🧠 Types of Cerebral Palsy 4 main types

Cerebral palsy is classified by the type of movement disorder and the body parts affected. The main types are:

• Spastic CP – most common (about 80%). Muscle stiffness and jerky movements. Subtypes: spastic diplegia (legs), spastic hemiplegia (one side), spastic quadriplegia (all limbs).
• Dyskinetic CP – involuntary, uncontrolled movements (athetoid, choreoathetoid). Affects arms, hands, feet, and sometimes face/tongue.
• Ataxic CP – poor balance, coordination, and shaky movements. Often affects walking and fine motor skills.
• Mixed CP – a combination of two or more types (e.g., spastic + dyskinetic).

⚕️ Symptoms & Causes what to know

Causes: CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain, often before birth. Common causes include:

• Prenatal factors: maternal infections, oxygen deprivation, genetic conditions
• Perinatal: premature birth, low birth weight, birth asphyxia
• Postnatal: head injury, infections (meningitis), jaundice

Symptoms vary widely, but may include:

• Delayed milestones (sitting, crawling, walking)
• Abnormal muscle tone (too stiff or too floppy)
• Exaggerated reflexes, tremors, or involuntary movements
• Difficulty with fine motor tasks (grasping, writing)
• Speech and swallowing difficulties, vision/hearing issues

🔍 Signs of Cerebral Palsy early indicators

Signs can appear in infancy or early childhood. Parents and caregivers should watch for:

• In infants: Stiff or floppy posture, persistent fisting, poor head control, asymmetric movements, feeding difficulties.
• In toddlers: Not sitting by 9 months, not walking by 18 months, toe-walking, scissoring gait, excessive drooling.
• Associated challenges: Seizures, intellectual disability, behavioural issues, bladder/bowel problems.

Early recognition leads to earlier intervention — which makes a significant difference.

🩺 Diagnosis & Tests how it's confirmed

Diagnosis is made through a combination of developmental monitoring, physical exams, and imaging. Key steps include:

• Developmental screening: Regular check-ups to track milestones.
• Neurological examination: Assessing muscle tone, reflexes, and coordination.
• Brain imaging: MRI (preferred) or CT scan to detect brain abnormalities.
• Additional tests: EEG (if seizures suspected), genetic testing, metabolic screening.

Diagnosis is often made between 12 and 24 months, though more subtle cases may be diagnosed later.

🛠️ Management & Treatment comprehensive care

There is no cure for CP, but a multidisciplinary approach can dramatically improve function and quality of life. Our centre offers:

• Physiotherapy: To improve strength, balance, and mobility. Includes stretching, strengthening, and gait training.
• Occupational Therapy: Focus on daily living skills, fine motor, and adaptive equipment.
• Speech & Language Therapy: For communication, feeding, and swallowing.
• Medications: Muscle relaxants (baclofen, diazepam), botulinum toxin (Botox) for spasticity.
• Surgical options: Orthopaedic surgery (tendon lengthening), selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) for severe spasticity.
• Assistive technology: Wheelchairs, walkers, communication devices, and environmental controls.

Our approach: Family-centred, goal-oriented, and neuroplasticity-based — we help each child reach their full potential.