Alan T. Rasof explains the four major types of Cerebral Palsy and why it is important that we, as a society, understand the differences and affects of each.

1. T Y P E S O F C E R E B R A L PA L S Y
C R E A T E D B Y A L A N T. R A S O F

2. • Types of Cerebral Palsy are
classified by which areas of
the brain are affected and
therefore which movement
disorders occur.
• The following movement
disorders are the most
common to those affected
by CP: stiff muscles
(spasticity), uncontrollable
movements (dyskinesia),
and poor balance and
coordination (ataxia).

3. S PA S T I C C E R E B R A L PA L S Y
• The first type of CP, and
the most common, is
called spastic Cerebral
Palsy, which affects 80% of
those diagnosed with CP.

4. • According to the CDC, “People with spastic
CP have increased muscle tone. This means
their muscles are stiff and, as a result, their
movement can be awkward. Spastic CP is
usually described by what parts of the body
are affected,” (cdc.gov).

5. S PA S T I C
D I P L E G I A
• Spastic diplegia predominantly
occurs in the legs and most
who are diagnosed under this
category have normal
movement and range in their
arms.
• Many people who have spastic
diplegia have trouble walking
because their leg and hip
muscles are extremely tight;
and often times their will turn
inward and cross at the knees.

6. S PA S T I C H E M I P L E G I A
• Spastic hemiplegia, on the other hand, affects only one side of
a person’s body and the arm tends to be affected more
heavily than the leg.

7. S PA S T I C
Q U A D R I P L E G I A
• Spastic quadriplegia affects
all four limbs, the trunk, and
the face of a person - it is
the most severe form of
spastic SP.
• Most people who have
spastic quadriplegia cannot
walk at all and have
developmental disabilities,
difficulty with their vision,
and seizures.

9. D Y S K I N E T I C
C E R E B R A L PA L S Y
• Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy is
the second type of CP.
• Those who have dyskinetic
CP have difficulty
controlling movement of
their legs, feet, arms, and
hands, which results in
having trouble walking and
sitting down.

10. • According to the CDC, “Sometimes the
face and tongue are affected and the
person has a hard time sucking, swallowing,
and talking. A person with dyskinetic CP
has muscle tone that can change (varying
from too tight to too loose),” (cdc.gov).

11. ATA X I C C E R E B R A L PA L S Y
• The third type of
Cerebral Palsy is ataxic,
which correlates with
balance and
coordination.
• Those diagnosed with
this type of CP usually
have a hard time with
quick movements, or
movements that require
stability.

12. M I X E D
C E R E B R A L
PA L S Y
• Last, mixed Cerebral
Palsy is the fourth
type of CP, and
happens to those
who are affected by
more than one type
of CP.

13. • Most commonly, spastic-
dyskinetic CP occurs as a
mix, resulting in an
individual’s increased
muscle tone and difficulty
controlling movement in
their hands, arms, feet,
and legs.

14. • It is important that we are
all aware of these different
types of Cerebral Palsy so
that research can be
conducted to help ease
pain and aid in controlling
muscle movements on an
individual scale.
• Each human being is
affected differently by their
CP, and the more we can
understand as a society,
the more help we can
offer.