Understanding different types of cerebral palsy in kids
When a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, one of the first questions parents have is: What type is it?
The answer matters—because the type of cerebral palsy can affect everything from movement and muscle tone to speech and posture.
In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of cerebral palsy to help you understand your child’s diagnosis, treatment, and what to expect in daily life.
Understanding cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition caused by damage to the developing brain—often before, during, or shortly after birth. This damage affects the part of the brain that controls muscle movement, leading to varying degrees of physical disability.
The condition is non-progressive, meaning it doesn’t worsen over time. However, symptoms can change as a child grows, which is why early diagnosis and continuous care are essential.
Different types of cerebral palsy and their symptoms
Cerebral palsy is categorized based on the type of movement disorder a child experiences. These disorders result from damage to different parts of the brain and can differ in terms of severity and symptoms.
The main types of cerebral palsy include:
1. Spastic cerebral palsy
The most common type, accounting for about 70–80% of cases. It is marked by increased muscle tone (spasticity), which can cause stiff and tight muscles that make movement difficult.
Common symptoms include:
- Muscle stiffness or tightness
- Difficulty with movement, especially in arms and legs
- Abnormal walking patterns
- Trouble with coordination and balance
- Delayed motor milestones (sitting, crawling, walking)
2. Athetoid cerebral palsy
Children with athetoid cerebral palsy exhibit involuntary and uncontrollable movements.
These can be slow and writhing or sudden and jerky, often due to damage in the basal ganglia or cerebellum—areas responsible for motor control and coordination.
Symptoms may include:
- Fluctuating muscle tone (shifting from tight to floppy)
- Involuntary facial expressions or limb movements
- Trouble sitting, walking, or maintaining posture
- Challenges with speaking, chewing, or swallowing
3. Ataxic cerebral palsy
This is the rarest type and results from damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination.
Children with this type of cerebral palsy typically struggle with precise movements and maintaining balance.
Symptoms include:
- Shaky or unsteady movements
- Difficulty with tasks requiring fine motor skills (writing, buttoning clothes)
- Poor balance, especially when walking
- Depth perception challenges
- Tremors during voluntary movements
4. Hypotonic cerebral palsy
In this less common type, children experience low muscle tone, causing the body to appear floppy or overly relaxed. Infants with hypotonic cerebral palsy may struggle with head control, sitting up, or developing motor skills.
Muscle weakness and delayed reflexes are also common. As the child grows, hypotonia can evolve into another type of cerebral palsy.
Symptoms may include:
- Floppiness or limp limbs (especially in infants)
- Poor head and neck control
- Delayed developmental milestones
- Difficulty sitting up, crawling, or walking
- Weak reflexes and muscle strength
- Open mouth posture or drooling
5. Mixed-type cerebral palsy
Some children exhibit a combination of symptoms from different types of cerebral palsy, known as mixed cerebral palsy.
The most frequently seen combination is spastic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy.
Symptoms can include:
- Muscle stiffness in some limbs and involuntary movements in others
- Complex movement patterns
- Challenges with mobility, posture, and coordination
- Speech and feeding difficulties
Different types of cerebral palsy by affected body parts
In addition to identifying cerebral palsy based on movement type, it can also be categorized by the specific areas of the body it impacts.
Since cerebral palsy is a group of movement disorders caused by brain injury, the extent and location of the damage determine which parts of the body are affected.
- Monoplegia: This rare form of cerebral palsy affects only one limb—either an arm or a leg. It usually suggests a more localized brain injury.
- Diplegia: In diplegia, two limbs are affected, most commonly both legs. While the upper body may have mild movement issues, the lower limbs are primarily impacted. Diplegia is often linked to premature birth and related complications.
- Hemiplegia: Hemiplegia affects one entire side of the body, typically with the arm being more impaired than the leg. It may present with a stiff, bent elbow or wrist. This type of cerebral palsy is often associated with brain bleeding before birth.
- Triplegia: In triplegia, three limbs are involved—usually both legs and one arm. This pattern indicates a more complex distribution of motor impairment.
- Quadriplegia: Quadriplegia impacts all four limbs, with the legs typically more affected than the arms. Muscle tone in the trunk may also be compromised, and in some cases, facial muscles are involved, affecting speech, eating, and swallowing.
- Double hemiplegia: This form affects all four limbs but is more severe on one side than the other. It may resemble quadriplegia but with noticeable asymmetry.
Visit Kids Neuro Clinic for cerebral palsy management in Dubai
At Kids Neuro Clinic, one of the leading pediatric neuroscience centers in the UAE, we are dedicated to delivering compassionate, specialized care for children with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions.
Our expert team—including pediatric neurologists, developmental specialists, and child psychologists—works closely with families to design personalized treatment plans that support your child’s growth, development, and overall well-being.