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.

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Refer to Early Diagnosis clinic

Who is eligible for the clinic

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.

What can a family expect when referred?

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

What happens if there is a diagnosis of cerebral palsy?

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.

Downloadable resources

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.