The nature of the problem & three main forms

Inherited defects do no play a large part in cerebral palsy. The problem comes from the damage directly to the brain. There is no direct injury to the limbs. There are three main forms of cerebral palsy - spasticity, athetosis and ataxia. People who suffer from one of these three forms are commonly known as the general term "spastic". Below are short descriptions of how damage to one of three parts of the brain will cause different forms of cerebral palsy.

1. Cortex
The cortex or outer layer of the brain has to do with thought, movement and sensation. The child with spasticity has disordered control for movement, muscle weakness and often disturbance of growth and development. Damage to the cortex of the brain appears to be the cause of the true spastic condition. It may affect both limbs of one side of the body, both the lower limbs or all four limbs.

2. Basal ganglia
Situated below the cortex and in the middle of the brain, the basal ganglia and the cerebellum help to make movement well organised, graceful and natural. Athetosis results when the basal ganglia of the brain are affected. The main feature of the athetoid child is the frequent involuntary movements, which mask and interfere with the normal movements of the body.

3. Cerebellum
The cerebellum at the base of the brain governs functions of the body such as co-ordination of the movement, posture and balancing. It is linked to the brain stem, which connects the upper brain with the spinal cord. The spastic child with ataxia is caused by injury to the cerebellum and has an unsteady gait and difficulty in balancing.