What Are the Different Types of Cerebral Palsy?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 10,000 American babies are diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP) each year. The cerebral palsy disorder varies in degree of disability, and is broken down into three major types: spastic, athetoid and ataxic. While one child may be afflicted with one type of cerebral palsy, it is not uncommon for another child to be afflicted with a combination of several different types, as in Erb's Palsy. In fact, the spectrum of cerebral palsy is so vast, and treatments so diverse, that it is difficult to predict the effect that it will have on a child's development. But, what is certain is that a good treatment plan and community based support can help children with CP improve their functioning.

What Does the Term Cerebral Palsy Mean?

• Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that manifests early in a child's life; most notably, during infancy. The disorder is neurologically based, affecting the nerves and muscles and hindering normal, physical movement. Cerebral palsy occurs when there is trauma to the brain or lack of oxygen during the birth process, or in the womb. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) of Bethesda, Maryland explains that the severity of cerebral palsy does not change or increase over time; in other words, the Cerebral Palsy disorder is not degenerative.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

• Spastic cerebral palsy is one of the three major types of cerebral palsy and is identified by damage to the cerebral cortex in the brain. The American Pregnancy Association reports that the spastic form of cerebral palsy affects between 70 and 80 percent of children affected with the CP disorder, and is denoted by stiffness of the muscles that is also known as "diplegia." Children with spastic cerebral palsy have difficulty walking because one side of their body (spastic hemiplegia), or both sides of the body can show symptoms of muscle tightening. In some instances all four appendages are affected (spastic quadriplegia) making arm motion just as difficult as leg motion.

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

• Athetoid cerebral palsy is also referred to as "dyskinetic" cerebral palsy, and is the second most common form of cerebral palsy that is seen. Drooling and speech problems often accompany walking problems in this type of cerebral palsy that occurs due to the damaged basal ganglia deep within the brain. As Cerebral Palsy.org explains, one of the main features of the disorder is the fact that the child's intelligence level is usually unaffected. However, the weakness and muscle tone deficiencies are reflected in all of the muscles throughout the body often resulting in unwanted movement.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

• Ataxic cerebral palsy is the rarest of the three main types and often affects fine motor movements such as, using a pencil, scissors or tying his shoe. In the book "Handling the Young Child with Cerebral Palsy" author Nancy R. Finnie notes that unlike athetoid cerebral palsy, ataxic cerebral palsy affects voluntary movements. Damage to the brain in ataxic cerebral palsy cases occurs in the area of the back of the head, which houses the part of the brain known as the cerebellum.

Mild Cerebral Palsy

• Aside from the three main types of cerebral palsy is a subtype that is mild. Children with mild cerebral palsy may be difficult to diagnose because their symptoms may not be as apparent as children with severe symptoms of the disorder. In fact, a child with mild cerebral palsy may not show any signs of the disorder at all. Cerebral Palsy Source points out that a child suffering from mild cerebral palsy may show signs of difficulty with reaching, writing and lifting, but may excel in other areas of a physical nature. Children with mild cerebral palsy are often not affected academically, and have no trouble keeping up with their peers. Unfortunately, because the child does not have a severe handicap he may not qualify to receive therapy services through his public school system.