Developmental Delays in Children With Cerebral Palsy – Ages 4-5 Years

Cerebral Palsy is a unique condition in that, although its genesis frequently occurs before, during, or shortly after birth, symptoms may not be sufficient for a diagnosis until the child is several years old and in school. About 1,500 preschool children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year in the United States. Only 10 percent of these children suffered a brain injury after 1 month due to events such as physical abuse, a car accident, bacterial meningitis, or childhood stroke. Developmental or social delays can be the result of other conditions such as autism, Asperger’s syndrome, or ADHD.

Brain injury/damage that occurs at any time from the fetus to a few years of age can lead to cerebral palsy, as long as it impairs the brain’s ability to control muscles effectively. Some of the conditions known to cause cerebral palsy include: untreated infections in the mother, substance abuse during pregnancy, physical abuse during pregnancy, premature birth, lack of oxygen to the fetus, breech birth, and head injury during the birthing process. Impairments associated with cerebral palsy are usually related to movement and speech, so mild cases may not present with diagnosable symptoms until years later.

A typical 4-year-old can stand on one foot, walk up and down stairs, throw and kick balls, and jump on one or both feet. Signs that a child this age may be experiencing certain deficiencies in motor skill development may include not being able to throw a ball overhand, riding a tricycle, scribbling, jumping in place, grasping writing utensils, stack 4 or more objects or copy a circle.

By age five, children with developmental problems may not be able to stack 6 to 8 objects, hold a drawing utensil comfortably, brush their teeth, copy simple geometric shapes, dress and undress themselves, use cutlery, clap their hands to the rhythm, somersaults, wash and dry.

Another indicator, for a child of any age, is if he loses the ability to perform a task that he once could.

By federal law (IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004), public schools must assist in the identification, placement, and evaluation of children with disabilities. Children ages 3-12 are eligible to receive special education through their local school district at no cost to the family.

For your child with cerebral palsy to access special education services, contact any elementary school in the area. They will direct you to area offices where you can schedule a free evaluation. In addition, NICHCY (the National Clearinghouse for Children with Disabilities) provides contact information for all 50 states with local agencies qualified to handle disability services.

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