Types of Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic, athetoid, and spastic cerebral palsy

Some of the more common forms of cerebral palsy include the following:

Ataxic cerebral palsy
Ataxic cerebral palsy is the least frequently diagnosed type of cerebral palsy. A child with this disorder has trouble with tying shoes, buttoning shirts, cutting with scissors, and using fine motor skills tasks. He or she might have trouble with balance and coordination and may suffer from intention tremors, a shaking that begins with a voluntary movement.

Athetoid dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Athetoid dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the second most frequently diagnosed type of cerebral palsy. A child with this disorder has normal intelligence but suffers with muscle problems. Muscle tone can be weak or tight, and the child may have trouble walking, sitting, or speaking clearly, and may drool.

Spastic cerebral palsy
Spastic cerebral palsy is the most commonly diagnosed type of cerebral palsy. A child with spastic CP has rigid and jerky muscles and has difficulty getting around.

There are three types of spastic cerebral palsy:

• Spastic diplegia—symptoms include tight leg and hip muscles and legs that cross at the knees making it difficult to walk
• Spastic hemiplegia—symptoms include stiffness on one side of the body, abnormal development of that side's arm and leg (perhaps requiring a leg brace), and possibility of the arm or hands affected more than legs
• Spastic quadriplegia—with this severest form, a child is more likely to have mental retardation, seizures, and affected arms and body, making it difficult to walk or talk

Causes of cerebral palsy

Many cases of cerebral palsy are preventable. Cerebral palsy may be due to oxygen deprivation, which is often caused by a compressed or twisted umbilical cord or when there are problems with the uterus or the placenta. It has been estimated that ten to 15 percent of cerebral palsy is caused from a recognized brain injury, such as infection (like meningitis), bleeding into the brain, and damage caused by lack of oxygen.

If your child suffers from cerebral palsy and you believe the reason for the disorder revolves around negligence in the birthing and labor process, please call us at 800-693-6903 or contact us online to arrange for a free consultation about your case. Let Greg Jones & Associates fight for you to obtain the monetary damages and justice that you and your family deserve.