Cognition refers to the ability to use your intellectual capacity to learn, perceive, and reason with others. When an individual suffers from cognitive impairment, they may find it difficult to perceive and understand reality, judge certain situations, and communicate effectively with others. As a result, it may be more challenging to build relationships and achieve goals. Cognitive impairment can have several causes, one of which is cerebral palsy.

Causes of Poor Judgment

Poor judgment or judgment issues refer to the inability to make decisions that are appropriate for a given situation. Someone who struggles with judgment issues may have trouble evaluating crucial factors when making a decision, such as the possible outcome of behavior or any potential consequences of that choice. Judgment is linked to cognitive function, so a lack of judgment in a situation can be linked to several causes. One of these causes is cerebral palsy, which is a movement disorder linked to the development of the brain.

Other causes of poor judgment include dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, acquired or traumatic brain injuries, and developmental delays. The ability to assess risk and judge a situation can also take time to develop, so children and adolescents tend to have worse judgment than adults who have more life experience.

Cerebral Palsy and Judgment Issues

The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary between cases as well as among the types of CP. Spastic CP is most common in childhood cases and can cause physical symptoms as well as cognitive impairment. As a result, people with cerebral palsy may deal with intellectual disabilities and have trouble judging situations. Up to half of the children impacted by cerebral palsy also have cognitive impairment on some level, and the severity of the CP case is often connected to the level of impairment.

In addition to judgment issues, individuals with cognitive impairment caused by cerebral palsy may also struggle with comprehension, decision making, learning, memory and processing, speech, problem-solving, and recognition. Attention span is also a function of cognition, so an impairment can impact the ability to focus on a task.

Diagnosing Cerebral Palsy

Since cerebral palsy frequently occurs in utero, babies may exhibit physical signs of the disorder, but cognitive impairment takes longer to be apparent. A baby won’t be able to judge a situation and make a rational decision, so this is a sign of CP that generally shows up when a child is a bit older. If you suspect that your child’s judgment issues may be linked to cerebral palsy, it is important to take them to a qualified healthcare professional for an assessment. Early intervention can benefit children diagnosed with CP.

A cerebral palsy judgment issue can be difficult to diagnose, as impaired judgment can have several causes. However, a specialized provider, such as a developmental pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist, can test brain function and perform diagnostic testing to determine the cause for the concerning actions.

Concerns of Poor Judgment

Judgment issues that present in childhood can make it more difficult for a child to form relationships or make decisions in social situations. Poor judgment can also impact a child’s safety, such as if they were to cross the street without checking for cars or jump off a high ledge that could cause injury.

Social interaction tends to suffer when an individual doesn’t know how to behave in situations or interact with others without hurting their feelings or speaking out of turn. Poor judgment can also impair a person’s ability to care for themselves. They may not be concerned with their personal hygiene or dressing appropriately for the climate.

Treatment for Poor Judgment

While cognitive impairment has no known cure, the struggles associated with it, including judgment issues, can be treated. Occupational therapy may help a child learn how to care for themselves in some capacity, while speech and language therapy can improve communication skills. A customized therapy plan for a child with poor judgment will often address their behavior, functionality, memory, literacy, learning ability, and communication. Children who struggle with this concern may also benefit from additional support from their caregivers, such as the expression of pride in their achievements, consideration for their challenges, and providing adequate opportunities for interaction.

Cerebral palsy is a challenging movement disorder that can greatly impact the person who suffers from it as well as those who provide care to that individual. Families of cerebral palsy patients often deal with financial and emotional strain as a result of providing the necessary care. Cerebral palsy can be caused by medical malpractice, and those impacted may be eligible for compensation. At Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC, we have worked with over 30,000 families to provide legal advice and decide how to move forward with their case. Contact us to find out whether you may be eligible for legal compensation.

Reviewed by:
Claire Surles, RN
Registered Nurse

Claire comes to JJS after a 10-year career as a labor and delivery nurse. She dedicated her hospital efforts to advocating for families, providing the safest birthing environment possible as Newborn Admission Nurse at UMMC St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Maryland. Her passion for helping those who experienced losses at any stage of gestation led to her appointment as Coordinator of the hospital’s ROOTS perinatal loss program. READ FULL BIO

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