Psychiatric Disorders in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Mental health issues including frank psychiatric disorders can be challenging to identify in children given the complexity of attention, mood, and behavior regulation symptom presentation over time. In children with cerebral palsy, identification can be further complicated by differences in motor, communication, cognition, or learning. Parents, caretakers, and clinicians can become familiar with signs of mental health concerns in this population. This can facilitate early referral for further testing, therapeutic approaches (cognitive and pharmacological), and academic and social supports. Monitoring over time with more than one approach is discussed as warranted/necessary based on a child’s individual progress and developmental course.