Receiving a cerebral palsy diagnosis can bring answers, but it can also create many new questions.
There is no need to understand everything immediately. The most useful first step is to learn about your child's individual needs and the professionals and services available to support them.
Understand Your Child's Diagnosis
Ask your healthcare team to explain what they know about your child's cerebral palsy.
Useful questions can include:
- What type of cerebral palsy does my child have?
- Which areas of their body are affected?
- What support is recommended now?
- Which professionals will be involved?
- When will their needs be reviewed?
It may not be possible to predict exactly how cerebral palsy will affect your child in the future.
Get to Know the Care Team
Children with cerebral palsy may receive support from several professionals.
Depending on need, this could include paediatricians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists.
Keep appointment letters, reports and important contact details together so information is easier to find.
Ask About Early Support
Therapy should be based on your child's needs rather than simply their diagnosis.
Ask what you can safely do at home and whether equipment or adaptations would help.
Explore Financial and Practical Help
Families may be eligible for benefits or local authority support.
In England and Wales, for example, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children can help with additional costs where eligibility criteria are met. Eligibility is based on the child's care or mobility needs rather than the diagnostic label alone.
Our Benefits and Financial Support for Cerebral Palsy page explains the main options.
Look After Family Life Too
Appointments and therapies are important, but your child is a child first.
Play, relationships, interests, family time and opportunities to make choices all matter.
Over time, you will learn which information and support are most useful to your family.
Sources and further information
Useful websites
- NHS: Cerebral palsy
Overview of cerebral palsy, symptoms, causes, treatment and support.