The heightened risk of epilepsy in cerebral palsy (CP) was recognized by Freud more than 100 years ago. His descriptions of the characteristics of the seizures indicate his appreciation of their essentially symptomatic nature. Much more recently, the importance of epilepsy as an adverse factor for cognitive function in children with hemiplegic CP has been highlighted. The possibility that subclinical seizure discharges may add to cognitive problems requires particular attention in any child whose abilities may be already impaired secondary to structural brain abnormalities. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that the motor difficulties, and any intellectual disabilities, as well as complicating seizures, are likely to stem from the same underlying pathology.