The term “cerebral palsy” covers a wide range of disabilities and impairments, most of them caused by brain damage during childbirth. There are four main types of cerebral palsy:
Spastic
People with spastic cerebral palsy (like Jaylan Norfleet from our previous post) have muscles that are too stiff. Spastic cerebral palsy is divided into different categories depending on the number of limbs affected:
- Spastic hemiplegia: one side of the body is affected
- Spastic diplegia: only affects the legs
- Spastic quadriplegia: affects all four limbs.
Spastic cerebral palsy often results in difficulty speaking, and cognitive functions may be normal. It is the most common form of cerebral palsy.
Ataxic
People with ataxic cerebral palsy have weakened muscle tone. This often results in difficulty walking, poor coordination, poor balance and challenges with fine motor skills like writing. This is the least common form of cerebral palsy.
Athetoid
People with athetoid cerebral palsy experience involuntary muscle movement and spasms. It can affect the limbs or facial muscles, causing difficulty with speech, eating and drooling. About 25 percent of people with cerebral palsy have athetoid cerebral palsy.
Mixed
People with mixed cerebral palsy may have symptoms from different types concurrently, such as the stiff muscles from spastic cerebral palsy and the involuntary movements from athetoid cerebral palsy. Some people have symptoms from all three types.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy; it is a lifelong disability that often requires constant medical care and physical therapy. If you have a family member with cerebral palsy and suspect that a doctor’s error led to his or her disability, talk to us. The call is free, and it could lead to much needed assistance for your loved one. Call today: 1-800-460-0606.
Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – cerebral palsy attorneys
