Children with CP have various physical impairments including weak muscle tone, abnormal postural control, balance difficulties, gross motor limitations, and spastic paresis (Ittner, 2014). CP has no cure but with treatments it can improve a child’s capabilities, the earlier the treatment is started the better chance a child is going to have of overcoming developmental disabilities (NINDS, 2014). CP doesn’t always cause profound disabilities while one child with more severe CP may not be able to walk and need lifelong care, another might not require special assistance (NINDS, 2014). There are many different types of CP but the most common is Spastic paresis which greatly contributes to functional impairment (Ittner, 2014).
CP can go unnoticeable until the child comes to the milestone when he or she is suppose to be able to sit up alone with no support or when they are suppose do certain things a normal infant can do but is unable too. The doctor can order lab testing such as CBC which will show leukocytosis in patients with infection or GI obstruction, serial serum glucose monitoring for hypoglycemia for patients with feeding difficulties, serum bilirubin in newborns to monitor for elevated levels and jaundice, also a genetic study may be performed (Ittner, 2014). Other studies such as MRIs and CTs of the brain will help identify the site of damage, EEG monitoring will identify seizure activity and patterns, visual