Psychiatric Disorders among Children with Cerebral Palsy at School Starting Age
Abstract
The aim of the present population study was to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children with cerebral palsy (CP), as well as the impact of comorbid conditions. A cohort of children with CP born 2001-2003, and living in the Western Health Region of Norway were evaluated at school starting age. Parents were interviewed with the diagnostic instrument Kiddie-SADS, to find the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Sixty-seven children participated, 43 boys, with mean age 88 months (SD 6,8 months). Most children had spastic CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I and II were found in 2/3 of the group. We found the diagnostic instrument appropriate for GMFCS levels I-IV. Child psychiatric disorders were found in 57% of the children, including 28 children meeting criteria for an attention deficit disorder, which was the most common. Communication problem was significantly associated with having a psychiatric disorder, whereas intellectual disability, type of CP and functional level did not account for significant differences. Subthreshold symptoms were found in 33 children, and 42 children (75%) met criteria for either psychiatric disorder, or mental health symptoms. One in four (14 children) were considered well-functioning from a mental health point of view. We conclude with a recommendation for early psychiatric evaluation of all children with CP.
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Over half of children with cerebral palsy meet diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric disorder by school starting age.
“over half of children with CP meet diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric disorder by school starting age [4]”
From The Mental Health of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Review of the Last Five Years of Research (2025) · cites this paper as [4]
Previous research has indicated that over half of children with CP may meet diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder by school-starting age.
“Previous research has indicated that over half of children with CP may meet diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder by school-starting age [4].”
From The Mental Health of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Review of the Last Five Years of Research (2025) · cites this paper as [4]
The severity of symptoms, including ID and GMFCS level V, inhibiting the ability to appropriately assess or diagnose children with CP has been documented before.
“The severity of symptoms, including ID and GMFCS level V, inhibiting the ability to appropriately assess or diagnosis children with CP has been documented before [4].”
From The Mental Health of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Review of the Last Five Years of Research (2025) · cites this paper as [4]
Neuropsychiatric disorders, for example autism and ADHD, are more common in children with cerebral palsy than in typically developing children.
“Neuropsychiatric disorders, for example autism spectrum disorder (autism) and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are more common in children with CP than in typically developing children. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6”
From Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children with Cerebral Palsy: High Prevalence Rates in a Population-Based Study (2021) · cites this paper as [4]
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- Authors
- Bjorgaas, H. M., Hysing, M., & Elgen, I.
- Affiliations
- University of Bergen (NO)
- Haukeland University Hospital (NO)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Research in Developmental Disabilities
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-07
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1287-1293
- ISSN
- 0891-4222 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2052023510
- Cited by
- 91
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 4.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Research in Developmental Disabilities (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Keywords
- cerebral palsy, mental illness, children, school entry age, attention deficit disorder, communication difficulties, comorbidities, subthreshold symptoms, spastic cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System, mental health
- MeSH terms
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Mental Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Child, Communication Disorders, Female, Humans, Male, Intellectual Disability, Norway, Comorbidity, Prevalence
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