Cerebral palsy affects approximately 1 in 345 children in the United States, making it the most common motor disability in childhood [Source: CDC, 2024]. But cerebral palsy isn’t a single condition—it encompasses several distinct types, each with unique characteristics, symptoms, and treatment approaches.
Understanding the different types of cerebral palsy is crucial for families navigating a diagnosis. Whether your child has been diagnosed with spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, or mixed cerebral palsy, knowing what each type means can help you access the right therapies, set realistic expectations, and—in cases involving medical negligence—understand your legal options in New York.
This comprehensive guide explains the four main types of cerebral palsy, their causes, symptoms, treatment options, and long-term prognosis. We’ll also explore how some cerebral palsy cases result from preventable birth injuries caused by medical errors.
💡 Key Takeaways
- Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type, affecting 77-80% of children with CP and characterized by stiff, tight muscles [Source: CDC, 2024]
- Dyskinetic cerebral palsy causes involuntary movements and affects 12-14% of cases, often resulting from basal ganglia damage [Source: NCBI StatPearls, 2024]
- Ataxic cerebral palsy is the rarest form (5-10% of cases), affecting balance and coordination due to cerebellum damage [Source: NICHD, 2024]
- Mixed cerebral palsy involves symptoms from multiple types due to damage in several brain regions
- Each type has different severity levels classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)
- Some cerebral palsy cases result from preventable medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery
Understanding Cerebral Palsy Classifications
Cerebral palsy is classified in several ways to help medical professionals, therapists, and families understand the specific challenges a child faces. The two primary classification systems are by movement type and by body parts affected.
🧠 By Movement Type
This classification describes how cerebral palsy affects movement and muscle control:
- Spastic CP: Stiff, tight muscles
- Dyskinetic CP: Involuntary movements
- Ataxic CP: Balance and coordination problems
- Mixed CP: Combination of types
👶 By Body Parts Affected
This classification describes where in the body cerebral palsy affects movement:
- Hemiplegia: One side of the body
- Diplegia: Primarily the legs
- Quadriplegia: All four limbs
- Monoplegia: One limb (rare)
- Triplegia: Three limbs (rare)
Spastic Cerebral Palsy: The Most Common Type
Spastic cerebral palsy is by far the most prevalent form, affecting 77-80% of all individuals with cerebral palsy [Source: CDC, 2024]. Children with spastic CP have increased muscle tone, causing their muscles to be stiff and their movements to appear jerky or awkward.
What Causes Spastic Cerebral Palsy?
Spastic CP results from damage to the motor cortex and pyramidal tracts in the brain—the areas responsible for controlling voluntary movement. Common causes include oxygen deprivation during labor, periventricular leukomalacia, intracranial hemorrhage, stroke, and infections during pregnancy.
Three Subtypes of Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Spastic Hemiplegia
Affected areas: One side of the body (arm usually more affected than leg)
Common symptoms:
- One arm bent and held against body
- Walking on toes on affected side
- Speech delays (sometimes)
Prognosis: Most children learn to walk; intelligence typically normal [Source: NICHD, 2024]
Spastic Diplegia
Affected areas: Primarily the legs (arms and face less affected)
Common symptoms:
- “Scissoring” gait (legs cross when walking)
- Tight hip and leg muscles
- Walking on tiptoes
Prognosis: Intelligence and language skills usually normal
Spastic Quadriplegia
Affected areas: All four limbs, trunk, and often the face
Common symptoms:
- Severe stiffness in arms and legs
- Weak or floppy neck
- Difficulty swallowing and speaking
- Seizures (common)
Prognosis: Most severe form; often unable to walk [Source: NICHD, 2024]
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: Involuntary Movements
Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (also called athetoid cerebral palsy) is the second most common type, affecting 12-14% of individuals with cerebral palsy [Source: NCBI StatPearls, 2024]. This type is characterized by involuntary, uncontrolled movements that can range from slow and writhing to rapid and jerky.
What Causes Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy?
Dyskinetic CP is caused by injury to the basal ganglia and thalamus—deep brain structures that help control and coordinate movement. Approximately 70% of patients with dyskinetic cerebral palsy show lesions in these brain regions on MRI scans [Source: NCBI StatPearls, 2024].
