The National Institutes of Health states that spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form of the disorder, affecting around 80% of all diagnosed cases of cerebral palsy.
Spastic cerebral palsy causes children to have exaggerated reflexes (spasticity) and stiff, sometimes painful muscles. The majority of children will experience some degree of difficulty walking, depending on the type and extent of spasticity they have.
Spastic cerebral palsy includes three different subtypes, which include:
Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the second most common type of cerebral palsy after spastic forms. It is marked by abnormal movements in the arms, hands, and legs, making it difficult to control body movements and coordination.
Children with this form of cerebral palsy can exhibit slow, writhing-type movements or quick, jerking movements. In turn, walking and sitting down can be difficult.
Muscle tone varies and changes from tight to loose from day to day. Many have trouble controlling their face and tongue movements, resulting in difficulties with speech.
Children with ataxic cerebral palsy exhibit uncoordinated, jerky movements. This is the least common type of CP.
The movements are initiated by a voluntary effort, which becomes interrupted and uncontrolled, causing a lack of balance or coordination. These children may have difficulty walking and writing due to instability, effects on speech and swallowing, as well as eye movements.
Sometimes children develop a mix of the types of CP. A combination of dyskinetic and spastic cerebral palsy is the most common, but children can create a blend of any CP.
Symptoms depend on which types of cerebral palsy the child has. Mixed cerebral palsy can also result in additional associated medical problems and disorders.
Although the brain of toddlers/children with cerebral palsy remains injured, the injury does not get worse as they develop.
Depending on the level of severity of cerebral palsy, toddlers and children may experience difficulties with physical development such as:
If your child is not reaching these milestones or they display some of the signs of cerebral palsy, you may need to speak to your early childhood nurse, general practitioner or pediatrician.
Cerebral palsy is caused when the fetal or infant brain gets damaged or injured. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the brain damage, but there are several factors that may cause a child to develop the condition.
Common cerebral palsy causes include:
There’s currently no cure for cerebral palsy, but treatments are available to help people with the condition be as active and independent as possible.
Children with the condition are cared for by a team of professionals, who will work with you to come up with a care plan.
This plan will be continually reassessed as the person’s needs change. As children with cerebral palsy grow older, they may need different care and support.
Physiotherapy involves exercises to help maintain and hopefully improve movement.
It’s one of the most important treatments for cerebral palsy.
The main goals of physiotherapy are to:
A physiotherapist may also advise on walking aids (such as a walking frame or walking sticks) if needed, and arm or leg braces called orthoses to support the limbs.
Speech and language therapy can help people who have trouble communicating.
A speech and language therapist can provide exercises to help practice speech, or teach an alternative method of communication, such as sign language or using pictures.
The therapist may also be able to provide special equipment, such as a computer or device that generates speech.
Younger children may be given a device similar to a laptop that’s covered with symbols of everyday objects and activities. The child presses a combination of symbols to communicate.
Occupational therapy involves a therapist identifying problems that you or your child have carrying out everyday tasks.
They can advise you about the best way to do activities that involve complex movements, such as going to the toilet or getting dressed.
Occupational therapy can be very useful in boosting your child’s self-esteem and independence, especially as they get older.
An occupational therapist can advise adults with cerebral palsy on independent living. This can include advice on housing, getting a job, benefits, and technology like computers and gadgets that can make it easier to do things.