Question
My sister-in-law’s child is already 3 years old but still can’t speak. He seems to have little growth and walks quite awkwardly, not very steady. The family thinks he might have a bit of cerebral palsy.
Answer
Early symptoms of pediatric cerebral palsy include:
- Growth and Development Disorders: Some mild cerebral palsy children can be basically or nearly normal, but most cerebral palsy children are shorter than their same age normal children, and their growth and development are slower than that of normal children. (It is necessary to review the child’s specific conditions, such as height and weight.)
- Language Impairments: Most cerebral palsy patients may have varying degrees of language impairments, such as difficulties in language expression or difficulty in constructing sentences, poor pronunciation or stammering, or being able to understand others’ language but not being able to speak. Particularly, the proportion of Xu-type cerebral palsy is very high. (Further assessment of the child’s language ability and communication methods is needed.) Please take the child to see a neurologist as soon as possible. They will confirm whether there is cerebral palsy through detailed evaluations and examinations and develop appropriate treatment plans. Early intervention and treatment are crucial for improving the child’s quality of life and development.