Cerebral Palsy comes in many different forms and can affect your child’s ability to move certain parts of their body.
Cerebral Palsy is a very serious birth injury that can have a lot of effects on children as a result. It is one that directly impacts the brain so there are several different ways that it can manifest. Though we hope that our children never have to deal with Cerebral Palsy, it is still good to be informed about it just in case. Here are just a few of the many types of Cerebral Palsy.
Athetoid
This is the most common form of the injury and affects the child physically rather than mentally. Intellectually, the child is typically fully in tact which makes this type so much harder to do with. They essentially feel trapped inside their own body because while their mind is working properly, they have no control over their bodies. They often lack control of their oral muscles, causing them to drool. Other muscles throughout their body can either be flabby or tight and can even contract involuntarily at times.
Diplegic
This type of Cerebral Palsy was the first type to ever be officially scientifically diagnosed. It is commonly referred to as spastic diplegia or Little’s Disease. With this form, the child has full control of their upper body. It is the muscles from the waist down that they are unable to manipulate. Often times their legs will cross at the knees on their own which makes it hard for them to walk.
Hypertonic
Hypertonic Cerebral Palsy is one that is typically diagnosed a lot sooner than the other forms. That is because the symptoms appear sooner in newborn babies. Their muscles will be really floppy, and they will have little control over them. Because of this, they won’t put up any resistance when parents try to move their limbs. They won’t sit up on their own or move many of their body parts. If they do sit up, they can’t hold their heads up very well.
Periventricular Leukomalacia
Differing from the ones mentioned above, this one actually impacts the intellectual abilities of a child. They may still have some trouble with muscle movements, but the most damage occurs with their mental development. They may have delayed development, visual and hearing impairments, and problems with coordination. Children with this type will often develop epilepsy, being more prone to seizures than any of the other forms.
Has Your Child Suffered From A Birth Injury? Contact Snyder Law Group Today
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