Common causes include profound hypoxic events during birth, kernicterus (severe jaundice causing bilirubin accumulation in the basal ganglia), intracranial hemorrhage, and cerebral infection during the neonatal period.
🔬 Medical Insight: Dyskinetic cerebral palsy has a stronger association with severe neonatal jaundice (kernicterus) than other CP types. Notably, dyskinetic CP occurs more frequently in term infants compared to spastic variants, which are more common in premature babies [Source: NCBI StatPearls, 2024].
Types of Involuntary Movements
🔄 Dystonia
Sustained, repetitive twisting movements; abnormal postures; sudden increase in muscle tone during movement or with emotions
🌊 Athetosis
Slow, continuous, writhing movements; particularly affects hands and feet; often described as “worm-like” motions
⚡ Chorea
Rapid, irregular, jerky movements; appears fidgety or restless; unpredictable timing and location
🔀 Choreoathetosis
Combination of chorea and athetosis; irregular rapid movements combined with slow writhing motions; most common presentation in dyskinetic CP
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Balance and Coordination Challenges
Ataxic cerebral palsy is the rarest form, accounting for only 5-10% of all cerebral palsy cases [Source: NICHD, 2024]. Children with ataxic CP primarily struggle with balance, coordination, and depth perception.
What Causes Ataxic Cerebral Palsy?
Ataxic cerebral palsy results from damage to the cerebellum—the region at the back of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, maintaining balance, and controlling muscle tone. When the cerebellum is damaged, the result is loss of coordination, impaired balance, and difficulty judging distance and depth.
Recognizing Symptoms
🚶 Movement and Gait Issues
- Unsteady, wide-based gait
- Appears to “stagger” when walking
- Frequent falls and difficulty with balance
- Delayed walking milestones
✋ Fine Motor Difficulties
- Intention tremor during goal-directed movements
- Difficulty with writing, buttoning
- Trouble with precision tasks
- Overshooting when reaching for objects
Mixed Cerebral Palsy: Combination of Types
Mixed cerebral palsy occurs when brain damage affects multiple regions, resulting in symptoms from two or more types of cerebral palsy. The most common combination is spastic-dyskinetic cerebral palsy.
| Brain Regions Damaged | Resulting Mixed Type | Common Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Motor cortex + Basal ganglia | Spastic-Dyskinetic | Stiff muscles combined with involuntary movements |
| Motor cortex + Cerebellum | Spastic-Ataxic | Muscle stiffness with balance problems |
The GMFCS Classification System
Medical professionals use the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) to describe severity levels. This system provides a standardized way to communicate a child’s motor function capabilities [Source: Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, 2024].
The Five GMFCS Levels
Level I: Walks Without Limitations
Children walk indoors and outdoors, climb stairs without assistance, and can run and jump. No assistive devices required.
Level II: Walks With Limitations
Children walk indoors and outdoors but have difficulty with uneven surfaces. May need handrail for stairs.
Level III: Walks Using Hand-Held Mobility Device
Children walk using walker, crutches, or canes on level surfaces. Use wheelchair for longer distances.
Birth Injuries and Medical Negligence
While not all cerebral palsy results from medical negligence, a significant percentage of cases involve preventable birth injuries. According to the CDC (2024), 85-90% of cerebral palsy cases are congenital. In some cases, medical errors or substandard care contribute to the brain damage causing cerebral palsy.
How Medical Negligence Can Cause Cerebral Palsy
⚠️ Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress
Not recognizing or responding to abnormal fetal heart rate patterns; delayed emergency cesarean section
⏱️ Delayed Emergency Response
Failure to perform timely C-section when complications arise; inadequate response to labor complications
🔧 Improper Use of Delivery Instruments
Excessive force with forceps or vacuum extractors causing head trauma
🦠 Failure to Treat Maternal Infections
Not diagnosing or treating infections during pregnancy that can damage fetal nervous system
Treatment Approaches by Type
While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, various treatments can significantly improve function and enhance quality of life.
