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Types of Cerebral Palsy

The different types of Cerebral Palsy are classified based on the movement disorder that is involved as well as the parts of the body that are affected. Depending on where the primary damage is, the symptoms differ imensely. While there are three main types, it is possible that a child could present symptoms from the different types. This is called mixed cerebral palsy. The most common type of Mixed CP is Spastic-Dyskinetic. 

There are typically four ways in a which a person may be impacted: 

  1. Diplegia/Diparesis: Marked by stiffness in legs while arms may not be impacted, may have difficulty walking because legs may turn in or cross(scissor)

  2. Hemiplegia/Hemiparesis: Affects one side of a person's body, but the arm is typically more impacted.

  3. Quardriplegia/quadriparesis: Most severe form of Spastic CP. Because it impacts legs, trunk and face, children typically cannot walk and may also have increased presence of developmental disabilities

  4. Monoplegia: Only one limb is affected by stiffness

Just scroll down to learn about the different types of CP based on movement disorders!

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

  • Most common type and present in 80% of cases

  • What does this mean? An affectd person may have:

    • Affected joints that are stiff and difficult to move

    • Increased muscle tone (hypotonia)

    • Difficulty moving from one position to another because of lack of control 

  • Why does this happen? Spasticity is caused by damage to the motor cortex so messages about the muscles are incorrectly sent to the brain.

This is what spasticity in the arms looks like! This can make simple daily tasks like getting dressed, bathing oneself, feeding oneself, and wrting very difficuly. 

 

  • Hip Flexion

  • Scissoring of the thighs 

  • Flexion at the knees

  • Equinovarus foot posture that results from calf muscle tightness

Spasticity in the legs can make walking, standing, and transferring positions very difficult. 

Arm Spasticity

Leg Spasticity 

Equinovarus foot posture

Scissoring of the thighs

Diskinetic Cerebral Palsy

  • A person may have repetitive movements that are often rapid and painful 

  • Involuntary movements may occur when the person makes an attempt at controlling a movement 

  • Involuntary movements are often more common when the person is tired or in a hightened emotional state

  • What does this mean? An affectd person may have:

    • Involuntary muscle movements that are twisting and repetitive (dystonia), slow (athetosis), or dance-like and unpredictable (chorea)

    • Spasticity is often common with this form of CP

    • May affect one part of the body or the entire body

  • Why does this happen? Due to damage to the basal ganglia which handles voluntary movements, the signals from the brain to the spinal cord are interrupted resulting in involuntary muscle movements 

Dystonia

Athetosis

  • A person may experience fluctuation in muscle tone, so their muscles may go from really stiff to really relaxed 

  • This variation in muscle tone makes sitting, standing, and grasping very difficult  

  • Involuntary movements are often more common when the person is in a hightened emotional state

  • A person will often experience difficulties with eating and drinking

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

  • This is the least common form  of cerebral palsy 

  • What does this mean?​

    • Problems with balance or coordination

    • Unsteady walking and shaky movements 

    • May have difficulty with quick movements or controlled movements

  • Why does this happen?

    • ​This type of CP results from damage to the cerebellum. (Think back to the brain! --It's responsible for balance and coordination)

  • Because Ataxic CP is marked by lack of coordination, a person may overshoot when they are reaching for a target.

  • Difficulty with tasks that require precision or quick repetition such as writing or clapping

Impact on the Arms

Impact on the Legs

  • Because of the increased instability, a person is more likely to fall or lose balance

  • A person will typically walk with a wider stance to accomodate for instability 

Let's Define: Spasticity

This means that the muscles are continuously contracted. This makes them stiff and difficult to move

Let's Define: Ataxia

This means "without order" or incoordination. 

Arm Spasticity

Let's Define: Dystonia

Dystonia is characterized by twisting and repetitive movements

Let's Define: Athetosis

Athetosis is characterized by slow and 'stormy' movements. A stormy movement is a period of increased/sudden activity.

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016)

(Cerebral Palsy Alliance, 2016)

(CerebralPalsy.org, n.d.)

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