Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological disorders that affects movement, muscle tone, and motor skills. Symptoms depend on the type of CP and the extent of brain damage.

Common signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy include:

• Abnormal posture
• Curved spine (scoliosis)
• Delayed milestones
• Hearing and vision impairments
• Learning disabilities
• Movement difficulties
• Muscle tone abnormalities
• Seizures (epilepsy)
• Speech and communication problems

Each individual with CP may experience a unique combination of symptoms, making personalized care important.

Signs of Cerebral Palsy in Babies

Early signs of cerebral palsy in infants can vary based on the severity of the condition and the type, but they typically involve issues with muscle tone, movement, coordination, and posture.

Signs of cerebral palsy in babies may become noticeable in the first months of life or as the child grows older and misses developmental milestones.

“Symptoms are usually seen before a child is 2 years old. Sometimes symptoms begin as early as 3 months. Parents may notice that their child is delayed in reaching developmental stages such as sitting, rolling, crawling, or walking.”

– Penn Medicine

Symptoms of cerebral palsy in infants include:

• Abnormal muscle tone
• Developmental delays
• Difficulty grasping objects or clapping their hands
• Excessive drooling
• Inability to hold up their head
• Legs that scissor or stiffen when picked up
• Problems feeding or swallowing
• Weak arms or legs

If your child is showing cerebral palsy symptoms, they may have suffered brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. Contact a pediatrician as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help improve outcomes for babies with cerebral palsy.

Next, consider reaching out to a cerebral palsy lawyer. When cerebral palsy is caused by a medical mistake, families may be able to take legal action and seek compensation to help pay for their child’s care and provide them with the best life possible.

LawFirm.com works with attorneys who have secured over $962 million for children with CP and other birth injuries. See if we can connect you during a free case review.

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Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy by Type

There are five main types of cerebral palsy that correspond with the location of the brain injury, and each one has different symptoms.

“Symptoms may vary greatly among individuals, depending on which parts of the brain have been injured.”

– National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Spastic Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common type of CP, affecting about 80% of people with the condition. It is characterized by increased muscle tone (spasticity), which leads to stiffness, tightness, and difficulty with movement.

Common symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy include:

• Abnormal movements and posture
• Muscle stiffness on one or both sides of the body
• Permanently tightened muscles or joints
• Trouble walking

Depending on the affected areas of the body, this type of cerebral palsy can affect one side of the body (hemiplegia), both legs (diplegia), or both arms and legs (quadriplegia).

Spastic cerebral palsy can be managed with physical therapy, medications like muscle relaxants, and orthopedic surgery. Early intervention can help improve mobility and function and lessen cerebral palsy symptoms.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

Children with ataxic cerebral palsy typically have problems with balance and coordination due to damage to the brain’s cerebellum, which coordinates movement and balance.

Cerebral palsy symptoms can vary based on muscle tone. On some days, the body may feel weak and floppy, while on others, it may be stiff and rigid.

Symptoms of ataxic cerebral palsy include:

• Depth perception problems
• Feet spread apart when walking
• Jerky movements and shakiness
• Poor coordination
• Speech difficulties

Babies or young children with ataxic cerebral palsy may be slower to achieve motor milestones, such as sitting up, crawling, or walking.

Ataxic cerebral palsy can be managed through physical therapy to improve balance and coordination, occupational therapy to assist with fine motor skills, and speech therapy for communication difficulties.

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

Athetoid cerebral palsy, also known as dyskinetic cerebral palsy, is characterized by involuntary movements and muscle tone. This type of cerebral palsy affects the basal ganglia, the part of the brain that controls movement.

Symptoms of athetoid cerebral palsy include:

• Abnormal posture
• Feeding problems
• Floppy limbs
• Rigid or stiff muscles

An early diagnosis and proper treatment can help those with this type of CP improve their movement.

Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

Hypotonic cerebral palsy, also known as hypotonia, is marked by low muscle tone, leading to a lack of muscle strength. This results in floppy muscles that make it difficult to control movement and maintain posture.

Symptoms of hypotonic cerebral palsy include:

• Flexible joints and ligaments
• Floppiness
• Lack of head control
• Poor balance and stability

The earlier treatment begins, the better the chances for improved motor development.

Mixed Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

Mixed cerebral palsy occurs when there has been damage to multiple parts of the brain, leading to a combination of motor impairments. The most common combination is spastic-athetoid, but other types, like ataxic and hypotonic, can also be mixed.

Diagnosing the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy symptoms by evaluating a child’s motor function, developmental progress, and brain function. The process is often done in early childhood when motor delays or abnormal movements become noticeable.

The diagnosis of cerebral palsy signs and symptoms may include:

• Observation of early symptoms of cerebral palsy: Parents may notice their child isn’t hitting developmental milestones, like rolling over, sitting, crawling, or walking.
• Developmental screenings: During regular pediatric visits, doctors check how the child is progressing with basic skills. They may evaluate their muscle tone, reflexes, and coordination.
• Diagnostic tests: To confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of a cerebral palsy brain injury, imaging tests are used. These include MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds. Children with CP may have hearing or vision problems, so other specialized tests may also be performed.

The diagnosis of cerebral palsy symptoms typically occurs over time, with doctors observing how your child develops and ruling out other potential health conditions. Since signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy can change, doctors may need to monitor your child’s development over a period of months before confirming a diagnosis.

You may be entitled to compensation to help pay for your child’s cerebral palsy treatment and related expenses. See if we may be able to help by getting a free case review.

Get the Help Your Child Deserves

Take the first step toward compensation and justice for cerebral palsy.

Get a Free Case Review

Treatment of Cerebral Palsy Signs and Symptoms

Managing cerebral palsy symptoms often involves multiple treatments tailored to each person’s specific needs based on the type and severity of their CP.

Treatments for common symptoms of cerebral palsy include:

• Assistive devices: Braces, walkers, wheelchairs, and communication tools can help with mobility and independence
• Medications: One drug used to treat CP symptoms is baclofen, which acts on spinal cord nerves to decrease muscle spasms and involuntary movements
• Occupational therapy: For improving fine motor skills and daily activities
• Physical therapy: To improve muscle strength and movement
• Speech therapy: Addresses communication and feeding problems
• Surgery: Sometimes used to correct muscle contractures or joint problems

“Many resources we have today were not available when I was first diagnosed. Had they been, my parents would have had an easier time handling my disability.”

– Amie Kroessig, a LawFirm.com contributor living with cerebral palsy

Your child’s doctor can develop a treatment plan to help lessen their cerebral palsy symptoms and live the best life possible.

Get Help From a Cerebral Palsy Law Firm

The impact of cerebral palsy symptoms on your child’s everyday life can be far-reaching, affecting their physical abilities, communication abilities, education, and overall well-being.

While treatments can help manage symptoms and enhance your child’s quality of life, they can be expensive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that it costs over $1 million to provide lifetime care for an individual with CP.

LawFirm.com works with cerebral palsy law firms that are dedicated to helping families secure the compensation they need to help pay for treatments and give their children a brighter future.

Our trusted legal partners:

• Can file cerebral palsy lawsuits in all 50 states
• Have secured over $962 million for families impacted by birth injuries
• Never charge any upfront or hourly fees

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our contact form to take the first step toward the compensation and justice your child deserves.