For decades, cerebral palsy (CP) was often diagnosed after a child’s second birthday, when missed milestones and movement challenges became harder to ignore. Today, that timeline is changing, thanks to a groundbreaking early-detection program led by therapists and physicians at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.
“This program started with a simple but powerful idea: if we can see the signs earlier, we can act earlier,” says Heather Waters, PT, DPT. “By bringing early cerebral palsy screening into the NICU, we’re able to connect babies and families to the right care sooner—when it can make the greatest difference.”
Using advanced movement assessments, clinical exams and brain imaging, specialists can now identify signs of CP in some babies before their first birthday, sometimes as early as their NICU stay.
The shift is more than diagnostic. It’s transformational.
“Early diagnosis truly changes everything for families,” says Rachel Mednick Thompson, MD, director of the Southern Family Center for Cerebral Palsy at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego and associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at University of California San Diego. “When we identify cerebral palsy earlier, we can begin targeted therapies sooner, ease the uncertainty families often face, and help children build greater independence as they grow.”
A key tool in the program is the General Movements Assessment, which uses short videos to capture a baby’s natural movement patterns. Subtle differences, often invisible to the untrained eye, can signal neurological concerns. When paired with additional clinical evaluations and MRI brain imaging, clinicians can identify infants at high risk with remarkable accuracy.
Why does timing matter so much? Because a baby’s brain is especially adaptable in the first year of life. Starting physical, occupational and speech therapy early can improve strength, coordination and functional skills over time. While CP can’t be cured, early care can meaningfully shape a child’s abilities and their quality of life.
Just as important, families gain clarity and support sooner. Rather than years of uncertainty or dismissed concerns, parents are guided by a coordinated, multidisciplinary team that follows their child from the NICU into outpatient care. Powered by collaboration across neonatology, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics and therapy, the program reflects a shared commitment to doing better for children and families.
The goal is simple but profound: identify concerns earlier, support families sooner, and help every child reach their fullest potential.