The severity of brain damage in the patient is what defines the degree of cerebral palsy. The symptoms may be mild and unrecognizable in cases of mild cerebral palsy. To make a diagnosis a series of medical tests must be undergone.

Mild cerebral palsy is sometimes difficult to diagnose since the symptoms tend to be subtle. In fact, many children with mild cerebral palsy may only experience an awkward gait (as a result of walking on tiptoes, for instance) or slight limb impairment. Oftentimes, mild cerebral palsy requires little or no treatment and children are able to live relatively normal lives.

Typically, in mild cerebral palsy, the child’s intellectual abilities are intact though they have some physical limitations. Because of this, the child may not qualify for the types of therapy and treatment that may assist them in alleviating some of the problems.

The primary cause of the cerebral palsy is injury sustained by the brain during prenatal, or early development, and even during childbirth. Children diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy have brain damage that is not extensive and has less severe symptoms. However, the brain injury is not reversible.

There are many ways brain injury can be sustained, including as a result of:

*asphyxia or lack of oxygen during or after delivery;

*serious case of jaundice;

*severe infections inside the womb and a few years after birth; and,

*birth injury or trauma

Some of the symptoms that may be present in children with mild cerebral palsy are:

*walking on their toes

*non-coordination of movement

*lack of balance

*lack or difficulties in use of motor skills; and, delayed physical development.