Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that restricts the movement of muscles affecting the ability to maintain balance in a person. It paralyzes the brain and distorts the messages between the brain and muscles. It can be caused by several reasons and exhibits a variety of symptoms.

The causes of cerebral palsy can be natural, like mutations in gene sequences, maternal infections, and severe head injuries, or its causes can be human mistakes like medical malpractice, birth injury, and early childhood abuse.

The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary and range from mild to severe, based on the part of the brain affected. However, common symptoms can include speech impairments, uncontrollable tremors, walking disabilities, joint problems, rigid muscles, and other neurological issues like cognitive and intellectual problems. Some signs and symptoms can be diagnosed in early childhood, but the most prominent symptoms appear after three years of birth.

A considerable number of children in the US are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year. It can be challenging for parents to raise children with cerebral palsy. Therefore, various cerebral palsy centers are present across the country to emotionally, medically, and financially assist parents with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. You just have to opt for one of the centers and follow its Cerebral Palsy Guide, which will help you take care of your child easily.

In this article, we are going to discuss the various types of cerebral palsy in detail.

Below are the different types or kinds of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is divided into different types depending on the brain’s damaged part and the type of movements affected. Specific movement disorders are caused based on the part of the brain affected. Here are different types of Cerebral Palsy;

1. Spastic Cerebral Palsy 

80% of the people suffering from CP are diagnosed with this type. It increases the muscle tone, making them stiff, leading to movement problems such as an inability to walk and cross knees. Spastic CP can further be divided into three types;

• Spastic diplegia

Spastic diplegia causes muscle stiffness particularly in the legs or lower half of the body. Arms are either affected mildly or not at all. Individuals suffering from spastic diplegia have a scissoring gait characterized by knees and thighs being pressed together or crossed while walking. Children diagnosed with this type of CP can walk with the help of walkers and other mobility devices.

• Spastic hemiplegia

Spastic hemiplegia only affects the arms or a single side of the body. Arms and legs on the affected side get shorter and thinner, causing the person to walk on tiptoes. Some people with this type of CP have curved spines, also called scoliosis. 

• Spastic quadriplegia

Spastic quadriplegia is the harshest kind of CP that affects legs, arms, face as well as the lower part of the body. People suffering from spastic quadriplegia is not able to walk and have other intellectual and developmental disabilities like speech impairment, vision, and hearing problems.

2. Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

People diagnosed with this type of CP are unable to control their voluntary movements. Their arm and leg movements vary from slow to rapid or jerky, making it somewhat problematic for them to sit or walk properly. If the tongue and face muscles are affected, it can lead to problems in swallowing, sucking, and talking. Muscle tone can also change from hour to hour during the day. Dyskinetic CP is further divided based on the muscle tones as;

• Athetoid 

This type is characterized by slow and curvy movements.

• Choreoathetoid 

It is characterized by involuntary and uncontrolled movements. 

• Dystonic 

It is characterized by irregular muscle tones. 

2. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy is not a common a type of cerebral palsy. It affects voluntary muscle movements, so people suffering from ataxic cerebral palsy do not have muscle coordination and face difficulties maintaining balance and posture. It is challenging for them to perform tasks that require rapid or controlled movements, such as writing and holding or reaching objects. 

4. Mixed Cerebral Palsy

People exhibiting symptoms of multiple cerebral palsy are diagnosed with mixed cerebral palsy. Children diagnosed with mixed cerebral palsy have damaged motor control centers in different parts of the brain and suffer from several symptoms of both spastic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy.  

Levels of cerebral palsy based on the degree of movement

According to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), cerebral palsy can be classified into different levels based on the degree of mobility that people with this condition have.

Level 1

At this level, people do not face any physical limitations and are able to walk without assistance.

Level 2

People can walk long distances but are unable to run or jump. However, they need specific assistive devices such as braces worn on arms and legs when learning to walk.

Level 3

People suffering from level 3 need support to sit, but no support for standing is required. They may need handheld assistive devices for indoor and outdoor movements, such as a walker, wheelchair, and more.

Level 4

Level 4 patients need assistive devices to walk and cannot move independently. They need proper support to sit as well.

Level 5

They need support to maintain head and neck position for posture and also require support to sit and stand.

Treatment of Cerebral Palsy

According to a report by the center for disease control and prevention, cerebral palsy affects every 1 in 345 children in the US, and there is still no cure for this condition. However, different therapies and treatment options can help patients manage their symptoms. Some commonly employed treatment options for cerebral palsy can include;

• Medication to help reduce muscle stiffness
• Occupational therapies to improve motor skills
• Surgeries to help maintain posture, improve spine curvature, and repair displaced joints

The Wrap Up

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects the movement of muscles. It has different causes and exhibits a variety of symptoms. Even with emotional and financial support, it can be challenging for families to raise kids with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy has various types based on the affected part of the brain.

As of now, there is no cure for cerebral palsy; various therapies and treatment options can help children live an independent life for decades. Hopefully, this article will help you understand the different types of cerebral palsy.