Types of Cerebral Palsy

Go To Back

Spastic Cerebral Palsy 

People with spastic CP have stiff and jerky movements in their
bodies. This is because their muscle tone is too high, and their
muscles are too tight. They often have difficulty moving from one
position to another or letting go of something.  This is the most
common type occurring in about one-half of all people with CP.

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy 

People with athetoid CP have mixed muscle tone. Their muscle tone
is sometimes too high and sometimes too low. They often have
trouble holding themselves in an upright, steady position for sitting or
walking. They often show a lot of movement in their upper body and
make faces unintentionally. They make large movements, so it may
take a lot of concentration to perform a simple task like reaching for a
cup. Because of the mixed muscle tone, they may have trouble
keeping a position and may not be able to hold onto small items like a
pencil or fork. About one-fourth of all people with CP have athetoid
CP.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy 

People with ataxic CP look very unsteady and shaky. They have a lot
of shakiness, especially when they are trying to do something like
write or turn a page. They also often have very poor balance and
have a wide-based gait when they walk. Because of this shaky
movement they often take longer to perform a task. The ataxic form is
the least seen form of CP.

Mixed Cerebral Palsy 

• It is common for people to have symptoms of more than one of the
previous three forms. This is when muscle tone is too low in some
muscles and too high in other muscles, hence the name mixed CP.
About one-fourth of all people with CP have mixed CP.                        

Tweet