Early diagnosis begins with a medical history and involves using neuroimaging, standardized neurological, and standardized motor assessments that indicate congruent abnormal findings indicative of cerebral palsy. Clinicians should understand the importance of prompt referral to diagnostic-specific early intervention to optimize infant motor and cognitive plasticity, prevent secondary complications, and enhance caregiver well-being.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) are hosting a national cerebral palsy research workshop that will help develop the next US strategic plan for cerebral palsy research, to be held virtually on August 17 and 18.