Prevalence and functioning of children with cerebral palsy in four areas of the United States in 2006: a report from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.
One in three children with CP have limited walking and 8% also have autism—factor both into goals and staffing.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The CDC tracked 8-year-olds with cerebral palsy in four U.S. states. They counted how many kids had CP and how well each child walked, talked, and played. Doctors and school records gave the data.
What they found
About 3 in every 1,000 children had CP. Just over half walked on their own. One in three could not walk or needed help. Eight out of every 100 kids with CP also had autism.
How this fits with other research
Capio et al. (2013) watched the same age group for two years. They saw that children who could not walk lost social and language skills over time. The 2011 snapshot now looks like an early warning sign.
Tamplain et al. (2024) asked parents of children with DCD about therapy. Most said services were too few. Together the papers show that knowing the numbers is only step one; step two is fixing the gaps.
Fernell et al. (2010) counted autism in Stockholm 6-year-olds. They found 6.2 per 1,000. U.S. CP rates are about half as common, but both studies prove that big registries can guide local planning.
Why it matters
Use these hard numbers when you write grants or justify equipment. Expect one non-walker in every three CP cases on your list. Screen for autism in that group, because 8% will have both. Plan extra social-communication goals for non-ambulatory kids before skills slip.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
AIM: To estimate the prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) and the frequency of co-occurring developmental disabilities (DDs), gross motor function (GMF), and walking ability using the largest surveillance DD database in the US. METHODS: We conducted population-based surveillance of 8-year-old children in 2006 (N=142,338), in areas of Alabama, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Missouri. This multi-site collaboration involved retrospective record review at multiple sources. We reported CP subtype, co-occurring DDs, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, and walking ability as well as CP period prevalence by race/ethnicity and sex. RESULTS: CP prevalence was 3.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1-3.7) per 1000 and varied by site, ranging from 2.9 (Wisconsin) to 3.8 (Georgia) per 1000, 8-year olds (p<0.02). Approximately 81% had spastic CP. Among children with CP, 8% had an autism spectrum disorder and 35% had epilepsy. Using the GMFCS, 38.1% functioned at the highest level (I), with 17.1% at the lowest level (V). Fifty-six percent were able to walk independently and 33% had limited or no walking ability. INTERPRETATION: Surveillance data are enhanced when factors such as functioning and co-occurring conditions known to affect clinical service needs, quality of life, and health care are also considered.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2011 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2010.12.042