Types of CP

There are a number of different types of cerebral palsy, which are grouped into categories:

Spastic cerebral palsy - this is the most common form and occurs where the muscles are tight and stiff making movement difficult.
Athetoid cerebral palsy - people with athetoid cerebral palsy often have very weak muscles and feel floppy when carried. Involves unpredictable movements.
Ataxic cerebral palsy - this is the least common form and involves shaky, unsteady movements and can also cause problems with balance.
Mixed types - many people do not have just one type but a mixture of several of the above types of cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy affects the body differently from one person to another. Certain words are used to describe the parts of the body that are affected:

Hemiplegia: affects the leg and arm on one side of the body

Diplegia: affects both legs and arms but legs are significantly more affected than the arms.

Quadriplegia: affects both arms and legs and can affect muscles in the trunk, mouth and face.

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