Ataxia in Cerebral Palsy

What is Ataxic Cerebral Palsy?

People with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy have problems with balance and depth perception. They might be unsteady when they walk. They might have a hard time with quick movements or movements that need a lot of control, like writing. They might have a hard time controlling their hands or arms when they reach for something. People with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy can have increased or decreased muscle tone. Five to ten percent of people with Cerebral Palsy have ataxia.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy is a movement disorder characterized by a lack of coordination and balance. It comes from the Greek word a which means “lack of” plus taxis meaning “order,” or incoordination when put together.

The word ataxia means without coordination. People with ataxia have problems with coordination because parts of the nervous system that control movement and balance are affected. Ataxia may affect the fingers, hands, arms, legs, body, speech, and eye movements.

How common is Ataxic Cerebral Palsy?

Ataxic CP is a rare form of Cerebral Palsy and therefore, the least diagnosed type of Cerebral Palsy.

What causes Ataxic CP?

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the cerebellum. The cerebellum is located at the base of the brain and is responsible for integrating sensory information, motor control, balance and coordination.

What are the symptoms and difficulties associated with Ataxic CP?

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy is characterized by low muscle tone (hypotonia) and by problems integrating sensory information. These factors cause symptoms such as intention tremor (a tremor which worsens as a person attempts a deliberate movement) and problems with balance and coordination. Patients with ataxic CP are unsteady and shaky in appearance and walk with an unsteady, wide-based gait. They also have problems with fine motor skills like writing and buttoning clothes.

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