Cerebral Palsy News: Developmental Milestones Ages 3-4

By Teresa Kelly

In the United States, an estimated 13% of children have a developmental disability, such as cerebral palsy, autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, intellectual disability (also known as mental retardation) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet less than half are identified by the time they reach school age.

Most children with cerebral palsy are diagnosed by the age of 18 months when they are not walking as they should. Other children may not be diagnosed until much later because they have mild symptoms that may not be noticeable until the children are much older and still having trouble mastering some movements. Children who suffer head injuries that result in brain damage or accidents where they stop breathing (such as choking or near drowning), may also develop cerebral palsy at a later age.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy typically relate to movement, including speech. But speech is difficult to accurately assess before the age of three or four. A child can have cerebral palsy and not have any cognitive (thinking) problems. Or cognitive problems may only become evident as the child gets older. A number of other neurologic and metabolic disorders, such as mucolipidoses, can also mimic cerebral palsy.

Many children between the ages of three and four are diagnosed for developmental delays by pre-school staff or day care workers. These early childhood professionals are in a good position to notice that a child may not be learning tasks or engaging socially on a level with their peers. These professionals can be an invaluable source of help in connecting parents with early childhood intervention specialists.

See the full Article HERE on CP Family Network