[myForeverkids3]

Our DD was born at 26 wks, placental abruption, no prenatal care, positive for methadone and heroin, and had a grade 1 hemorage. She is now 19mos and is doing great but still not walking and speech is delayed by a few months. Long story short, her OT, PT and speech Therapist have all mentioned Cerebral Palsy. It would have to be very mild because you would never think that unless you were a trained physical therapist! To everyone else, she looks 100% normal.

My ? is this:
If my daughter does have mild CP, is it even important to get the official diagnosis? The treatment plan would be exactly what we are already doing (early intervention w/PT OT and ST each 1 hour a week). She is already on the waiting list for the EI preschool when she turns 3. Are there any services she'd be eligable for because of a specific diagnosis? Is it the neurologist that does the testing? I just don't want to put her through more drs and tests if there is no reason for it.

[Withay]

Here having the diagnosis would entitle her to a higher adoption subsidy, which would result in being able to get more treatments and services for her (ie: therapeutic horseback riding, swimming lessons, etc). It may also enable her to have a one-on-one assistant in school if she needed it (done through an iep)

[myForeverkids3]

She was adopted through a private agency so there is no subsidy. She is on our insurance as well so every drs apt and test they run costs us more money. That is why I really need to know if this is important. Otherwise it's just a waste of time and money. AND more importantly, my DD has already been through sooo much medical stuff and poked and proded. I hate the thought of putting her through MORE testing if it is unnecessary.

[myForeverkids3]

horseback riding and swimming are great ideas though!! I'll keep that in mind. She should be able to start swim lessons next year. Gosh they grow up fast!!

[SuzBerg]

It was mentioned by our orthopedic surgeon that our daughter might have "mild cp". She ordered an MRI. Problem......my daughter has a pacemaker and you can not have an MRI if you have a pacemaker. So we have never been able to rule out CP but never able to diagnose it either. In my daughter's case (like yours) it would be VERY mild and so far it doesn't seem to be limiting her in any way. I think it would be nice to know for sure but we never will. So......I guess what I'm saying (and this is just MY opinion) you would not have to have testing/diagnosis if you didn't want to, if you do not think it will benefit her and it won't change her treatment in any way. I would also check with your pediatrician or primary doctor and get their opinion. Best Wishes - Suz

[Nevada Jen]

You might want the diagnosis when she turns 3 so she can be marked as "other health impaired" on her IEP which would might increase the chances of them aimng towards inclusion instead of a self contained class room once she hits 1st grade. I guess it depends how your school system is. I can't see any reason to have it done now. I know how you feel about poking and prodding that doesn't do anything except give answers that don't change anything. Every time my daughter has a seizure they threaten us in the emergency room that she might have meningitis if we won't let them do a spinal tap.
I guess my only hesitation in your position is that CP is kind of a catch all condition that is a favorite of therapists. If you have never had a head CT or MRI, it might be worth it just to make sure there is not something fixable going on.

[myForeverkids3]

We are really hopeful that J won't need spec. ed services when she starts school. She has very good cognition so far. She has had a CT twice because of her prematurity and all they said was that it appeared she had a grade one hemorage at birth that had resolved itself. I guess the apt with the neurologist will answer a lot of these ?s. Thanks for the advice!

[052001]

My daughter (3 1/2) has mild CP. She cannot walk but otherwise appears normal. We have not done a CT scan or anything, but she has a diagnosis through her doctor.

I don't have advice about getting a diagnosis, but I wanted to ask if you have you tried getting early intervention services through your state? We receive services that entitle her to PT, therapeutic horse riding, etc. The services access our private health insurance first, but if it runs out or insurance won't cover it, the state services will help.

[myForeverkids3]

Originally Posted by 052001

My daughter (3 1/2) has mild CP. She cannot walk but otherwise appears normal. We have not done a CT scan or anything, but she has a diagnosis through her doctor.

I don't have advice about getting a diagnosis, but I wanted to ask if you have you tried getting early intervention services through your state? We receive services that entitle her to PT, therapeutic horse riding, etc. The services access our private health insurance first, but if it runs out or insurance won't cover it, the state services will help.

Yes, she has OT one hr/wk and PT one hr/wk. She is approved for speech too but

[myForeverkids3]

sorry, had to go and come back. What type of Dr diagnosed your daughters CP? Was it a neurologist? Can they diagnose with out testing?

[athikers]

If it were my son, I would want the dx... because they you can access services through UCP if needed and whatnot. I'm all for gettting another dx if it means more services are available for my kids.

[052001]

My daughter's regular pediatrician diagnosed it. We have not seen a neurologist. Her physical therapist said that a CT scan would show which part of the brain was damaged. I didn't see the sense in putting her through that. I don't know if I should do the CT scan eventually or not.