A child’s movement patterns will dictate how their cerebral palsy is classified. The muscle tone and how their bodies move will be key in determining the type of cerebral palsy diagnosis they are given.
Stiff or tight muscles that make moving normally difficult are considered spastic. Spastic cerebral palsy is common among those who have the condition. There are three subcategories that are divided by the affected body parts. Doctors are looking for spasticity, ataxia, and dyskinesia when identifying the type of cerebral palsy the child has.
These types are listed below:
Spastic diplegia means that the child’s legs are the only affected body part. The spasticity, or tightness of muscles, causes the individual with spastic diplegia to walk with a “scissoring gait.”
Spastic hemiplegia refers to the individual’s body only being affected on one side. This could mean that the arm and leg on the left side are affected, usually with the most effect on the arm. Spastic hemiplegia can make many behaviors difficult for a person, including: writing, feeding themselves, playing and getting dressed.
Spastic quadriplegia is the most severe form of cerebral palsy affecting both arms, both legs, the trunk of the body as well as the face. Those with spastic quadriplegia will typically always require a wheelchair and may also have intellectual disabilities.