Cerebral palsy is described based on the parts of the body it affects and the way it affects movement.
By Body Part
Quadriplegia
This type affects all four limbs — both arms and both legs. A person’s torso, facial, and oral muscles are often affected, too.
Triplegia
This type affects three limbs — one arm and both legs. A person’s torso, facial, and oral muscles may be affected, too.
Diplegia
This type affects both legs. A person’s arms may be affected to a lesser extent.
Hemiplegia
This type affects one side of the body. People can either have right-side hemiplegia (affecting their right arm and leg), or left-side hemiplegia (affecting their left arm and leg). Approximately 40% of people with cerebral palsy have hemiplegia.
Monoplegia
This type affects only one limb.
By Brain Injury Location
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
- Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form, affecting up to 80% of people with CP.
- This type causes muscles to appear stiff and tight.
- This the result of damage to the motor cortex.
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
- Dyskinetic cerebral palsy — also known as athetoid cerebral palsy — occurs in 6% of people with CP.
- This type is characterized by involuntary movements.
- This is the result of damage to the basal ganglia.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
- Ataxic cerebral palsy occurs in 6% of people with CP.
- This type is characterized by shaky movements and affects a person’s balance and sense of positioning in space.
- This is the result of damage to the cerebellum.
Mixed Cerebral Palsy
- Mixed cerebral palsy means that someone’s brain is injured in more than one location and they will experience symptoms from multiple types of CP.