Treatment for Spastic Cerebral Palsy
- Physical therapy: Stretching exercises, strength training, gait training
- Oral medications: Baclofen, diazepam, dantrolene to relax stiff muscles
- Botulinum toxin injections: Temporarily relaxes specific tight muscles
- Selective dorsal rhizotomy: Surgical procedure to permanently reduce spasticity
- Orthotics and braces: AFOs, leg braces, hand splints
Treatment for Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
- Physical and occupational therapy: Should begin as early as possible
- Speech therapy: Critical for addressing communication difficulties
- Medications for dystonia: Trihexyphenidyl, L-dopa, clonazepam [Source: NCBI, 2024]
- Deep brain stimulation: Emerging treatment showing promise
- Assistive technology: Communication devices, adapted computers
Legal Options in New York
If your child’s cerebral palsy resulted from preventable medical negligence, you may have legal options under New York medical malpractice law.
Why Legal Action Matters
Compensation from a successful medical malpractice claim can cover:
- Medical expenses: Surgeries, medications, doctor visits
- Therapy costs: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Assistive equipment: Wheelchairs, communication devices
- Special education: Private schools, tutoring
- Future care needs: Adult care, assisted living
- Lost wages: Parents’ income lost to caregiving
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common type of cerebral palsy?
Spastic cerebral palsy is by far the most common type, affecting 77-80% of all individuals with CP according to the CDC (2024). Within spastic CP, spastic diplegia is the most frequent subtype, particularly in children born prematurely.
Can cerebral palsy type change over time?
No, the type does not change because the brain damage is permanent and non-progressive. However, symptoms may evolve as a child grows. For example, involuntary movements in dyskinetic CP may not become apparent until age 2-3.
Which type has the best prognosis?
Generally, ataxic cerebral palsy and mild spastic hemiplegia have the most favorable prognoses. Most children with these types eventually learn to walk, have normal intelligence, and can live independently as adults.
Does cerebral palsy type affect intelligence?
The relationship varies significantly. Dyskinetic and ataxic CP often do not affect cognitive abilities. Spastic hemiplegia and diplegia also typically preserve intelligence. However, spastic quadriplegia is more commonly associated with intellectual disabilities.
How is cerebral palsy type diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves comprehensive evaluation by a developmental pediatrician or pediatric neurologist. The process includes detailed developmental history, physical examination, observation of movement patterns, brain imaging (MRI or CT), and GMFCS classification for severity.
What percentage of cerebral palsy results from birth injuries?
According to the CDC (2024), approximately 85-90% of cerebral palsy cases are congenital, occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. However, not all congenital CP results from medical negligence.
Can treatments cure cerebral palsy?
No, there is currently no cure because the brain damage is permanent. However, therapies, medications, and surgeries can significantly improve symptoms, enhance function, and greatly improve quality of life. Early intervention makes the biggest difference.
How do I know if medical negligence was involved?
Warning signs include evidence of fetal distress not addressed, delayed cesarean section despite complications, improper use of forceps, severe untreated jaundice, or maternal infections not treated. An experienced birth injury attorney can have medical experts review your records.
What should I do first after diagnosis?
Focus on your child’s immediate needs: arrange early intervention services, connect with a pediatric neurologist, learn about assistive technology, and connect with support groups. Preserve all medical records. Consider consulting a birth injury attorney for a free case evaluation.
Are New York birth injury laws different from other states?
Yes, New York has specific laws. New York follows modified comparative negligence, has caps on non-economic damages with exceptions for severe injuries, requires Certificate of Merit process, and extends statutes of limitations for children.
Conclusion
Understanding the specific type of cerebral palsy affecting your child—whether spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, or mixed—is essential for accessing appropriate therapies and planning for long-term needs. Each type presents unique challenges and requires tailored treatment approaches.
Connect With Qualified New York Birth Injury Attorneys
If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy following complications during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, you may have legal options. Our network of experienced New York birth injury attorneys can review your case at no cost.
Important Disclosure: This is not a law firm. We connect families with attorneys and receive compensation for referrals. Consultations are free; attorneys work on contingency. You’re under no obligation.
📚 Medical Sources and References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). “About Cerebral Palsy.”
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). (2024). “What are the types of cerebral palsy?”
- NCBI StatPearls. (2024). “Athetoid Cerebral Palsy.”
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation. (2024). “Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).”
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Medical reference articles on cerebral palsy types.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding your child’s specific condition. For legal questions about birth injury cases in New York, consult with a licensed attorney.
