Cerebral Palsy

Best Treatment - Common treatments include medicines; surgery; braces; and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. No single treatment is the best one for all children with CP. Before deciding on a treatment plan, it is important to talk with the child's doctor to understand all the risks and benefits.

Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy can become more apparent over time, so a diagnosis might not be made until a few months to a year after birth. In some cases where the signs and symptoms are mild, diagnosis may be delayed longer.

If your family doctor or pediatrician suspects your child has cerebral palsy, he or she will evaluate your child's signs and symptoms, monitor growth and development, review your child's medical history, and conduct a physical exam. Your doctor might refer you to specialists trained in treating children with brain and nervous system conditions, such as a pediatric neurologist, pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, and child developmental specialist.

Your doctor might also order a series of tests to make a diagnosis and rule out other possible causes.