Cerebral palsy is not a single condition but a spectrum of movement disorders. Each type is defined by which area of the brain is damaged and how it affects muscle control, coordination, and posture. Understanding your child’s specific type is key to getting the right treatment.
Medically reviewed
Updated May 2026
~ min read
1 in 340
Children in the U.S. are affected by cerebral palsy
75%+
Of those with CP experience speech or language disorders
75–85%
Of CP cases are the spastic type, caused by motor cortex damage
The 5 types of cerebral palsy at a glance
As research into cerebral palsy advanced in the 19th century, doctors began differentiating the condition’s effects into separate classifications. Today we recognize five major types — each defined by which brain region is damaged and what movement pattern results.
The specific type of CP a child has significantly shapes their symptoms, diagnostic process, and treatment plan. Below is a quick overview of all five types, followed by a detailed look at each.
Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type, affecting approximately 70% to 80% of children diagnosed with CP. It is characterized by increased muscle tone — stiffness that makes movements awkward, jerky, or difficult. The severity and affected body parts vary, giving rise to three main subtypes: hemiplegia (one side), diplegia (both legs), and quadriplegia (all four limbs). A rarer fourth pattern, monoplegia, affects only one limb.
Symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy
Tight, stiff muscles making movements awkward or difficult
Muscle spasms and exaggerated reflexes
Trouble coordinating voluntary movements
Abnormal gait, including walking on toes or a scissored gait
Delayed motor milestones such as rolling over, sitting, or crawling
Area of brain affected
Spastic CP results from damage to the motor cortex or pyramidal tracts — areas responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements. This damage often occurs before or during birth, or shortly after. White matter injury (periventricular leukomalacia) typically causes spastic diplegia, while more widespread gray matter damage leads to spastic quadriplegia.
Causes of spastic cerebral palsy
Premature birth or low birth weight
Oxygen deprivation (birth asphyxia) during labor or delivery
Infections during pregnancy affecting fetal brain development
Genetic mutations or maternal medical conditions such as thyroid disorders
Medical negligence during labor — such as failing to perform a timely C-section or mismanaging fetal distress
Treatment of spastic cerebral palsy
While there is currently no cure for spastic CP, treatments significantly improve quality of life and independence:
Physical therapy to enhance mobility and reduce muscle stiffness
Medications such as muscle relaxants or Botox injections to reduce spasticity
Surgical interventions such as selective dorsal rhizotomy or tendon lengthening for severe cases
Prognosis
The outlook for children with spastic CP varies widely depending on severity and early treatment. With comprehensive therapy and strong support, many children achieve significant independence, attend school successfully, and participate actively in family and social life. Early intervention makes the most meaningful difference.
Spastic CP subtypes
Spastic hemiplegia — affects one side of the body (arm and leg). Often the mildest presentation; most children walk independently
Spastic diplegia — primarily affects both legs, with arms relatively spared. Scissor gait is common. Many walk with aids or independently
Spastic quadriplegia — affects all four limbs and often the trunk and face. The most severe subtype, often requiring full-time support and assistive technology
Spastic monoplegia — the rarest subtype, affecting only one limb. Symptoms are often subtle and noticed first as a fine-motor or gait asymmetry
Ataxic cerebral palsy is the rarest type, affecting about 5% to 10% of individuals diagnosed with CP. It primarily impacts balance, coordination, and depth perception. The name comes from the Greek word for “lack of order,” which captures how movements feel to those with this type — unsteady, unpredictable, and difficult to control with precision.
Symptoms of ataxic cerebral palsy
Unsteady gait with a wide base of support
Tremors or shaky movements, especially during fine motor tasks
Difficulty with precise movements such as writing or buttoning clothing
Problems with depth perception and visual coordination
Slurred or slow speech (ataxic dysarthria)
Area of brain affected
Ataxic CP stems from damage to the cerebellum — the brain region responsible for coordinating muscle movements, maintaining balance, and spatial awareness. The cerebellum acts as the body’s fine-tuning system; damage here disrupts the smooth execution of movement rather than the ability to move at all.
