Cerebral Palsy Types

Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form, affecting approximately 70 percent of cerebral palsy patients. This form is characterized by stiff and permantently contracted muscles. This has a jerky, unpredictable effect on movement, causing difficulty in moving from position to position. Spastic cerebral palsy consists of these subcategories: (the last two are rare)

•  Diplegia – Both arms of both legs are affected
• Hemiplegia – Either the right arm and leg or left arm and leg are affected.
•  Quadriplegia – All arms and legs are affected
•  Monoplegia – Only one arm or leg affected
•  Triplegia – Three arms or legs affected

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy is much less common that spastic, affecting approximately 5 to 10 percent of cerebral palsy patients. The main effect of this type is on the child's sense of depth perception and balance. This is often accompanied by poor coordination, and children affected by ataxic cerebral palsy can display an abnormal gait when walking, as well as difficulty with precise movement. Another characteristic of ataxic cerebral palsy is the intention tremor. These tremors are initiated by a voluntary movement, such as reaching for a light switch, and become more severe as the individual gets closer to the objective.

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

Athetoid cerebral palsy affects about 10 to 20 percent of patients. The primary characteristic is slow, uncontrolled movement. In most cases, this affects the arms, legs, hands and feet, and in rare cases, the musculature of the face and tongue, which can cause drooling and grimacing. These effects often become more severe in stressful and/or emotional times, and can also disappear entirely during sleep. Many children also have problems coordinating the muscles that are used in speech, resulting in a condition known as dysarthria.