That's what I meant, a lot of us were diagnosed at an early age, very likely
by the process of elimination (i.e., "It's not this, nor is it that,
therefore the symptoms fit cerebral palsy...") There were a lot fewer
diagnostic tools when I was born, and fewer recognised neurological
conditions.
Kat
----- Original Message -----
From: "SteveWalline" <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.c-palsy
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 4:38 PM
Subject: Re: Sites About CP
> I was diagnosed at 6mo back in 1949(pre stone age)by an old doc looking
> through his medical books
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Anthony Arnold" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 2:03 PM
> Subject: Re: Sites About CP
>
>
> > Hello, My name is Anthony and I'm from North Dakota. I'm 25 with
> > Cerebral Palsy, and use a power chair and a communication device with
> > voice output to communicate with. I have to agree with Kenneth, I find
> > it hard to believe that they don't diagnose a lot sooner, so you can
> > begin the right therapies and educational planning instead of going in
> > the dark with everything you do. I was diagnosed right around my 1st
> > birthday (give or take a few months), but however my parents started
> > noticing motor problems with me around 8 months old, so they began
> > consulting doctors and other specialists. One of the things I think
> > made my diagnosing process so successful (according to me), is I have
> > parents who have always cooperated fully with my doctors, therapists and
> > other specialists. Sure, there have been some disagreements over the
> > years on somethings, but you don't want to call WAR on everything you
> > disagree on, or nothing would get done effectively in the rehabilitation
> > part. After they learned that my parents would cooperate with them but
> > still wanted the very best for me, I think they tried harder, which in
> > the end made a very independent adult, because I work and live
> > independently with limited supports, which has surprised everybody. The
> > first step I would suggest doing is taking the child to the doctor to
> > get a referral to a rehabilitation specialist. There's nothing wrong
> > with going to 2 or 3 doctors to get a diagnosis. Again, the keyword is
> > "cooperation" and another is "respect", and your child will go a long
> > way.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Anthony
> >
> > Visit me at http://www.ara1.net/
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Barber, Kenneth L.
> > Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 9:39 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Sites About CP
> >
> > One thing, I think usually a diagnosis for cp is normally made early in
> > a
> > child's life. For a 8 year old not to have a diagnosis is quite unusual.
> > Anyway these sites will have good information and might be very useful.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Kathy Salkin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 9:53 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Sites About CP
> >
> > A list of links with information about CP. If you need any
> > clarification
> > about information on a particular site, I suggest you email the site's
> > author
> > or its webmaster.
> >
> > SCOPE:
> > http://www.scope.org.uk/
> >
> > UCP:
> > http://www.ucpa.org/
> >
> > OFCP (Ontario Foundation for CP):
> > http://www.ofcp.on.ca/
> >
> > Bobath Centre (for CP):
> > http://www.bobath.org.uk/
> >
> > All of these can, and do, give you general information on CP, and how
> > the
> > diagnois is made.
> >
> > A few caveats:
> >
> > 1) These are starting points. You need to be talking to your child's
> > doctor
> > as well as reading up as much as you can.
> >
> > 2) CP is NOT a disease, it's a condition resulting from injury to the
> > part
> > of
> > the brain that controls muscles. CP in itself doesn't get worse but it
> > can
> > affect the aging process (as we older CPs on this list know all too
> > well).
> >
> > 3) The affects of CP are very individualistic; no two CPs are affected
> > exactly the same way. Yes, there are general types that you will learn
> > of,
> > and many CPs have multiple disabilities, but it can affect two persons
> > in
> > completely different ways.
> >
> > 4) CP seems to be getting diagnosed later these days; it used to be that
> > it
> > was diagnosed at the time of birth or very early in childhood. This is
> > likekly the result of more advanced neurological diagnostic tools such
> > as
> > MRI's.
> >
> > Keep on asking questions if need be. I'll try to answer as much as I
> > can
> > with
> > my work and time restraints.
> >
> > Kat
> >
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