When parents receive the devastating news that their child has cerebral palsy, it’s normal for them to have a number of questions. Questions like the following:

• What will my child be like?
• Will my child be able to walk?
• Will my child get worse?
• Will my child be mentally affected by cerebral palsy?
• Will my child be able to go to a regular school?
• How bad will the cerebal palsy be?
• What effects will my child’s cerebral palsy have on her life?

If you are like most parents of children with cerebral palsy, you want to know exactly what to expect, so you can provide for your child in the best way possible. While it’s normal to want a definitive prognosis, it’s important to understand that doctors can rarely provide one. It is nearly impossible to determine the extent of CP before a child reaches the age of two, and even after that doctors will be cautious in their long-term predictions.

It’s important to understand that regression is not typical in cerebral palsy. In other words, if a child with cerebral palsy has a skill, such as sitting up or walking, you can assume that skill won’t be lost. Motor function can be predicted to some degree as the child becomes older. A child who isn’t sitting up by the age of four or walking by the age of eight probably won’t be able to walk independently.

Mental ability and speaking ability can also be difficult to predict as well, but more accurate predictions can be made after age two and beyond. While physical disabilities can significantly impact a child’s life, mental disabilities generally do so to a greater degree.

During the time following your child’s diagnosis it’s important to remember to stay positive, and to maintain hope. Many cases of cerebral palsy are quite mild and have a relatively small impact on the life of the child, while even severe cases can be managed with the right therapies and benefits.