Hello everyone,

I am the new father of twins born June 26th. They were born at 29 weeks and a routine ultrasound showed one of my sons has some cysts is his brain, the doctor said that he has never seen a patient with similiar ultrasound not have at least some signs of C.P. At the moment, he has some definite limits to his range of motion, he cant put his hands to his mouth without help, its as if a beach ball is attached to his chest. He also arches his back when upset and some other minor things.

I feel like I should be pushing the doctors for a C.P. diagnosis. It would open up numerous finacial aid options and provide a peace of mind. My wife and I hate that we spend all this time on P.T, various alternative tharapies, and numerous doctors visits; all the while maintaining this facade that perhaps everything is gonna be fine. The reality is that our son has C.P. and we wanna deal with it as a reality.

So, what have your experiences been with getting the disgnosis? Was it easy? Were the doctors reluctant and if so, why? How early did you recieve your diagnosis. What is your advice for us to make this happen smoothly?

Matt

Typically, doctors diagnose cerebral palsy (CP) in infants by testing their motor skills and thoroughly analyzing their medical history. A medical history, diagnostic tests, and regular check-ups may be required to confirm the diagnosis of CP or to eliminate the possibility of other disorders.
A newborn held on its back and tilted so its legs are above its head will automatically respond with the Moro reflex, extending its arms in a gesture that resembles an embrace. This reflex usually disappears after about 6 months. Infants with cerebral palsy often retain it for an abnormally long period.