Cerebral palsy refers to a group of conditions that affect control of movement and posture. Because of damage to areas of the brain that control movement, an affected child cannot move his or her muscles normally. While symptoms range from mild to severe, the condition does not get worse as the child gets older. With treatment, most children can significantly improve their abilities.
Many children with cerebral palsy have other problems that require treatment. These include mental retardation, learning disabilities, seizures, vision, hearing and speech problems.

How common is Cerebral Palsy?

What are the different types of Cerebral Palsy?

• Spastic Cerebral Palsy - About 70 to 80 percent of affected individuals have spastic cerebral palsy, in which muscles are stiff, making movement difficult. When both legs are affected (spastic diplegia), a child may have difficulty walking because tight muscles in the hips and legs cause legs to turn inward and cross at the knees (called scissoring). In other cases, only one side of the body is affected (spastic hemiplegia), often with the arm more severely affected than the leg. Most severe is spastic quadriplegia, in which all four limbs and the trunk are affected, often along with the muscles controlling the mouth and tongue. Children with spastic quadriplegia often have mental retardation and other problems.
• Athetoid or Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy - About 10 to 20 percent of affected individuals have the athetoid form, which affects the entire body. It is characterized by fluctuations in muscle tone (varying from too tight to too loose) and sometimes is associated with uncontrolled movements (which can be slow and writhing or rapid and jerky). Children often have trouble learning to control their bodies well enough to sit and walk. Because muscles of the face and tongue can be affected, there can also be difficulties with sucking, swallowing and speech.
• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy - About 5 to 10 percent of affected individuals have the ataxic form, which affects balance and coordination. They may walk with an unsteady gait with feet far apart, and have difficulty with motions that require precise coordination, such as writing.

Read What Are The Causes of Cerebral Palsy

• What Are The Causes of Cerebral Palsy?
• How is Cerebral Palsy diagnosed?
• How is Cerebral Palsy treated and prevented?