Types of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy can affect movement in several different ways. Healthcare professionals may describe a person's cerebral palsy according to their predominant movement difficulties and the parts of their body affected.

Understanding these terms can make medical reports and conversations with healthcare professionals easier to follow.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Spastic cerebral palsy is characterised by increased muscle tone. Muscles can feel stiff or tight, particularly when they are moved quickly.

This stiffness can affect movement, posture and walking and may reduce the range of movement around joints.

Spasticity can affect different areas of the body and can vary considerably in severity.

Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy causes involuntary movements that can be difficult to control.

Muscle tone may fluctuate, and movements may be twisting, repetitive or sudden. These movements can affect different parts of the body, including the limbs and face.

For some people, dyskinetic cerebral palsy can also affect speech and eating.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy predominantly affects balance and coordination.

Someone with ataxia may have an unsteady walking pattern and find movements requiring accuracy more difficult.

Tasks involving fine motor control, such as writing or handling small objects, can also be affected.

Mixed Cerebral Palsy

Some people experience features associated with more than one movement type. This may be described as mixed cerebral palsy.

The exact combination and impact are individual to the person.

The NHS recognises spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic and mixed cerebral palsy as the four main types.

Which Parts of the Body Can Be Affected?

You may also encounter terminology describing the distribution of cerebral palsy.

Hemiplegia means one side of the body is affected.

Diplegia refers to two limbs being affected and commonly involves the legs more than the arms.

Monoplegia refers to one limb.

Quadriplegia describes involvement of all four limbs and usually the body.

These descriptions are different from the movement classifications above. For example, somebody may have spastic cerebral palsy that predominantly affects one side of their body.

Does the Type Determine Severity?

Not necessarily.

Two people with the same classification can have very different abilities and support requirements.

A diagnosis is therefore only part of understanding someone's cerebral palsy. Healthcare professionals will also consider mobility, communication, hand function, posture, pain, feeding and other individual needs.

Can Cerebral Palsy Change Type?

The original brain problem responsible for cerebral palsy does not progressively worsen, but someone's physical presentation can change as they grow and age.

Treatment and support should therefore focus on the person's current needs rather than simply their diagnostic label.

Our website offers further information on cerebral palsy symptoms, physiotherapy and living with cerebral palsy where you can find out more how the condition can affect everyday life.