There are different types of cerebral palsy
There are many different types of cerebral palsy (CP), which vary in the parts of the body that are affected, the type of impairment and the severity of mobility limitations.
Quadriplegia affects all 4 limbs (arms and legs), diplegia affects 2 limbs (typically both legs) and hemiplegia, or unilateral CP affects one arm and one leg on the same side of the body.1
The severity of mobility limitations in cerebral palsy can differ greatly from one child to the next.
Each child with CP is unique, with varying abilities and disabilities.
Nonetheless, severity can be generally classified depending on the type
of motor function impairment and the part of the body that is mostly affected. Motor symptoms of cerebral palsy can be divided depending on the location of the injury to the brain.
The following illustration shows the different syndromes associated with spastic and athetoid cerebral palsy.
Motor syndromes of cerebral palsy
The severity of CP mobility limitations can also be categorized into 5 different levels,
according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).3
Each level clearly describes the child’s current physical abilities and whether equipment
or mobility aids are or will be needed in the future.
GMFCS E & R between 6th and 12th birthday: Descriptors and illustrations
GMFCS E & R between 12th and 18th birthday: Descriptors and illustrations
It is important to recognise the diversity in CP cases and to remember that
every child with CP is unique, requiring personalised, tailored care.
- Reddihough DS and Collins KJ. The epidemiology and causes of cerebral palsy. Aust J Physiother. 2003;49(1):7-12.
- Prasad AN and Prasad C. Genetic evaluation of the floppy infant. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2011;(16):99-108.
- Palisano R et al. Development and reliability of a system to classify gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1997;39(4):214-23.