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Athetoid Cerebral Palsy
Athetosis - Involuntary movements -
uncontrolled/unwanted movements. Spasticity refers to the inability of a
muscle to relax, while athetosis refers to an inability to control the
movement of a muscle.
People with athetoid cerebral palsy have many involuntary writhing
movements and are constantly in motion. They often have speech
difficulties. Athetoid cerebral palsy results from damage to the basal
ganglia in the midbrain. It was once common as a result of blood type
incompatibility, but is now rarely seen.
Athetoid cerebral palsy effects about 10% of children diagnosed with a
form of cerebral palsy.
Children with athetoid cerebral palsy have trouble holding themselves in
an upright, steady position for sitting or walking, and often show lots
of movements of their face, arms and upper body that they don't mean to
make (random, involuntary movements). These movements are usually big.
For some kids with athetoid CP, it takes a lot of work and concentration
to get their hand to a certain spot (like to scratch their nose or reach
for a cup). Because of their mixed tone and trouble keeping a position,
they may not be able to hold onto things (like a toothbrush or fork or
pencil).
Read More: Types of Cerebral
Palsy
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