Causes of ataxic cerebral palsy
Genetic conditions or chromosomal abnormalities
Complications during birth leading to oxygen deprivation
Maternal infections during pregnancy
Exposure to toxins or certain medications during fetal development
Treatment of ataxic cerebral palsy
Physical therapy to improve coordination, balance, and gait stability
Adaptive equipment such as weighted utensils, braces, or walkers to support mobility
Prognosis
With consistent therapies and early interventions, many children with ataxic CP can significantly enhance their motor skills and independence. Because it is rarer, specialized therapy tailored specifically to ataxic symptoms — rather than the spasticity-focused approaches used for most CP — produces the best outcomes.
Diagnosing ataxic CP
Ataxic CP can be mistaken for other conditions affecting balance, and diagnosis is sometimes delayed. Learn more about the full cerebral palsy diagnosis process, including the tests used to confirm CP type.
Athetoid, or dyskinetic cerebral palsy, accounts for roughly 10–15% of all CP cases. It is characterized by the brain’s movement signals becoming distorted, causing unexpected and involuntary motions that make everyday tasks challenging. The basal ganglia act as traffic controllers for movement — damage here leads to mixed signals and the characteristic uncontrolled movements of this type.
Symptoms of athetoid / dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Slow, writhing motions (athetosis)
Sudden, jerky movements (dyskinesia)
Difficulty maintaining posture or holding a stable position
Trouble speaking clearly or swallowing due to poor oral motor control
Muscle tone that alternates unpredictably between stiffness and looseness
Facial grimacing or drooling
Area of brain affected
Athetoid CP primarily involves damage to the basal ganglia — a group of deep brain structures responsible for coordinating smooth, purposeful movements — and sometimes the thalamus, which relays sensory and motor signals. Together, these structures regulate the initiation and execution of voluntary movement; damage disrupts both.
Causes of athetoid / dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Birth complications such as prolonged labor or difficult delivery causing oxygen deprivation
Severe jaundice (kernicterus) left untreated after birth — one of the most preventable causes
Infections during pregnancy such as maternal rubella
Genetic conditions, though less commonly than in ataxic CP
Medications such as muscle relaxants to manage symptoms
Assistive devices including communication aids, braces, and wheelchairs to promote independence
Prognosis
While athetoid CP presents significant challenges, many children can lead fulfilling lives through targeted interventions and ongoing support. Prognosis depends heavily on early intervention and consistency in therapy. Although the condition itself doesn’t worsen over time, symptoms can evolve, and with appropriate care, significant progress in communication, mobility, and independence is achievable.
Kernicterus is preventable
Severe untreated jaundice causing kernicterus — and resulting dyskinetic CP — is one of the most preventable causes of cerebral palsy. If your child’s CP was linked to untreated jaundice, speak with a lawyer today.
Hypotonic cerebral palsy
Rare
Often misdiagnosed in infancy
Brain area: Cerebellum & brainstem
Unlike other cerebral palsy types characterized by stiffness or involuntary movements, children with hypotonic CP exhibit unusually loose, relaxed muscles. It is sometimes called “floppy baby syndrome” because the muscles lack the necessary tone to support effective movement. Hypotonic CP is often one of the more challenging types to diagnose in early infancy.
Symptoms of hypotonic cerebral palsy
Excessive limpness or floppiness, especially noticeable in infants when held
Poor head control and difficulty maintaining posture
Difficulty achieving developmental milestones like sitting, crawling, or walking
Increased joint flexibility beyond what’s typical for age
Challenges with swallowing, speech, and drooling due to low muscle strength
Shallow, labored breathing in some cases
Area of brain affected
Hypotonic CP typically results from damage or developmental anomalies in the cerebellum and sometimes the brainstem. The cerebellum plays a crucial role in regulating muscle tone, balance, and fine motor skills. Damage here leads directly to reduced muscle tone, making controlled movements more difficult.
