show progress during the early years. A delay sometimes signals CP, though it can also occur in children without CP.
In a 3–6-month-old baby:
- The head falls back when picked up while lying on its back
- The body feels stiff
- Body feels floppy
- Back and neck overextend when cradled
- Legs stiffen and cross when picked up
In a baby older than 6 months:
- No rolling over
- Trouble bringing hands together
- Trouble bringing hands to the mouth
- Reaches with one hand while keeping the other in a fist
In a baby older than 10 months:
- Crawls in a lopsided pattern
- Pushes off with one side while dragging the opposite side
- Scoots or hops, rather than crawling on all fours
Observing these early signs allows families to bring detailed information to a nurse or doctor for timely evaluation.
What Families Can Do if Delays or Concerns Appear
Families who feel their child might not meet movement milestones or show signs linked with cerebral palsy can contact a nurse or doctor to begin a conversation.
A care provider can refer the child to a specialist for a full evaluation. Families can also request a free developmental evaluation through their state’s early childhood system, often called a Child Find evaluation, which does not require a referral.
Your next steps depend on the child’s age:
- Families can contact their local intervention system for children younger than 3 years. The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) at (919) 962-2001 can give state-specific contacts.
- Families can contact their local public school district for children 3 or older. The school district completes evaluations even when a child is not enrolled in public school or is not yet old enough for kindergarten. A call to a local elementary school or board of education connects families with the correct office.
These steps help families start services, therapies, and support sooner, so the child receives help during vital developmental years.
How Cerebral Palsy Affects Children in Daily Life
Families often want to understand how CP affects daily routines. CP varies from child to child based on which muscles, movements, or reflexes the brain injury influenced.
Some children have mild symptoms, such as slight stiffness, while others have challenges with balance, coordination, or walking. Many children benefit from physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy, depending on what skills need the most support.
Mobility devices, home care programs, and consistent therapy plans help children build daily comfort and independence. Progress may come in small steps. Nevertheless, those small steps bring big improvements for families working together through CP.
Support for Families Tackling Cerebral Palsy
Families managing cerebral palsy often seek guidance, faster answers, and practical steps to create a smoother path forward. Our community at Voyager Home Health Care supports families through programs that help parents and loved ones actively participate in daily care routines. Colorado families can access our Parent CNA, IHSS, and CHCBS programs for children who qualify. These programs keep families engaged, helping the home feel safe, nurturing, and structured for growth.
Our team responds quickly, offers same-day assessments when possible, and provides 24/7 phone support. Colorado families who want more details about Parent CNA, IHSS, CHCBS, or available caregiving roles can contact us at any time to discuss personalized options.
Call or text us at 719-401-5654 so our team can walk with you through your next steps.
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