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Possible cerebral palsy - 7 year old

1 reply

Sunflower1650 · 05/05/2026 22:08

DS is 7. He has a diagnosis of autism and dyspraxia. He had very delayed motor skills as a baby, he couldn’t even sit up until he was 11 months old. He has always struggled with his balance, co ordination executive function and his motor skills are still very behind for his age. This was always put down to his dyspraxia, however as he’s getting older something doesn’t feel quite right with him. He has low muscle tone, weak limbs, very little core strength and walks in quite a clumsy way. His posture is also bad and he has a slightly curved spine (kyphosis). We were on the waitlist for a further occupational therapy assessment which we have finally had today. He is now being referred back to the paediatrician and the OT has requested an urgent physiotherapy assessment (we’ve currently been on the NHS waitlist for nearly two years) and an MRI scan. She told me she has concerns he may have some brain damage in his frontal motor cortex (I think). I asked if that means potential cerebral palsy and she said yes. I’ve been so upset this afternoon and I’ve gone down a rabbit hole googling. Has anyone had a child diagnosed at a later age like this? What can we expect going forward? My other 3 year old son is having heart surgery in a few weeks and I feel like I can’t take any more, without trying to sound selfish and overdramatic!

OP posts:
Wonkywalker · 05/05/2026 22:42

I did not want you to have no replies so although I haven't had a child with late diagnosis CP , I was a child with a late diagnosis of CP after having been unable to crawl and being a very late and wobbly walker.

Whether it is CP or spasticity/low muscle tone due to his back curve you really need to get a referral to a specialist neuro unit if there is one in your region. They should have specialist neuro physios and be able to advise on orthotics - some even have hydrotherapy pools.

It sounds as if you have a lot to cope with because of your other son's surgery. I hope it goes well and don't worry about putting this on the back burner for now whilst you get through the op.

Once you are through the worst of that it may be worth looking at whether you can claim DLA for your son as that may help fund private physio sessions while you wait for the NHS to catch up with treatment.

There is a lot of info for parents on the Scope website and also local support groups.

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