Types of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy occurs because an area of the brain that
controls muscle tone is damaged. Depending on what area is
most affected and the degree of the damage will determine
what type of cerebral palsy it is classified as. There are
four main types of cerebral palsy, including spastic cerebral
palsy, ataxic cerebral palsy, athetoid cerebral palsy, and
mixed cerebral palsy. Around 25% of people with cerebral palsy
have a mixed form of cerebral palsy, meaning the limbs that
are affected combine different types of cerebral palsy.
Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type of cerebral
palsy, affecting around half of those with the condition.
Spastic is the term that refers to a muscle tone being too
tight, causing stiff and jerky movements. Often, this type
of cerebral palsy causes the individual to have a hard time
moving from position to position. The spasticity can affect
certain body movements or the entire body depending on the
severity. These rigid movements can be controlled by certain
cerebral palsy treatment methods that may include drugs, therapy,
and various equipment.
Ataxic cerebral palsy is the least common form of the condition
that most often disrupts the sense of balance and depth perception.
Ataxic is described as having low muscle tone and poor coordination,
so those affected by ataxic cerebral palsy appear shaky or
have a tremor. Due to the shakiness, those affected by ataxic
cerebral palsy may have problems with coordination.
Athetoid cerebral palsy involves muscle tone that can be too
high or too low, depending on that individual. This offset
muscle tone leads people to have difficulty with being able
to control and coordinate their movements. With athetoid cerebral
palsy it may be noticeable with the child that they are unable
to hold themselves up or they may appear to make movements
that are not intended, and with movements that are intentional
they may appear to be very difficult and require a lot of
concentration. Around one quarter of those affected with cerebral
palsy have athetoid cerebral palsy.
Mixed cerebral palsy involves low and high muscle tone. A
quarter of all affected by cerebral palsy have mixed cerebral
palsy, the combination of spasticity and athetoid movements.
The way that people with cerebral palsy are affected will
show in the areas of their bodies that respond different.
One fourth of cerebral palsy affected individuals will show
a combination of the following:
- Quadriplegia- all 4 of the limbs are involved
- Diplegia- all 4 limbs are involved, though the legs are
affected more than the arms
- Hemiplegia- one side of the body is affected, usually
the arm more than the leg
- Triplegia- 3 limbs are involved, usually one leg and both
arms
- Monoplegia- 1 limb is affected, usually an arm
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