How is cerebral palsy diagnosed in children?

Although a diagnosis of CP is often given early in a child's life, between 12 to 24 months, many doctors prefer to wait until the child is a little bit older to confirm a diagnosis. In the earlier stages of a child's development, from birth to two years, a child's brain and nervous system is still developing. Early diagnosis is important in helping with therapies and things that can make a difference in an impact on the child's developmental trajectory

In terms of a formal evaluation, the Gross Motor Function Classification System is sometimes used to determine the levels of mobility and gross motor skills in a person with CP. Some common tests that doctors use to confirm a CP diagnosis and rule out other diagnoses include:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Cranial ultrasound
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• X-rays and EOS imaging
• Lab tests, such as blood, urine, and skin samples

New diagnostic tools such as genetic testing have made diagnosis of CP more precise.

For more information about diagnosis and interventions, see our full article Cerebral Palsy (CP) 101.