Understanding cerebral palsy and autism
Cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder are distinct yet often co-occurring conditions.
CP is primarily a group of disorders caused by brain injury before, during, or shortly after birth, affecting movement, balance, and posture.
Autism is a neurological and developmental disorder that impacts communication, social interactions, and behaviors.
Children with CP have an increased risk of also being diagnosed with autism. Cerebral palsy coexisting conditions require a personalized approach to treatment, addressing both motor skills and behavioral challenges.
Around 6% of children with cerebral palsy also have autism, compared to about 1% of children without CP, according to BMJ Paediatrics Open.
Caring for a child with coexisting cerebral palsy and autism can feel overwhelming, especially with ongoing therapies, medical care, and special equipment often needed.
If medical negligence during childbirth contributed to your child’s cerebral palsy, financial support may be available to help cover the costs of quality care.
Cerebral Palsy Guide has partnered with a network of skilled CP lawyers who may be able to help your family.
Find out if we can connect you with a top cerebral palsy lawyer near you — get a free case review right now.
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior.
It has "spectrum" in the name because it encompasses a range of symptoms and severity, varying greatly from person to person.
Some individuals with autism may have intellectual disabilities, while others have average or above-average intelligence.
1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Symptoms can appear as early as 6-18 months of age and typically include difficulty with social interactions, repetitive behaviors, challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication, and limited interests.
While autism does not have a cure, tailored support and interventions can help people lead fulfilling lives. Understanding and recognizing autism early are key to accessing appropriate resources and support.
Risk factors and causes of autism
ASD is caused by a mix of genetic, environmental, and maternal factors. While research continues to identify the complex causes of autism, these main categories can play a role.
Genetics
Many cases of autism are associated with genetic factors. In some instances, gene mutations or variations are inherited from parents, while in others, they may occur spontaneously.
Known genetic conditions like fragile X syndrome and Rett syndrome have been linked to autism.
Environmental factors
Various environmental influences may increase the risk of a child developing ASD. These factors may interact with genetics to contribute to the development of autism.
- Advanced parental age (mothers 35+ and fathers 40+)
- Exposure to toxic chemicals, like pesticides or heavy metals
- Low birth weight (weighing less than 5.5 pounds at birth)
- Pregnancy complications, like lack of oxygen
- Premature birth before 26 weeks
These environmental factors can increase the chances of developing autism but don’t directly cause it on their own. Knowing about these risks can help with early intervention and care.
Maternal conditions
Health and lifestyle factors during pregnancy can also increase the risk of autism.
- Certain medications taken while pregnant
- Diabetes, obesity, or high blood pressure
- Maternal infections during pregnancy
Each of these factors may contribute to the development of autism, but it's important to note that no single factor directly causes ASD.
Can a child have both CP and autism?
Yes, children with cerebral palsy can also have autism. According to a large-scale study, approximately 6% of children with CP also have autism, which is higher than the rate of autism in the general population.
The connection between autism and cerebral palsy is not direct. However, because of the similarities within developmental disorders, it is common for autism and cerebral palsy to co-occur.
Cerebral palsy is the result of brain damage that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth. Autism is also a brain development disorder, but it tends to be more evident after age two or three when a child’s language and communication skills begin to show an obvious delay.
Due to both cerebral palsy and autism involving some kind of umbrella diagnosis of brain damage, children with CP can also display symptoms of autism.
How cerebral palsy and autism affect each other
Children with cerebral palsy and autism may experience additional challenges that impact their development. These conditions can complicate each other, as symptoms of one may hide or worsen symptoms of the other.
For instance, a child with a type of cerebral palsy might have motor impairments that make it difficult to communicate, potentially masking social challenges associated with autism.
Similarly, sensory sensitivities common in autism could be heightened by physical discomfort from muscle tightness or movement difficulties in cerebral palsy.
These overlapping symptoms may lead to delays in diagnosis and require individualized treatment.
Autism symptoms in children with cerebral palsy
Recognizing autism in children with CP can be challenging because symptoms of these coexisting conditions may mask one another.
- What are the similarities between autism and cerebral palsy symptoms? Both autism and cerebral palsy can affect communication, behavior, and reaching developmental milestones. Children may experience speech difficulties and sensory sensitivities.
Early signs of each condition often blend, making diagnosis and treatment complex.
Early cerebral palsy symptoms
Children with CP typically have motor issues like muscle tone irregularities, poor coordination, and delayed physical milestones like rolling over or sitting up.
Cerebral palsy symptoms primarily affect movement and posture and can be identified within the first years of life.
Early autism symptoms
Children with autism often show different signs from cerebral palsy, including challenges with communication and social interaction.
- Communication difficulties and lack of response to their name
- Delayed, unusual, or absent speech development
- Difficulty with social interactions, like limited eye contact
- Preference for solitary play over engaging with peers
- Repetitive behaviors, such as hand flapping or rocking
- Sensory sensitivities to noise, lights, textures, or other stimuli
Identifying and addressing these symptoms can improve a child's development and well-being.
Co-occurring symptoms in children with both conditions
When both autism and CP are present, it can lead to combined challenges.
- Delays in reaching developmental milestones
- Difficulty with communication
- Sensory sensitivities that further affect movement or behavior
If you have questions about your child’s cerebral palsy and autism, we may be able to help.
