8 Clinical Signs of Cerebral Palsy

Since cerebral palsy is most often diagnosed in the first several years of life, when a child is too young to effectively communicate his or her own symptoms. Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition which primarily causes orthopedic impairment. 

Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury or brain abnormality that interferes with the brain cells responsible for controlling muscle tone, strength, and coordination. 

 The eight clinical signs of cerebral palsy involve:

 • Muscle Tone

 • Movement Coordination and Control

 • Reflexes

 • Posture

 • Balance

 • Fine Motor Function

 • Gross Motor Function 

• Oral Motor Dysfunction 

 I noticed that Elizabeth had very tight muscle tone and her gross and fine motor function on her left side was different from her right side. I noticed this when she was about 5-6 months old. 

Her doctors at Kennedy Krieger diagnosed her with a neuromotor abnormality at first but after an updated MRI and a visit with her neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins it was decided that she did have CP. If any parents have any questions about her CP, please feel free to ask. I am happy to discuss what we have been through so far. 

It has been a difficult road and it can be hard to see your child not move and get around like other children, but I am so proud of how far Elizabeth has come. She amazes me every day. It's so important to keep up with physical and occupational therapy. Without the therapy I know she wouldn't be able to do the things she can do now. 

  I found the above info from CerebralPalsy.org #CPorgInformation