Types of Cerebral Palsy

Currently there are four known types of cerebral palsy, which consist of:

• Athetoid/Dyskinetic
• Spastic Cerebral Palsy
• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
• Mixed Form Cerebral Palsy (combination of one or more of the above)

Athetoid/Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

This type of cerebral palsy is usually characterized by slow uncontrollable movements which usually affect the muscles in legs, hands, feet, and in some cases face or throat, which can result in drooling or grimacing. Such symptoms are most visible during times of emotional stress and are virtually invisible during sleep. In addition, this type of cerebral palsy can cause speech disorders. Athetoid or Dyskinetic cerebral palsy falls in to roughly 10-20 per cent of all cases.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

This is the most common type of cerebral palsy, which is known to occur in about 70-80 per cent of all cases. It is described based on which of patient's limbs are affected. In most of these cases ones limbs are either paralyzed or weak, which can follow a period of poor muscle development during early childhood.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

This form is cerebral palsy usually results in very shaky or unsteady movements as well as weak sense of balance, poor coordination, and depth perception in children. Children affected with ataxic cerebral palsy usually take longer to complete certain tasks as a result of such shaky movements and poor coordination. This type of condition occurs in about 5-10 percent of all cases.

Mixed Cerebral Palsy

In some cases, more than one of the above symptoms are present and most often include but are not limited to the combination of athetoid movements and spasticity.