How is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?
Cerebral palsy is usually diagnosed before the age of three. An infant with cerebral palsy may display an abnormally limp or rigid posture. Spastic muscles characterize some cases of cerebral palsy, while in others the muscles are unusually slack. Certain early reflexes that are present in newborns, but normally disappear within several weeks, remain for much longer in children affected by cerebral palsy. Babies with cerebral palsy are typically slow to reach developmental milestones, such as sitting, crawling, and walking. Their sense of balance may be impaired, and certain children may have fits or seizures. Such children may also demonstrate atypical behavior, either by crying and fussing excessively or by showing very little emotion.