Cerebral Palsy Guide has labor and delivery nurses on staff who are here to listen to your story and answer your questions.
Connect with one of our registered nurses for free.
Diagnosis for children with cerebral palsy and autism
Diagnosing children who have autism and cerebral palsy together can be complex, as symptoms often overlap.
Physicians use various screenings and evaluations to distinguish between cerebral palsy vs autism.
Pediatricians screen for developmental delays during routine check-ups. If a child shows signs of CP or autism, further evaluation is recommended.
- For CP: Physical exams, brain imaging (MRI or CT scans), and motor function assessments
- For autism: Developmental assessments, behavioral evaluations, and social interaction tests
When both CP and autism are suspected, a comprehensive evaluation by specialists, like neurologists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists, helps ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Levels of autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder is categorized into three levels based on the amount of support an individual needs to function in daily life.
Learn about the levels of autism below.
Level 1 autism
Individuals at this level may find starting social interactions and maintaining back-and-forth conversations challenging.
They often use full sentences but may not respond in ways that others expect. Organizing daily tasks or switching between activities can be difficult.
Level 2 autism
People who fall into this category often have more noticeable social challenges. They may communicate in short sentences or focus narrowly on specific interests.
Repetitive behaviors and a need for routine are common, which can make daily life more complicated. Changes to routines can cause significant distress.
Level 3 autism
This is the most severe level of autism. Individuals may have significant challenges with both verbal and nonverbal communication, often speaking very little or struggling to respond to others.
Routines and behaviors can be extremely inflexible, greatly impacting day-to-day life. Intensive support is usually needed to assist with communication and daily activities.
Other genetic disorders
Several genetic disorders are associated with a higher likelihood of autism.
- Chromosomal changes: Certain changes in chromosomes are linked to a higher chance of autism
- Fragile X syndrome: A genetic condition that can cause intellectual disabilities and symptoms of autism
- Prader-Willi syndrome: A genetic disorder that causes developmental delays, behavior challenges, and sometimes autism-like traits
These genetic disorders share features with autism and increase the likelihood of an ASD diagnosis.
However, some conditions like Asperger’s syndrome and Rett syndrome are classified differently within or alongside the autism spectrum.
Asperger’s syndrome
Historically, Asperger’s syndrome was considered separate from autism. However, it is now included within the broader autism spectrum.
People with Asperger's often have average or above-average intelligence but may experience challenges with social interactions and communication.
Rett syndrome
Rett syndrome, primarily seen in girls, is characterized by a loss of motor skills and the development of repetitive hand movements.
This condition can lead to severe impairments that affect nearly every aspect of a child’s life. Rett syndrome can hinder a child’s ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe easily on their own.
“If the child is in distress or something is wrong, they have no way to communicate that, which can be very frightening for parents. Especially because of the health risks associated with Rett syndrome.”
— Katie Lavender, RN
Though Rett syndrome shares some features with autism, it is now recognized as a distinct genetic disorder with overlapping symptoms.
Managing autism and cerebral palsy
The best way to determine if a child has both cerebral palsy and autism is by seeking an evaluation from a team of specialists experienced in the way that these conditions can co-exist.
If it is determined that a child has autism and cerebral palsy, there are various treatment options available to ensure that they are able to live life to the fullest despite their diagnosis.
Creating an autism and cerebral palsy treatment plan
When a child is diagnosed with both cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder, a personalized treatment plan is essential.
Addressing both conditions requires a multi-disciplinary approach to improve physical, communication, and behavioral outcomes.
- Physical therapy: Aimed at enhancing balance, mobility, and muscle coordination, this therapy is key for children with CP to improve motor skills and overall physical function.
- Speech therapy: For those with cerebral palsy and autism, this includes enhancing speech, social interactions, and CP-related feeding or swallowing challenges.
- Occupational therapy: Helps children manage daily tasks such as dressing, eating, and using sensory-friendly strategies to minimize sensitivities.
- Behavioral therapy: For autism-related behaviors, behavioral therapies can be used to manage repetitive behaviors, improve social skills, and encourage coping skills.
- Medications: These may be prescribed to manage a variety of symptoms, like seizures (commonly associated with CP), anxiety, or behavioral challenges linked to ASD.
- Surgery: For some children with cerebral palsy, surgery may be considered to address mobility issues, muscle tightness, or deformities that hinder movement and quality of life.
A comprehensive treatment plan that combines therapies and interventions can support a child’s unique needs and enhance their overall quality of life.
Support for families of children with autism and cerebral palsy
Families raising a child with both autism and cerebral palsy face unique challenges, from managing daily care to navigating complex medical and educational needs.
It's important for parents to understand that early intervention is key to helping their child thrive. Unfortunately, in some cases, medical negligence during childbirth may have contributed to the development of cerebral palsy.
If you suspect your child’s condition could have been prevented, your family may be entitled to financial compensation through a CP lawsuit.
This money can help cover the costs of ongoing therapies, medications, and special education services.
Our legal partners have recovered over $1 billion for families nationwide impacted by preventable birth injuries.
Call us right now at (855) 220-1101 or get a free case review to find out if we can help your family.