Cerebral palsy symptoms
Cerebral palsy symptoms vary based on the type and severity of brain damage. Babies may have stiff or floppy muscles, delays in sitting up or walking, or trouble grasping objects.
Some children also experience speech, vision, or balance issues. Learn how to recognize cerebral palsy symptoms and what steps to take next.
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What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) symptoms usually involve movement, muscle control, and coordination due to brain damage. Symptoms vary, but they often include difficulties with posture, balance, and fine motor skills.
Many cases of cerebral palsy are not diagnosed until toddlerhood, as early symptoms can be tough to spot. As children grow, delays in walking, speech difficulties, and involuntary movements may become more noticeable.
Signs of cerebral palsy in babies often involve unusual muscle tone — either too stiff or too floppy — or struggles with movements like rolling over, sitting up, or grasping objects.
Parents and caregivers are often the first to notice early signs of cerebral palsy in newborn babies. If you suspect your child has CP, trust your instincts. Sometimes, doctors dismiss concerns during birth, but ongoing developmental delays could signal a birth injury.
Your family may be eligible for financial compensation if a preventable birth injury led to your child’s condition. A cerebral palsy lawsuit could help cover medical costs, therapy, and long-term care.
Cerebral Palsy Guide works with a network of top birth injury lawyers across the country. Our legal partners have recovered over $1 billion for families affected by preventable birth injuries. We may be able to help your family, too.
Early signs of cerebral palsy
The early signs of cerebral palsy can be hard to detect, especially since every baby develops at their own pace. However, if your child experienced a birth complication like hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), it’s especially important to look for signs.
HIE is a serious type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen during birth. It’s also one of the leading causes of cerebral palsy.
Early symptoms often show up in the way a baby moves, reacts, or reaches developmental milestones. Some babies may seem unusually stiff or floppy, while others may struggle to control their limbs or hold their head up.
These subtle signs can be easy to overlook, but catching them early can lead to quicker intervention, helpful therapies, and a clearer path forward for your child.
“Our child had to be resuscitated after experiencing a loss of oxygen during delivery. We noticed early on that he couldn’t perform basic functions like moving, speaking, or even sitting up on his own. We’ve since learned that he has cerebral palsy due to brain damage from a hypoxic injury.”
– Parent in Texas
Cerebral palsy symptoms by age
Cerebral palsy symptoms can look different as a child grows. Some issues become clearer with age, especially as children miss developmental milestones.
Because cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage, symptoms may change with brain development. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy at different stages.
Cerebral palsy symptoms in babies
In babies, cerebral palsy symptoms may not be obvious, but certain behaviors or physical signs may appear within the first year.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy in babies include:
- Delayed milestones like sitting, rolling, or crawling
- Difficulty holding their head up or turning it
- Excessive drooling or trouble feeding
- Legs crossing (scissoring) or becoming stiff when lifted
- Overly tight or stiff muscles
- Trouble grasping toys or reaching out
- Unusual posture, such as arching the back
Doctors typically diagnose cerebral palsy by closely observing your baby’s development, performing physical exams, and ordering tests like brain scans. If your baby shows one or more of these signs, it’s important to talk to your pediatrician right away.
Even if your child doesn’t have an official diagnosis yet, we may still be able to help. Contact us now to learn more about your options.
Cerebral palsy symptoms in toddlers
Symptoms of cerebral palsy often become more noticeable during toddlerhood as children begin walking, talking, and interacting more.
Parents might notice these cerebral palsy symptoms in their toddler:
- Balance problems, like frequent falls or being unsteady
- Crawling unevenly or scooting instead of walking
- Crossing of legs when walking or scissoring gait
- Mobility limitations, like dragging one leg or tiptoeing
- Muscle movements that seem stiff (spasticity) or jerky
- Problems holding small items like crayons, forks, or toothbrushes
- Sensory issues, including hearing or vision problems
- Speech delays or difficulty speaking clearly
Additionally, joint and bone deformities, such as contractures and hip dislocations, are common in children with cerebral palsy due to muscle imbalances.
If your child shows any of these signs, talk to a doctor. Getting proper cerebral palsy treatment early on can make things easier for your child as they grow.
Cerebral palsy symptoms by type
When the motor control centers of the developing brain are damaged, it can result in several types of movement issues. These limitations and their corresponding symptoms vary based on the severity and location of the brain injury, as well as the child’s specific type of cerebral palsy.
Learn more about the symptoms present in different types of cerebral palsy below.
Spastic cerebral palsy symptoms
Symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy include jerky movements and tight muscles caused by damage to the motor cortex and/or pyramidal tracts. Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form of CP, making up about 80% of diagnoses.
Common symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy include:
- Abnormal walking
- Awkward reflexes
- Muscle stiffness of one side of the body
- Permanently tightened muscles or joints
This type of cerebral palsy often causes movement disorders, including quadriplegia (all 4 limbs), diplegia (2 limbs), and spastic hemiplegia.
Ataxic cerebral palsy symptoms
Symptoms of ataxic cerebral palsy include poor balance and coordination caused by damage to the brain’s cerebellum.
Common symptoms of ataxic cerebral palsy include:
- Coordination issues
- Depth perception problems
- Difficulty with speech
- Shakiness and tremors
- Spreading feet apart when walking
Ataxic CP is associated with unsteady movements, tremors, and a wide-based gait.
Athetoid or dyskinetic cerebral palsy symptoms
Dyskinetic or athetoid cerebral palsy causes involuntary, uncontrolled movements due to damage in the basal ganglia or cerebellum, areas of the brain responsible for coordination and muscle control.
Common symptoms of athetoid cerebral palsy include:
- Feeding issues
- Floppy limbs
- Problems with posture
- Stiff or rigid body
Uncontrollable movements can shift daily, ranging from weak and floppy to overly tense, depending on muscle tone.
The movements can be primarily slow and writhing or rapid and jerky, making it challenging to perform everyday activities without assistance.
Hypotonic cerebral palsy symptoms
Hypotonic cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls muscle tone, balance, and coordination.
Children with this type of cerebral palsy have lower-than-normal muscle tone, making their bodies feel floppy or limp.
Common symptoms of hypotonic cerebral palsy include:
- Extremely flexible joints and ligaments
- Floppy or loose muscles
- Lack of head control
- Poor balance and stability
Because hypotonia affects strength and stability, children may take longer to reach milestones like crawling, walking, or standing without support.
Mixed cerebral palsy symptoms
This type of CP occurs when damage affects multiple areas of the brain involved in motor control. Mixed cerebral palsy combines symptoms from two or more forms of CP, resulting in a wide range of physical challenges.
The most common forms of mixed cerebral palsy are spastic-dyskinetic (athetoid) and spastic-ataxic. Because mixed cerebral palsy involves multiple symptom types, treatment typically requires a customized approach to address each child’s unique needs.
Get legal help for cerebral palsy
Children with cerebral palsy can experience a range of physical and neurological symptoms, depending on the type and location of their brain injury.
Monitoring your child’s development is important. If they are missing key milestones, talk to a doctor. With proper care, many children with cerebral palsy can manage their symptoms and lead healthy, independent lives.
An experienced cerebral palsy lawyer can investigate whether your child’s condition was preventable and help you navigate the legal process.
Our legal partners have secured over $1 billion for families like yours. See if we can help you seek justice for your child. We may be able to help your family, too.
Call us right now at (866) 299-4485 or get a free case review to find out if you could be eligible for financial compensation.
Cerebral palsy symptoms FAQs
What are the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy?
Some of the first signs of cerebral palsy in infants include stiffened muscles or joints, excessive drooling, high-pitched crying, feeding issues, and an overextended neck or back.
Missing key developmental milestones — like sitting, crawling, rolling over, or walking — can also be a red flag. Other symptoms may include trouble grasping objects, clapping hands, or lifting their head.
If you’re worried about your child’s development, our experienced labor and delivery nurses can answer your questions and help you understand what to do next. Call (866) 299-4485 now.
When do the signs of cerebral palsy appear?
Cerebral palsy signs and symptoms can take months or even years to become noticeable. While some babies show signs early, others may not be diagnosed until toddlerhood or later, especially in milder cases.
If your child is missing milestones or showing signs of cerebral palsy, a doctor or specialist can evaluate their development and provide a diagnosis. Early treatment can make a difference in getting your child the care they need.
At what age is cerebral palsy diagnosed?
Cerebral palsy is typically diagnosed between 1 and 3 years old when developmental delays become more noticeable. However, severe cases may be identified earlier, while milder forms might not be diagnosed until a child starts walking or speaking.