A man who was found guilty of violently shaking his baby has been given a suspended jail sentence so he can help care for his now severely-disabled son.

Philip Edward Clarke's three-month-old son sustained severe brain damage in August 2006 while at home with his parents at Ingle Farm in Adelaide.

Clarke and the infant's mother were charged, but charges against the woman were dropped.

Clarke, 28, was found guilty of criminal neglect.

The court heard the boy's injuries were caused by violent shaking or by shaking and throwing the baby with force.

Judge Wayne Chivell suspended a three-year jail term in favour of a good behaviour bond.

He said it would be more constructive for Clarke to keep helping care for his son, who is now partially blind and badly brain-damaged.