Cerebral palsy developmental delays
Developmental delays are often one of the earliest signs of cerebral palsy (CP). If your baby is missing milestones like sitting or crawling, it’s important to understand why. In some cases, CP is linked to complications during childbirth, including preventable medical errors.
Learn how developmental delays may point to CP and what steps you can take to support your child.
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What is a cerebral palsy developmental delay?
A cerebral palsy developmental delay happens when a child takes longer than expected to reach milestones like rolling over, grasping objects, or babbling.
While every child grows at their own pace, consistent delays in movement or speech could be an early sign of cerebral palsy. This is because CP impacts the brain’s ability to control muscle movements and coordination.
Key milestones affected by cerebral palsy include:
- Cognitive and social growth
- Motor skills
- Speech and language
Identifying cerebral palsy developmental delays early can help ensure your child gets the care they need. If you believe your baby was harmed by a preventable injury during birth, you may be able to take legal action and seek compensation for your child’s care.
Cerebral Palsy Guide works with a network of top CP lawyers across the country. Our legal partners have recovered over $1 billion for families affected by preventable birth injuries like CP. See if we may be able to help you pursue compensation.
Developmental delay in children with CP
Every child develops at their own pace, but regularly missing key milestones may signal an underlying neurological or movement disorder like cerebral palsy.
Some children may face delays in physical abilities, while others may take longer to develop socially or emotionally. Find out about delays and missed milestones that may be present at different ages.
“My daughter got stuck during delivery, leading to serious health issues. She now has a G-tube and suffers from seizures. She is only just starting to cry at 4 months and shows signs of developmental delays. Getting legal help eased my worries about caring for her in the future.”
– Parent in West Virginia
Cerebral palsy developmental delay in newborns (0-3 months)
In the first few months of life, early signs of cerebral palsy in newborn babies may show up in their ability to develop muscle control and motor skills.
Common signs of cerebral palsy in 3-month-olds and younger include:
- Delays in developing neck strength
- Favoring one side of the body when reaching or turning
- Lack of reflexes, like the startle reflex
- May appear unusually floppy or stiff
If your baby shows signs of a cerebral palsy developmental delay, talk to their pediatrician. Early diagnosis and intervention can improve long-term outcomes and support healthy development.
Early signs of cerebral palsy in babies (3-9 months)
Cerebral palsy developmental delays may become clearer between 3 and 9 months as babies begin — or fail — to meet expected developmental milestones.
By 6 months old, babies typically develop head control, reach for objects, and interact with their surroundings. A cerebral palsy 6-month-old may struggle with these milestones.
Signs of cerebral palsy in babies include:
- Delayed or absent responses to sounds or visual cues
- Difficulty holding their head up
- Limited or uneven movement on one side of the body
- Stiff muscles (spasticity) or floppy limbs
- Trouble rolling over or sitting up without support
- Using only one hand while keeping the other in a fist
If your baby is showing signs like these, consult a cerebral palsy specialist to better understand any possible developmental disabilities.
Delays to watch for in toddlers (1-3 years)
Cerebral palsy developmental delays may become more noticeable in early childhood as kids begin to explore their surroundings and develop motor skills.
If your child is not meeting milestones, it could mean they have an underlying condition, like a type of cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy developmental delays in toddlers may include:
- Difficulty standing or pulling up to stand without support
- Dragging one side of the body while crawling or not crawling at all
- Falling frequently and other problems with balance
- Having difficulty forming simple words like “mama” or “dada”
- Keeping a hand fisted or not reaching for objects
- Walking difficulties, like walking on toes or not walking on their own
If you are concerned that your child is missing milestones, our team of registered nurses at Cerebral Palsy Guide is here to help.
“My niece, Cameron, has cerebral palsy. Her childhood was difficult, with many obstacles her mother didn’t expect and wasn’t sure how to navigate. She makes me want to help others affected by CP have the opportunities she’s had.”
– Kristin Proctor, Cerebral Palsy Guide Registered Nurse
Our labor and delivery nurses have decades of experience helping families affected by birth injuries like CP. Find out if they may be able to connect you with the resources and support you deserve.
Get help seeking compensation for cerebral palsy
If your child’s cerebral palsy developmental delay was caused by a medical error, compensation from a lawsuit can help with the cost of treatment, therapy, and specialized care.
An experienced cerebral palsy lawyer can help determine whether your child’s cerebral palsy was preventable and guide you through the legal process.
Our legal partners have secured over $1 billion for families just like yours, and we may be able to help you 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 developmental delay FAQs
Does cerebral palsy cause developmental delay?
Yes, cerebral palsy often causes developmental delays because it affects the brain’s ability to control motor skills, coordination, and muscle tone.
Children with cerebral palsy may take longer to reach milestones like sitting, walking, or speaking. Early diagnosis and therapy can help address these delays and support developmental progress.
When do babies with cerebral palsy start showing signs of delay?
Babies with cerebral palsy often begin showing signs of delay as early as 2 to 3 months.
Early signs of cerebral palsy in babies include:
- Delays in motor milestones like rolling over
- Difficulty holding up their head
- Stiff or floppy limbs
Talk with your doctor if you are concerned your child is showing signs of cerebral palsy developmental delays.
Can a child recover from developmental delays?
While a child cannot “recover” from cerebral palsy-related developmental delays, therapies like physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help improve their abilities and support their overall development.
Early intervention is key. However, treatment can be expensive and mean missing work for parents and caregivers.
You may be eligible to receive financial support if medical errors contributed to your child’s condition, and we may be able to help. Get a free case review right now.