Muscle tone and movement
Unusually floppy or stiff muscle tone, difficulty holding the head up or limited spontaneous movement.
How Is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?
Department:Cerebral Palsy Claims
When your baby misses key developmental milestones, it can be hard to know whether that is an ordinary part of their growth or a symptom of something more serious. If you have questions about your child’s development, speaking to a doctor can give you the reassurance that nothing is wrong, or allow early intervention if there is an underlying problem.
For some families, this process leads to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. It is never easy to hear that your child has cerebral palsy, but it means that treatment can begin as early as possible and lead to better outcomes, which can offer parents relief in knowing there is an explanation and a clearer path forward.
At JMW, we have worked with hundreds of families whose children have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. We know that getting a diagnosis is rarely simple, and that behind every medical term there’s a child with a personality, a family doing their best and a future that holds so much potential.
This guide will take you through how cerebral palsy is diagnosed, from the early signs parents and carers notice, through to what doctors look for, the assessments that take place, and what happens afterwards. It’s designed for parents and carers who may be at the beginning of that journey, or who simply want to understand things more clearly.
Did You Know?
Around 1-in-400 babies in the UK are diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Source: NHS
Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood.
Source: NICE
Early intervention can improve developmental outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.
Source: NHS
Recognising the Early Signs of Cerebral Palsy
Every child develops at their own pace, but certain patterns may prompt a closer look. If you are noticing the following things in your child’s development, you should share them with your health visitor, GP or paediatrician:
Babies (0-12 months)
Milestones
Delays with rolling, reaching or bringing hands together.
Feeding and swallowing
Coughing or frequent choking with feeds, prolonged feeding times.
Asymmetry
Clear preference for one hand or side very early on, or persistently making a fist with one hand.
Toddlers (1-3 years)
Posture and walking
Toe-walking, scissoring gait, or frequent falls.
Fine motor skills
Difficulty with grasping small objects or coordinating both hands.
Communication
Delay in early communication or difficulties with chewing and swallowing.
Play and interaction
Limited variety of movement during play or strong hand preference.
When to Seek Medical Advice
You don’t need to wait until your next scheduled appointment if you are concerned about your child’s development. Make an appointment with your GP and share your observations, or contact your health visitor.
Who to speak to first:
Start with your health visitor or GP. They may refer your child to a community paediatrician or paediatric neurologist for specialist assessment.
What to bring:
A record of your child’s milestones, details of any birth complications and short video clips showing how they move or feed.
How Doctors Diagnose Cerebral Palsy
Doctors will start by looking at how your child moves and interacts, alongside their development over time, and carry out tests to rule out other possible causes. The process usually involves several stages and input from multiple professionals.
Step 1: Developmental and neurological assessment
A paediatrician will examine your child’s posture, muscle tone, coordination and reflexes. These checks may take place during play or handling, and can be supported by developmental milestone charts.
Step 2: Observation over time
Because babies’ brains are still developing, it can take several appointments to confirm a diagnosis. Clinicians may monitor progress across months or years.
Step 3: Imaging and other tests
An MRI scan is the most common way to identify any injury or difference in brain development. Some children have a CT scan, ultrasound, or blood tests to rule out metabolic or genetic conditions.
Step 4: Multidisciplinary review
Paediatricians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists all contribute to a rounded view of your child’s needs. This shared insight helps shape the care plan, therapies and support your child may need next.
Diagnosis and next steps
Once doctors are confident in their findings, they will explain the diagnosis, answer any questions, and discuss any therapies and community support available to help your child’s development.
Understanding the possible origins of the condition can also be helpful at this stage. JMW has additional resources available for parents in this position:
"I would now never change who I am. Use your disability as a strength. Take every opportunity and don't get upset about the things you can't do - there's no point, you will only upset and frustrate yourself. And, give everything 100%. Your determination will make things happen." - Ellie Simpson, Founder of CP Teens UK, in our blog: Inspiring other young people with disabilities
Specialists Involved in Diagnosis
Several professionals may take part in assessing and supporting your child. Each plays a specific role in building an accurate picture of their development and future needs.
- A paediatrician or paediatric neurologist leads the assessment, coordinates tests and explains results.
- A physiotherapist evaluates movement, posture and tone. They will advise on exercises and positioning.
- An occupational therapist focuses on everyday activities such as play, dressing and feeding, and will suggest adaptations to help your child get the most out of life.
- A speech and language therapist assesses communication, swallowing and early feeding.
- Educational professionals support families through early years education and special educational needs planning.
- Community nurses and health visitors offer continuity and link families with local services.
Why Diagnosis Can Sometimes Be Delayed
Cerebral palsy can show itself in many different ways. Some children have subtle signs that are easy to miss at first, while others develop more gradually, making it harder to reach a clear diagnosis straightaway. However, delays can also occur when opportunities for earlier assessment are missed, or when professionals miss signs and fail to arrange investigations that could have provided clarity.
Speak to the Cerebral Palsy Solicitors at JMW
A delayed diagnosis can add to the challenges families face, but a more serious concern is that cerebral palsy is often avoidable. In many cases, the condition is caused by mistakes made before, during or shortly after birth.
Early recognition of cerebral palsy can help a child access therapy and support, but when the condition itself has been caused by medical negligence, the consequences reach far beyond delay.
The medical negligence experts at JMW can explain the process for looking into what happened and whether avoidable harm occurred. Our team includes members of the Law Society’s specialist panel of clinical negligence solicitors and the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) solicitors panel.
Call us on 0345 872 6666 or visit our Cerebral Palsy Hub to learn more about how we help families, and hear inspirational stories from people with cerebral palsy living their lives to the full.
Did you find this post interesting? Share it on:
