Comprehensive Cerebral Palsy Assessment at Cadabam's CDC

The Cadabam’s Advantage: A Leading Cerebral Palsy Assessment Centre

Choosing where to get your child assessed is one of the most important decisions you will make. It sets the foundation for their entire therapeutic journey. Cadabam’s is more than just a therapy clinic; we are a specialised Cerebral Palsy treatment centre meticulously designed for accurate diagnosis and holistic, long-term planning. Our approach ensures that from the very first day, your family is supported, informed, and empowered.

A Coordinated Multidisciplinary Team Approach

At Cadabam's, the assessment is not a series of disconnected appointments. Our team of developmental paediatricians, paediatric neurologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists collaborates under one roof. They share insights in real-time to build a complete, 360-degree picture of your child's needs. This integrated method prevents fragmented care, saves you the stress of visiting multiple locations, and ensures that every aspect of your child's development is considered.

State-of-the-Art Infrastructure for Accurate Diagnosis

An accurate diagnosis requires the right tools and environment. Our centre is equipped with dedicated facilities to support a precise evaluation. This includes spacious rooms for observing gross and fine motor skills, sensory-equipped spaces to understand sensory processing needs, and specialised tools for advanced evaluations like gait analysis for Cerebral Palsy. This investment in cutting-edge infrastructure demonstrates our commitment to diagnostic precision.

From Assessment to Actionable Therapy Plans

We believe a diagnosis should be a beginning, not an endpoint. The detailed report you receive is more than just clinical findings; it's the blueprint for a practical, integrated, and effective therapy program. Our team excels at translating complex assessment data into meaningful, real-world goals. We ensure a seamless transition from diagnosis to support, bridging the gap between clinical evaluation and your child’s daily life activities, from playing with friends to succeeding in school.

Does Your Child Need a Cerebral Palsy Assessment? Key Indicators

Observing developmental differences in your child can be worrying, but seeking an early assessment is a proactive and empowering step. It's about gaining clarity so you can provide the best possible support. If you notice any of the following signs, a professional evaluation is recommended.

Delays in Gross and Fine Motor Milestones

Gross motor skills involve the large muscles used for sitting, standing, and walking, while fine motor skills involve the small muscles of the hands. Key signs include:

• Difficulty lifting or holding their head up.
• Not rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking at expected age ranges.
• Struggling to bring hands together or to their mouth.
• Trouble grasping toys, holding a crayon, or using utensils.

Atypical Muscle Tone (Hypertonia/Hypotonia)

Cerebral Palsy often affects muscle tone, making muscles either too stiff (hypertonia) or too floppy (hypotonia). Look for:

• Limbs that feel unusually stiff and rigid.
• Frequently clenched fists, even after 6 months of age.
• Legs that stiffen and cross or "scissor" when picked up.
• A body that feels limp or "floppy," like a rag doll.

Difficulties with Posture, Balance, and Coordination

Challenges with movement control are a hallmark of CP. This is where a detailed assessment, including a gait analysis for Cerebral Palsy, becomes essential. Signs include:

• Asymmetrical movements (e.g., favouring one side of the body or dragging one leg while crawling).
• Unsteady or wobbly walking (ataxic gait).
• Frequent tripping and falling.
• Difficulty sitting still or maintaining an upright posture.

Co-occurring Speech, Feeding, and Swallowing Issues

The same muscle control challenges that affect limbs can also impact the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and throat. This can lead to:

• Difficulty with sucking, chewing, or swallowing.
• Excessive drooling.
• Delayed speech development or difficulty forming words.
• A weak or breathy cry.

Sensory Processing and Perceptual Difficulties

Some children with CP may process sensory information differently. They may be over-sensitive (hypersensitive) or under-sensitive (hyposensitive) to stimuli like:

• Touch, sound, or light.
• Discomfort with certain clothing textures.
• Appearing to have a high pain tolerance or not noticing injuries.

The Cadabam’s Cerebral Palsy Assessment Process Explained

We understand that an assessment can feel intimidating. To demystify the experience, we've created a transparent and family-centered Cerebral Palsy assessment process. Here is a step-by-step guide to what you can expect when you visit our centre.

Step 1: Initial Parent Consultation and In-Depth Developmental History

Your journey begins with a conversation. We listen. Our experts sit down with you to understand your concerns, observations, and goals for your child. We gather a detailed history covering the pregnancy, birth, neonatal period, and key developmental milestones. This family-led approach ensures your knowledge and insights are at the core of the evaluation.

Step 2: Comprehensive Physical & Neurological Examination by a Developmental Paediatrician

A highly experienced developmental paediatrician or paediatric neurologist will conduct a thorough medical examination. This involves checking your child’s reflexes, muscle tone, motor function, posture, and coordination. This step is crucial for establishing a medical baseline and ruling out any other conditions that might present with similar symptoms.

Step 3: Targeted Multidisciplinary Evaluations

This is where our collaborative team approach shines. Your child will engage in play-based activities with our therapists to assess specific areas of development:

• Physical Therapy Evaluation (including Gait Analysis for Cerebral Palsy): Our physiotherapists are experts in movement. They will assess your child's strength, range of motion, balance, and walking patterns. For children who are walking, a detailed gait analysis for Cerebral Palsy helps us understand the precise mechanics behind their movement, identifying which muscles are overworking or underworking.
• Occupational Therapy Evaluation: Our OTs focus on function and independence. They assess your child’s fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, sensory processing abilities, and their capacity to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) like dressing, eating, and playing.
• Speech and Language Evaluation: Our speech-language pathologists evaluate all aspects of communication. This includes understanding language, expressing needs and ideas, articulation (clarity of speech), and the oral-motor skills required for safe eating and swallowing.

Step 4: The Official Diagnostic Assessment and Detailed Report

After all evaluations are complete, our multidisciplinary team meets to synthesise their findings. This culminates in a formal Cerebral Palsy diagnostic assessment. We provide you with a single, comprehensive report that:

• Confirms a diagnosis, if applicable.
• Specifies the type of CP (e.g., Spastic, Dyskinetic, Ataxic, Mixed).
• Describes the severity and areas of the body affected.
• Clearly outlines your child's strengths and areas needing support.

Step 5: Collaborative Goal Setting and Family Empowerment

We don’t just hand you a report and send you on your way. The final, most important step is a dedicated feedback session. We sit down with you to walk through the findings in clear, understandable language. We answer all your questions and, together, we set meaningful, achievable goals for therapy that align with your family's priorities.

Beyond Diagnosis: Tailored Support Programs at Cadabam’s

An accurate diagnosis is the key that unlocks the right support. The assessment directly informs the creation of a personalised intervention plan designed to help your child thrive.

Full-Time Developmental Rehabilitation for Comprehensive Needs

For children who require intensive, daily support, especially following a Cerebral Palsy assessment for toddlers that identifies significant needs, our full-time program offers an immersive therapeutic environment.

Outpatient Therapy Cycles: PT, OT, and Speech Therapy

We offer flexible outpatient programs for families seeking targeted therapy sessions on a regular basis. These cycles are designed around the goals identified in the assessment and include regular reviews to monitor progress and adapt the plan.

Home-Based Therapy Guidance & Digital Parent Coaching

We empower you to be your child’s best therapist. Our experts provide you with strategies, activities, and guidance to continue therapeutic progress at home, reinforced through our digital parent coaching and tele-health services.

Expertise You Can Trust: The Professionals Behind Your Child’s Assessment

Our team is our greatest asset. When you come to Cadabam’s, you are entrusting your child to a group of dedicated, experienced, and compassionate professionals, including:

• Developmental Paediatricians
• Paediatric Neurologists
• Child Psychologists
• Paediatric Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Special Educators

Quote from Our Lead Paediatric Physiotherapist

"Gait analysis for Cerebral Palsy is more than just watching a child walk. We use specific observational techniques and tools to understand the 'why' behind their movement patterns. This precision allows us to design physical therapy that targets the root cause, not just the symptom, leading to more functional and lasting improvements."

Quote from Our Head of Occupational Therapy

"Our diagnostic assessment process is holistic. We look at how motor challenges impact a child's ability to play, learn, and be independent. The goal is always to improve quality of life and foster confidence. We see the child first, not the diagnosis."

Real Journeys: The Impact of a Timely CP Assessment

Anonymised stories help illustrate the power of a clear diagnosis and targeted intervention.

Case Study 1: Aarav, Age 2 - The Power of a Cerebral Palsy Assessment for Toddlers

• Challenge: Aarav’s parents were concerned because at 18 months, he wasn't attempting to stand or crawl like his peers. He primarily used a "scooting" motion to move.
• Process: The family sought a Cerebral Palsy assessment for toddlers at Cadabam's. Our multidisciplinary evaluation, including detailed motor testing, identified spastic diplegia, a type of CP primarily affecting the legs.
• Outcome: Armed with a clear diagnosis, an early intervention plan was created. Intensive physiotherapy focused on stretching and strengthening, while OT worked on play-based skills. Within a year, Aarav learned to use a paediatric walker and began taking his first independent steps, opening up a new world of exploration.

Case Study 2: Priya, Age 7 - A Clear Path for School and Social Life

• Challenge: Priya was struggling in her mainstream school. Her handwriting was messy, she frequently tripped on the playground, and she found it hard to keep up with friends, leading to social withdrawal.
• Process: The Cadabam’s diagnostic assessment process identified mild ataxic CP, which affected her balance and coordination, along with co-occurring sensory processing issues that made the noisy classroom overwhelming.
• Outcome: Her therapy plan was tailored to her specific needs. Occupational therapy improved her fine motor skills and provided sensory strategies for the classroom. Physical therapy worked on balance and coordination. We also enrolled her in a social skills group. Today, Priya participates confidently in school activities and has built strong friendships.