Causes of hypotonic cerebral palsy
Brain injuries during or shortly after birth resulting from oxygen deprivation (hypoxia)
Infections during pregnancy, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
Genetic disorders affecting brain development
Complications associated with prematurity or low birth weight
Treatment of hypotonic cerebral palsy
Physical therapy to improve muscle strength, motor coordination, and posture
Occupational therapy to help children master daily activities and self-care tasks
Speech therapy if swallowing or speaking difficulties exist
Adaptive equipment like supportive braces or specialized seating to aid posture and movement
Prognosis
Although hypotonic CP presents unique challenges, children often make significant strides through early and consistent intervention. The degree of improvement varies widely depending on the extent of brain involvement and how early therapies begin. Some children with hypotonic CP transition to a mixed presentation as they develop, gaining elements of spasticity alongside low tone.
Among the five cerebral palsy types, mixed cerebral palsy is the most complex. It occurs when a child exhibits characteristics from more than one CP type — most commonly a blend of spastic and athetoid/dyskinetic symptoms — because damage has occurred across multiple brain regions. This combination presents its own challenges for both diagnosis and treatment.
Brain areas affected in mixed CP
Motor cortex — responsible for voluntary muscle movements; damage here causes spastic symptoms
Medications including muscle relaxants or Botox injections to manage spasticity or abnormal movements
Surgical options where appropriate to reduce spasticity or correct orthopedic issues
Prognosis
Although mixed cerebral palsy can present complex challenges — and typically carries the most difficult prognosis among CP types — consistent early interventions offer meaningful improvements. With dedicated support, therapy, and a proactive approach, children with mixed CP often make impressive strides toward independence, engagement, and quality of life.
Your family may be entitled to compensation
Many cerebral palsy cases — across all five types — result from preventable medical errors during delivery. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review with a birth injury lawyer.
Frequently asked questions about cerebral palsy types
There are five main types of cerebral palsy, each defined by unique movement characteristics. Spastic CP (70–80%) is the most common, characterized by stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes. Ataxic CP (5–10%) affects balance and coordination, leading to shaky movements. Athetoid/Dyskinetic CP (10–15%) is marked by involuntary and uncontrolled movements. Hypotonic CP causes low muscle tone and floppy muscles. Mixed CP combines symptoms from two or more types, usually spastic and dyskinetic.
The mildest form is often considered spastic hemiplegia, affecting muscle control primarily on one side of the body. Children with spastic hemiplegia usually experience difficulty with tasks involving coordination or fine motor skills on the affected side, yet often walk independently and engage fully in everyday activities. With targeted physical and occupational therapy, many lead relatively active, unaffected lives.
Spastic hemiplegia primarily affects one side of the body — such as the right arm and leg — often sparing the other side entirely. Movements can be stiff or clumsy, but the unaffected side usually remains fully functional. Spastic diplegia mainly impacts the lower limbs, causing stiffness in the legs, difficulty walking, and impaired balance, with arms usually less affected or unaffected. Both types are manageable with consistent therapy and supportive treatment.
While prognosis greatly depends on individual factors, children with mixed cerebral palsy typically face the most complex challenges because multiple brain areas are involved — leading to a combination of severe muscle stiffness, involuntary movements, coordination issues, and significant developmental delays. However, early intensive therapies and medical interventions can greatly improve outcomes for any type.
The rarest form of cerebral palsy is ataxic cerebral palsy, accounting for around 5–10% of all cases. Ataxic CP impacts the cerebellum — the brain’s balance and coordination center — leading to shaky, unsteady movements, balance difficulties, and depth perception challenges. Because it’s less common, specialized therapy tailored specifically to ataxic symptoms produces the best results.
The most severe form is often spastic quadriplegia, affecting all four limbs and often impacting speech, swallowing, and other essential functions. Children with spastic quadriplegia typically require extensive care including ongoing therapy, medication, assistive technology, and supportive services. Although challenges are significant, specialized care and early intervention can enhance quality of life, comfort, and participation in daily activities.
