Diagnosing CP

Before I dig into the difficulties of diagnosing cerebral palsy -

This an incredible story about two parents, Adele and her husband Laurence, both diagnosed with CP. Even if you only have time to watch the first couple minutes, the video brings up some really interesting issues. Parents with disabilities face a lot of stigma and a lot of logistical complications as they navigate the healthcare system and the physical demands of raising a child.

There isn't just one diagnostic test to determine whether a child has CP or not. At regular well-child checks, a child's healthcare provider will monitor their development, and at certain ages (9, 18, and 24 or 30 months) will do a series of tests to see how the child's motor skills, language, and social skills compare to other children their age. Through these tests, the difficulty with muscle control that defines CP can be identified.

Providers will look at things like a baby's height and weight, posture, reflexes, muscle tone, and interaction with parents.

Some children are more difficult to diagnose than others. I've highlighted the diversity of experiences and issues faced by people living with CP, and that diversity is even present in infancy. Some people with CP may have gross motor development delays that are large enough to be seen by a caregiver at 9 months. Others might have mild movement delays that aren't clear until the child is two years old.

It's also important to remember that a diagnosis of cerebral palsy does not mean anything certain about a child's future. Adele says in the documentary above that the doctors her family worked with told them she would never walk-- and yet as an adult woman, she walks smoothly with a cane, and is an adept mother.

Learn more about CP diagnosis at cerebralpalsy.org and from the CDC.