Types of Cerebral Palsy

As you get to know that your child has cerebral palsy, you will definitely want to know more about the types of cerebral palsy your child can have. Please note, Cerebral Palsy is a complex disorder which has different kinds of presentations. A child with Cerebral Palsy can be

Spastic: when the child has stiffness or tightness in the limbs or body (Spasticity is presence of velocity dependent resistance to stretch, clonuses)

Dyskinetic: When the child has involuntary movements, tone fluctuation, chorea, etc

Ataxic: When the child has problems with balance and controlling body position

Hypotonic: When the child has low muscle tone / Floppiness

Mixed: When the child has combination of any two varieties, mostly combination of spastic and dyskinetic

According the body parts involvement, the child may have

Quadriplegia means both sides of body involved, both legs and arms significantly affected along the trunk

Triplegia means both sides of body involved, but one limb (usually arm) relatively spared

Diplegia means both sides of body involved, legs more than arms

Hemiplegia means one arm and leg on same side involved, arm usually more than leg

Monoplegia means one limb, usually arm, affected (a variant of Hemiplegia)

If you have a child with Cerebral Palsy, the child may have any one of these types

Spastic Cerebral Palsy: CP Spastic Quadriplegia, CP Spastic Triplegia, CP Spastic Diplegia, CP Spastic Hemiplegia)
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: CP Dystonia, CP Athetosis
Ataxic CP (CP Ataxia)
Mixed CP (Combination of Spastic + Dystonia / Ataxia)

When you know that your child has Cerebral Palsy, you must ask your consultant about the international classification based on the ability and Functional level of your child. Please note, level V is the lowest ability level and Level-I is the highest ability level

Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)
GMFCS V, GMFCS IV, GMFCS III, GMFCS II, GMFCS I

Manual Ability Classification System ( MACS)
MACS V, MACS IV, MACS III, MACS II, MACS I

Communication Function Classification System (CFCS)
CFCS V, CFCS IV, CFCS III, CFCS II, CFCS I

Vision Function Classification System (VFCS)
VFCS V, VFCS IV, VFCS III, VFCS II, VFCS I

 Eating and Drinking Classification System (EADCS)
EADCS V, EADCS IV, EADCS III, EADCS II, EADCS I


If you want to know what type of Cerebral Palsy and what level of functioning your child has, please contact us for help and technical support:
Mail ID: helpicd@gmail.com      Whatsapp No: +91-7838809241        Landline No: +91-11-41012124

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