When your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you may feel scared about what the future holds for your baby. This is a normal reaction, and one that can lead you to want to learn more about the various cerebral palsy forms. In general, this condition causes a weakness in the brain’s ability to communicate with the muscles in the body. The non-progressive condition comes in a variety of severity levels and has four different types. Each of these types can affect your child differently.

Here is a little more about each of the four types of this common condition.

1. Spastic – This is the most common type, making up 80% of all cases, and is characterized by stiff or jerky movements that are seen in many of the people who have it. With the spastic type, the muscles are permanently contracted, or stiffened, making it difficult to walk with a normal gait, or to pick up common items. The degree to which this affects children varies greatly depending on the severity of the weakness in the brain.

2. Athetoid – This is the second most common type and is characterized by varying degrees of muscle strength. In some areas of the body, muscle strength is too high, leaving the muscles contracted. In other areas, the strength is too low, leaving the affected area floppy or limp. Because of these varying degrees of strength, athetoid CP can cause involuntary movements in those affected by it. Usually, this happens in the face. It can also make reaching up to the face more difficult and holding common items hard, such as holding a fork to eat.

3. Ataxic – Ataxic CP occurs in fewer than 10% of all cases. In people with the ataxic type, tremors and low muscle strength are more prevalent. This can also make performing daily tasks such as writing, eating and typing more difficult. It can also affect a person’s ability to walk with a normal gait.

4. Mixed – In mixed cases, multiple types of this condition are prevalent, usually making the symptoms seem more severe. It is rare that a child will have mixed types, and is only seen in approximately 10% of cases.

To learn more about this condition, visit one of the many cerebral palsy resources available online, such as about-cerebral-palsy.org, or talk to your doctor to find communities in your area where you can get the help and support you need.