Types of Cerebral Palsy
There are different ways to classify cerebral palsy: according to tone and posture, body parts affected, or severity.
Cerebral palsy is characterized by hindering the transmission of messages sent by the brain to the muscles. Based on this fact, Eric Denhoff made the following classification according to the person's tone and posture:
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Spasticity means stiffness; people who have this type of cerebral palsy find difficulty in controlling some or all of their muscles, which tend to stretch and weaken, and which are often the ones that support their arms, legs, or head.
Spastic cerebral palsy normally occurs when the nerve cells in the outer layer of the brain or cortex do not function correctly. It occurs in a percentage of 60-70% of people with cerebral palsy.
Dyskinetic or Athetoid Cerebral Palsy
It is characterized, mainly, by slow, involuntary movements (which are aggravated by fatigue and emotions and are attenuated at rest, disappearing with sleep) and uncoordinated movements, which hinder voluntary activity.
It is common for people with this type of cerebral palsy to have muscles that change rapidly from loose to tense. Their arms and legs move in an uncontrolled manner, and it can be difficult to understand them because they have difficulty controlling their tongue, breathing, and vocal cords. It is caused by the central part of the brain not functioning properly.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
People with ataxic cerebral palsy have difficulty controlling balance due to a lesion in the cerebellum. Depending on the extent of the lesion, these people may be able to walk, although they will do so in an unstable manner.
Mixed Cerebral Palsy
Mixed cerebral palsy occurs when the brain has lesions in several of its structures, so that, in general, the characteristics of the different types will not manifest in their pure forms, but rather combinations will exist.
Topographic Classification (According to the affected body part)
We can also differentiate cerebral palsy according to the part of the body that is affected, thus having a classification by topographic criteria:
Hemiplegia
It occurs when the disability occurs only in the left or right half of the body.
Paraplegia
Affects mainly the lower limbs (both legs).
Tetraplegia
Both arms and both legs are affected (full involvement).
Diplegia
Affects both legs, with the arms not affected or only slightly affected.
Monoplegia
Only one limb of the body is affected (an arm or a leg).
Classification according to Severity
Finally, according to the severity with which cerebral palsy manifests and the level of support required:
Mild Cerebral Palsy
Occurs when the person is not limited in daily life activities, although they present some physical alteration.
Moderate Cerebral Palsy
The individual has difficulty performing daily activities and needs means of assistance or support.
Severe Cerebral Palsy
The person requires support and assistance for almost all daily activities.