Types of Cerebral Palsy: Body Parts Affected

Cerebral palsy (CP) is classified in three complementary ways: by movement type, by body distribution, and by functional severity.

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

Learn about Movement Types and Severity to understand how CP affects both which limbs are involved and how a person functions in everyday life.

By Body Part Affected

CP is also classified by which limbs and body regions are affected. -Plegia refers to paralysis or severe weakness of the affected region.

Monoplegia
A rare form where only a single limb — one arm or one leg — is affected. Typically the mildest distribution in terms of limb involvement.

Hemiplegia
One arm and one leg on the same side of the body are affected (unilateral CP). The arm is generally more affected than the leg. Some people can walk independently.

Diplegia
Both legs are affected, with the arms affected to a lesser extent (bilateral CP). Many people with diplegia can walk, often with difficulty or with mobility aids. Frequently associated with premature birth.

Triplegia
Three limbs are involved — for example, both legs and one arm (bilateral CP). An uncommon distribution that falls between hemiplegia and quadriplegia in severity.

Quadriplegia
All four limbs are affected (bilateral CP). The muscles of the trunk, face, and mouth are often also involved. This is the most severe distribution type and typically requires significant daily support.

Summary: All Three Dimensions Together

All three dimensions together give the full picture:
A complete description of an individual's CP should ideally include all three classification dimensions — for example, "spastic diplegia, GMFCS Level II, MACS Level II, CFCS Level I" tells us the movement type, body distribution, and functional severity across motor, manual, and communication domains. No single dimension alone captures the full complexity of the condition.

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