Zaahida Shaboodien, a physiotherapist at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, explains how cerebral palsy can affect a child’s movement and development, and why recognising possible signs early is so important.
Cerebral palsy is a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement, posture, balance and coordination. It occurs when the developing brain is damaged or does not develop as expected, affecting the messages sent between the brain and the muscles.
Every child with cerebral palsy is different. Some children may experience mild difficulties with movement, while others may need more support with sitting, standing, walking or everyday activities. A child’s muscles may feel unusually stiff or floppy, and their movements may appear uncontrolled or poorly coordinated.
Although the injury or difference in the brain does not worsen over time, the way cerebral palsy affects a child can change as they grow.
How can cerebral palsy affect a child’s development?
Children develop at their own pace, but developmental milestones provide a useful guide to the skills most children learn as they grow. These include controlling the head, rolling, sitting, crawling, standing and walking.
For some children with cerebral palsy, these movement milestones may be delayed. Parents or caregivers may also notice that a child moves one side of their body differently from the other or appears to favour one hand or leg.
Cerebral palsy primarily affects movement and posture, but some children may experience additional challenges involving speech, feeding, swallowing, vision, hearing or learning. The type and level of support required will depend on each child’s individual needs.
Early signs to look out for
Possible early signs may include:
- Delays in reaching movement milestones, such as rolling, sitting, crawling or walking
- Difficulty controlling the head
- Muscles that feel unusually stiff or unusually floppy
- Arms or legs that appear weak
- Using one side of the body more than the other
- Reaching with one hand while keeping the other hand tightly closed
- Legs that become stiff, cross or “scissor” when the child is picked up
- Unusual, jerky or uncontrolled movements
- Crawling in an uneven or lopsided way
- Difficulty with balance or coordination
These signs do not necessarily mean that a child has cerebral palsy. There can be many reasons for differences or delays in development, and a healthcare professional will need to assess the child.
Early support can make a meaningful difference
Parents and caregivers know their children best. If something about your child’s movement or development concerns you, speak to a healthcare professional rather than waiting to see whether the concern disappears.
Early assessment can help identify the support a child needs. Physiotherapy may form part of a broader care plan and can help children develop their movement skills, maintain flexibility and participate more fully in everyday life. Depending on the child’s needs, care may also involve doctors, occupational therapists, speech therapists and other healthcare professionals.
Recognising concerns early is not about placing limits on a child. It is about opening the door to timely care, practical support and opportunities that can help every child reach their potential.
