Preparing for an appointment

If your child has cerebral palsy, how you learn about your child's condition can depend on the severity of the disabilities, when signs and symptoms started, and whether there were risk factors during pregnancy or delivery.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your child's appointment with his or her doctor.

What you can do

Before your appointment make a list of:

• Symptoms that concern you and when they began
• All medications, vitamins and other supplements your child takes, including doses
• Your child's medical history, including other conditions with which he or she has been diagnosed
• Information about your pregnancy and delivery, including any problems
• Questions to ask your doctor

Take a relative or friend with you, if possible, to help you remember the information you receive.

Questions to ask your doctor can include:

• What tests will my child need?
• When will we know the results of the tests?
• What specialists will we need to see?
• How will you monitor my child's health and development?
• Can you suggest educational materials and local support services regarding cerebral palsy?
• Can my child be followed through a multidisciplinary program that addresses all of his or her needs on the same visit, such as a cerebral palsy clinic?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, including:

• What concerns do you have about your child's growth or development?
• How well does your child eat?
• How does your child respond to touch?
• Do you observe favoring of one side of the body?
• Is your child reaching certain milestones in development, such as rolling over, pushing up, sitting up, crawling, walking or speaking?
• Did you have any problems during your pregnancy or delivery?