Early Diagnosis Clinic – Cerebral Palsy

Early Diagnosis of cerebral palsy

CPA Early Diagnosis Clinic is a diagnostic clinic for babies at high risk of cerebral palsy. Fully funded by CPA donors, fundraising and Medicare, the clinic aims to fast track diagnosis and enable quicker access to early interventions, family support and better outcomes for the future.
Neuroscience research demonstrates early intervention including intensive, repetitive, task-specific exercise should commence for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy within the first 12 months of life to optimise neuroplasticity. This makes early diagnosis essential. Infants at risk of cerebral palsy also need targeted intervention and monitoring to prevent secondary problems from occurring.

Infants 12 months or younger are eligible if they have clinical history indicating risk for cerebral palsy.

Risk factors include (but not limited to) prematurity, birth defects, genetic conditions, intrauterine growth restriction, hypoxia-ischaemia, seizures, neonatal stroke, infection

  • Abnormal neuroimaging-MRI or Cranial Ultrasound (CUS) indicative of possible motor impairment
  • Motor dysfunction


This might include abnormal General Movements, very low scores on standardised assessment (e.g. below 10th percentile on AIMS), poor head control after 3 months, hand asymmetry after 4 months, not able to take weight through feet after 5 months, not sitting at 9 months.

Priority will be given to infants who have not previously seen a neurologist.

The clinic comprises an expert multi-disciplinary team, including:

  • a paediatric neurologist
  • social worker
  • occupational therapist
  • physiotherapist, and
  • speech pathologist.


The team use evidence based assessments grounded in the latest international best practice guidelines. A comprehensive assessment is conducted which includes:

  • physical (including vision and pain)
  • neurological
  • motor function
  • feeding
  • communication
  • parent well-being

Our team are on hand to provide you with information, emotional support and support to access early intervention and additional resources. Each family will leave the clinic with a clear plan for follow up appointments at the clinic and referrals for further investigations and therapy as required.

These resources are designed to help you understand early diagnosis of cerebral palsy and how intervention can help. The links below include some quick facts about cerebral palsy, and information on a new assessment that allows medical professionals to identify babies at risk of cerebral palsy from birth.

0-2 Cerebral Palsy guide

This guide identifies the best cerebral palsy-specific early intervention supports, and how much is needed for each area of development.

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Early assessment and diagnosis of cerebral palsy

A guide for parents and caregivers.

Download guide

 

Contact our Early Diagnosis Clinics

Croudace Bay Stuart Centre

Opening hours

Thurs 8.30 am – 4.30 pm (by appointment)

Address

61 Parklea Ave
Croudace Bay NSW 2280

Phone

02 4979 4333

hunteredc@cerebralpalsy.org.au

 

Prairiewood Marconi Centre

Opening hours

Thurs 8.30 am – 5.00 pm (by appointment)

Address

224-244 Restwell Road
Prairiewood NSW 2176

Phone

0418 175 970

earlydiagnosisclinic@cerebralpalsy.org.au

 

Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick

Opening hours

Mondays 8:30am – 12:30pm (by appointment)

Address

Sydney Children’s Hospital, High St
Randwick NSW 2031

Phone

0418 175 970

earlydiagnosisclinic@cerebralpalsy.org.au

Refer to Early Diagnosis Clinic

We will respond as soon as possible, between Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

The Early Diagnostics Clinic is a Cerebral Palsy Alliance initiative made possible by the support of NSW Health, Clayton Utz, The Farrell Family Foundation, Luke Hepworth, EA & HN Hulak Foundation, ATS Charitable Foundation, Australian Turf Club Foundation, Coca-Cola Australia Foundation, South Sydney Juniors and Dean Henry.

Are you a referrer?

Early Diagnosis of cerebral palsy. A range of resources have been developed to bridge the gap between research and practice and help practitioners understand how to implement the CPG on a practical level.

Find out more
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