Types of Cerebral Palsy: Movement Type

Cerebral palsy (CP) is classified in three complementary ways: by movement type (what the muscles do), by body distribution (which limbs are affected), and by functional severity using standardised scales — GMFCS, MACS, and CFCS.

Understanding all three dimensions helps families, clinicians, and researchers describe any individual's CP comprehensively.

Learn about Body Parts Affected and Severity to see the full picture of how CP can impact movement, daily activities, and communication.

By Movement Type

The most widely used classification groups CP by how the brain injury affects muscle control and movement quality. Percentages are from the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register (ACPR) Report 2023.

Most Common - Spastic CP - 83.6%

The most common form, characterised by increased muscle tone (hypertonia) that makes muscles feel stiff and tight. Movements may appear jerky or exaggerated.

Sub-types by body distribution:

• Spastic quadriplegia (all four limbs) — most severe
• Spastic diplegia (primarily both legs)
• Spastic hemiplegia (one side of body)

Dyskinetic CP - 9.5%

Characterised by involuntary, uncontrolled movements of the arms, legs, face, and torso. Muscle tone fluctuates between too loose and too stiff.

Sub-types:

Dystonia
Involuntary muscle contractions that result in slow twisting or repetitive movements, or abnormal sustained postures, that are triggered by attempts to move.

Athetosis
Slow, continuous, involuntary, writhing movements that are present at rest and made worse by attempts to move.

Ataxic CP - 4.1%

Affects balance, coordination, and sense of positioning in space. Movements may appear unsteady or shaky. Caused by damage to the cerebellum.

• Shaky or tremor-like movements
• Unsteady, wide-based gait
• Poor depth perception
• Difficulty with fine motor tasks and speech

Hypotonic CP - 2.8%

Also called atonic CP. Characterised by low muscle tone (hypotonia) causing "floppy" muscles, reduced strength, and poor stability.

• Poor head and neck control
• Flexible joints and loose ligaments
• Difficulty sitting, standing, or walking independently
• May delay developmental milestones

Mixed Type - Mixed CP

When brain injury affects more than one area, a person may show features of two or more CP types. The most common combination is spastic-dyskinetic CP.

• Symptoms vary by which types are combined
• Can affect different body parts in different ways
• Management draws on strategies for each type present

References & Sources
Australian Cerebral Palsy Register (ACPR) Group (2023). Australian Cerebral Palsy Register Report 2023. Sydney: Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation. · Cans C, Dolk H, Platt MJ, et al. (2007). Recommendations from the SCPE collaborative group for defining and classifying cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 49(Suppl 1):9–24. · Cerebral Palsy Alliance Australia (2025). Types of cerebral palsy. cerebralpalsy.org.au/cerebral-palsy/types · Cerebral Palsy Alliance Australia (2025). Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). cerebralpalsy.org.au/cerebral-palsy/manual-ability-classification-system · Cerebral Palsy Alliance Australia (2025). Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). cerebralpalsy.org.au/cerebral-palsy/communication-function-classification-system · Palisano R, Rosenbaum P, Walter S, et al. (1997). Development and reliability of a system to classify gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 39:214–23. · Cerebral Palsy Guide (2026). Types of cerebral palsy. cerebralpalsyguide.com/cerebral-palsy/types