Metabolic Disorders for CP

On rare occasions, metabolic disorders can be mistaken as cerebral palsy and some children will require
additional tests to rule them out.
Specialized Knowledge and Training
To confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, a doctor may send a child to other doctors who have specialized
knowledge and training or to specialty clinics where these doctors work with a team of health professionals
who specialize in working with children with cerebral palsy and other developmental delays. These doctors might be child neurologists, developmental pediatricians, ophthalmologists (eye doctors), or otologists (ear
doctors). Additional observations by these specialists can help the doctors make a more accurate diagnosis
and begin to develop a specific plan for treatment.
What Is The Classification System, And How Is It Used For Cerebral Palsy?
Once the diagnosis has been made on the basis of medical history and a physical examination, the person
will be classified for ease of communication amoung health professionals as well as affording a prognosis
and treatment.
The classification system is a clinical one based on the physiology of the motor dysfunction, the number of
limbs involved and the functional status of the child. The system establishes an orderly approach to
describing a patient's disability but does not afford insight into the etiology or pathology.