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Types of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is often classified based on the body part that is affected and the type of movement problem. Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type and means the primary problem is tightness in the muscles. It can involve primarily the legs (spastic diplegia), one side (spastic hemiplegia), or the whole body (spastic quadriplegia).

Cerebral = of the brain; Palsy = lack of muscle control

Spastic

Hemiplegia - Affects the arm and leg on the same side

Diplegia - Primarily affects both legs (in some there may be limited movement)

Triplegia - Three limbs affected

Quadriplegia - All four limbs affected

Mixed

Mixed cerebral palsy may have specific features from both spastic types and extrapyrmidal types of cerebral palsy.

Extrapyrmidal

Dystonic - Twisting movements, posture of limbs and trunks

Ataxic - Disturbed sense of balance, involuntary movements

Athetoid - Difficulty controlling and co-ordinating movement, involuntary movements

Extra-pyramidal cerebral palsy is less common and accounts for about 10% of all children with cerebral palsy. Children with extra-pyramidal cerebral palsy can have extra movements, which we call dystonia, athetosis or ataxia, depending on the type of movement problem. Some children have a combination of spastic and extra-pyramidal cerebral palsy, which is then called mixed cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy can also be “classified” based on how the child’s movement abilities affects their day-to-day life using the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS), which measures the child’s motor skills and divides cerebral palsy into five levels.

Children with Level I cerebral palsy typically have milder motor difficulties and can participate in most activities such as walking and running. However, they have differences in the quality of their movement including the speed, accuracy and smoothness of movements. Children with Level V have the most severe involvement. More information about the different levels in cerebral palsy can be found in Gross Motor Function Classification.

The criteria for determining at which level each child is working, and the predictions for future functioning can be discussed with your developmental pediatrician.

Back to Cerebral Palsy Guidebook

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