Cerebral Palsy (CP) - The words Cerebral Palsy are used to describe a medical condition that affects control of the muscles. Cerebral means anything in the head and palsy refers to anything wrong with control of the muscles or joints in the body. If someone has cerebral palsy it means that because of an injury to their brain (that's the cerebral part) they are not able to use some of the muscles in their body in the normal way (that's the palsy part). Depending on where their brain injury is and how big it is, their muscle tone may be too tight, too loose, or a combination of too tight and loose. Muscle tone is what lets us keep our bodies in a certain position, like sitting with our heads up to look at the teacher in class. Changes in muscle tone let us move. Children who have cerebral palsy, or CP, may not be able to walk, talk, eat or play in the same ways as most other kids. For example, in order to touch your nose, the tone in muscles used to make that movement must change in a way that is just right. Muscles must make an even change to tighten one while loosening the other. Children with CP are not able to change their muscle tone in a smooth and even way, so their movements may be jerky or wobbly.

It is important to know that CP is not a disease or illness. It isn't contagious and it doesn't get worse, but it is not something you "grow out of." Children who have CP will have it all their lives.


Spastic Cerebral Palsy - If muscle tone is too high or too tight, the term spastic is used to describe the type of cerebral palsy. Children with spastic CP have stiff and jerky movements because their muscles are too tight. They often have a hard time moving from one position to another or letting go of something in their hand. This is the most common type of CP. About half of all people with CP have spastic CP.


Ataxic Cerebral Palsy - A low muscle tone and poor coordination of movements is described as ataxic CP. This rare form affects the sense of balance and depth perception. Children who have ataxic CP look very unsteady and shaky. They have a lot of unsteadiness, like a tremor you might see in a very old person. It is difficult for them to write, turn a page or cut with scissors. They also often have very poor balance and may be very unsteady when they walk. Because of the shaky movements and problems coordinating their muscles, children with ataxic CP may take longer to write or to complete art projects.


Athetoid (dyskinetic) Cerebral Palsy - The term athetoid is used to describe the type of cerebral palsy when muscle tone is mixed, sometimes too high and sometimes too low. Children with athetoid CP have trouble holding themselves in an upright, steady position for sitting or walking. They often show many movements of their face, arms and upper body that they don't mean to. Their movements are random and involuntary. These movements are usually big.

These abnormal movements usually affect the hands, feet, arms, or legs and, in some cases, the muscles of the face and tongue, causing grimacing or drooling. For some children with athetoid CP, it takes a lot of work and concentration to get their hand to a certain spot. It is difficult for them to reach for a cup or to scratch their noses. Because of their mixed tone and trouble keeping a position, they may not be able to hold onto things like a toothbrush or pencil. About twenty percent of all people with CP have athetoid CP.

The movements often increase during periods of emotional stress and disappear during sleep. Patients may also have problems coordinating the muscle movements needed for speech, a condition known as dysarthria. Athetoid cerebral palsy affects about 10 to 20 percent of patients.


Mixed Cerebral Palsy - When muscle tone is too low in some muscles and too high in other muscles, the type of cerebral palsy is called mixed. About one-fourth of all people with CP have mixed CP.


Quadriplegia - When a child shows CP in all four of their limbs--both arms and both legs, it is called quadriplegia. Quad means four. Usually children with quadriplegia have trouble moving all of the parts of their bodies, their face, trunk and their arms and legs. They may need a wheelchair to get around. Because they have problems controlling the muscles in their face and upper body, they also have trouble talking and eating.


Hemiplegia - Hemiplegia means that the CP affects one side of the child's body. Hemi means half, so the right arm and leg or the left arm and leg are affected. The other side of the child's body functions normally. Many children with hemiplegia are able to walk and run, although they may look a little awkward or have a limp.


Diplegia - Some children only have CP in their legs; or more severely in their legs than in their arms. This is called diplegia. Di means two, so in diplegia only the two lower limbs are affected. For children with diplegia it is difficult to use their legs. Walking and running are very challenging for them. Because their upper bodies are usually not affected, they have good ability to hold themselves upright and good use of their arms and hands.

Sometimes children only have CP in their arms but not their legs. However, this is very, very rare.


Brachial Plexus Palsy - The nerves of the baby's arm run from the neck, under the shoulder, through the armpit and into the arm. These nerves can be torn during delivery. As a result the child is left with a permanent disability in movement and growth of her arm, hand or shoulder. This is a Brachial Plexus injury (also known as "Erb's Palsy") and is often, but not always, caused by a Doctor's mistake.


Other Birth-Related Injuries - During childbirth, instruments which are used to assist the delivery of the baby can cause skull fractures, bleeding in your baby's brain, spinal cord or brain injuries, or facial scarring. Additionally, certain drugs administered by the doctor or nurse during labor can cause injuries to the mother if not properly monitored and controlled (for example, rupture of the uterus; and abruption or tearing of the placenta).