erebral Palsy is a unique condition in that, even though its genesis frequently occurs prior to, during or soon after birth, the symptoms may not be enough for a diagnosis until the child is several years old and already in school. Some 1500 preschool age children receive a diagnosis of cerebral palsy each year in the United States. Only 10 percent of these children received their brain injury later than 1 month old from events such as physical abuse, a car accident, bacterial meningitis or infant stroke. Developmental or social delays may be the result of other conditions such as autism, Asperger's Syndrome, or ADHD.
Brain injury/damage occurring any time from fetus to a few years old can result in cerebral palsy, a condition that impairs the brains ability to effectively control muscles. Some of the conditions known to cause cerebral palsy include: untreated infections in the mother, substance abuse during pregnancy, physical abuse during pregnancy, premature births, lack of oxygen to the fetus, breech birth and head injuries during the birth process. Impairments associated with cerebral palsy are usually related to movement and speech, so mild cases may not provide diagnosable symptoms until years later.
A typical 4-year old can stand on one foot, run up and down stairs, throw and kick balls and hop on one or both feet. Signs that a child of this age may be experiencing certain impairments in the development of motor skills can include not being able to throw a ball overhand, ride a tricycle, scribble, jump in place, grasp writing utensils, stack 4 or more objects or copy a circle.
By age five, children with developmental impairments may not be able to stack 6 to 8 objects, hold a drawing utensil comfortably, brush teeth, copy simple geometric shapes, dress and undress themselves, use silverware, clap hands to rhythm, turn somersaults, wash and dry themselves.
Another indicator, for a child of any age, is if they lose the ability to accomplish a task they once could.
By federal law (IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004) public schools must aid in the identification, location and evaluation of children with disabilities. Children, ages 3 to 12th grade, are eligible for special education through their local school district at no cost to the family.
Brain injury/damage occurring any time from fetus to a few years old can result in cerebral palsy, a condition that impairs the brains ability to effectively control muscles. Some of the conditions known to cause cerebral palsy include: untreated infections in the mother, substance abuse during pregnancy, physical abuse during pregnancy, premature births, lack of oxygen to the fetus, breech birth and head injuries during the birth process. Impairments associated with cerebral palsy are usually related to movement and speech, so mild cases may not provide diagnosable symptoms until years later.
A typical 4-year old can stand on one foot, run up and down stairs, throw and kick balls and hop on one or both feet. Signs that a child of this age may be experiencing certain impairments in the development of motor skills can include not being able to throw a ball overhand, ride a tricycle, scribble, jump in place, grasp writing utensils, stack 4 or more objects or copy a circle.
By age five, children with developmental impairments may not be able to stack 6 to 8 objects, hold a drawing utensil comfortably, brush teeth, copy simple geometric shapes, dress and undress themselves, use silverware, clap hands to rhythm, turn somersaults, wash and dry themselves.
Another indicator, for a child of any age, is if they lose the ability to accomplish a task they once could.
By federal law (IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004) public schools must aid in the identification, location and evaluation of children with disabilities. Children, ages 3 to 12th grade, are eligible for special education through their local school district at no cost to the family.
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