{"h1":"Types and Levels of Cerebral Palsy","faq":[{"a":"Spastic cerebral palsy, where muscles are tight and stiff, is the most common form. It is further described by which parts of the body are affected — one side, both legs, or all four limbs.","q":"What is the most common type of cerebral palsy?"},{"a":"Levels describe function rather than the movement type. Clinicians use internationally recognised five-level scales for mobility, hand use and communication, where level I means the most independent function and level V means the most support is needed.","q":"What do the 'levels' of cerebral palsy mean?"},{"a":"Yes. Mixed cerebral palsy shows features of more than one type together — most commonly spastic and dyskinetic. A clinician describes the combination and the functional levels to guide support.","q":"Can a child have more than one type of cerebral palsy?"},{"a":"The type matters, but the functional level matters more for planning. Two children with the same type can function very differently, so therapy is matched to what your child can actually do today, reviewed over time.","q":"Does the type of cerebral palsy decide what therapy a child needs?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-cerebral-palsy","title":"What are the types or levels of Cerebral Palsy?","entity":{"key":"cerebral-palsy","kind":"condition","name":"Cerebral Palsy","slug":"cerebral-palsy"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent","value":"parent"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Motor","value":"motor"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Definition","value":"definition"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Book-Assessment","value":"book-assessment"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-cerebral-palsy-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How Cerebral Palsy Affects a Child's Daily Life"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-cerebral-palsy","title":"What is Cerebral Palsy?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-cerebral-palsy-diagnosed-in-a-child","title":"How is Cerebral Palsy diagnosed in a child?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-cerebral-palsy-considered-a-disability","title":"Is Cerebral Palsy considered a disability?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-common-is-cerebral-palsy-in-children","title":"How common is cerebral palsy in children?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-cerebral-palsy-affect-a-child-s-motor-development","title":"How Cerebral Palsy Affects a Child's Motor Development"}],"summary":"Cerebral palsy is described by movement type — spastic (stiff, most common), dyskinetic (involuntary movements), ataxic (balance and coordination), or mixed — and by functional level using internationally recognised five-level scales for mobility, hand use and communication, where level I is most independent and level V needs most support.","answer_md":"*When a doctor mentions cerebral palsy, the next question is always: which type — and what does that mean for my child?*\n\n## In short\nCerebral palsy (CP) is described in two helpful ways: by the **type of movement difference** (how muscles behave) and by **how much it affects everyday function**. The main movement types are **spastic** (stiff, tight muscles — the most common), **dyskinetic** (involuntary, fluctuating movements), **ataxic** (shaky balance and coordination), and **mixed** (a blend). Severity is described not by vague 'mild/severe' labels but by an internationally used functional scale, so support is matched to what your child can actually do today.\n\n## The types, explained simply\n**By movement pattern:**\n- **Spastic CP** — muscles are tight and stiff, making movement effortful. This is the most common form. It is further described by which parts of the body are affected: one side (hemiplegia), both legs mainly (diplegia), or all four limbs (quadriplegia).\n- **Dyskinetic CP** — movements are involuntary and changeable, sometimes slow and writhing, sometimes more abrupt. Posture and speech muscles can be involved.\n- **Ataxic CP** — balance, coordination and judging distances are the main challenge; movements can look shaky.\n- **Mixed CP** — features of more than one type together, most often spastic and dyskinetic.\n\n**By function (the 'levels'):** clinicians worldwide use structured five-level scales for what a child can do — for walking and mobility, for hand use, and for communication. Level I means the most independent function; level V means the most support is needed. These functional levels matter far more for planning than the word 'type' alone, because two children with the same type can function very differently.\n\n## When to seek a check\nCP is identified by a doctor, often early, through movement patterns, muscle tone and missed milestones. If your child shows persistent stiffness or floppiness, strong hand preference before 12 months, or delayed sitting and walking, raise it promptly — early therapy makes a real difference to mobility, communication and independence.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nA clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from a website or an app. From there your family gets a clear baseline and a practical plan. Learn more about [cerebral palsy](/cerebral-palsy), how we support movement and daily skills through [occupational therapy](/occupational-therapy), and [what the AbilityScore® is and how it is formed](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated).\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICD-11 classification of cerebral palsy; WHO ICF framework for describing functioning; CDC developmental guidance; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org); Indian Academy of Pediatrics.\n\n**Next step —** Want clarity on your child's type and functional level? [A Pinnacle clinician can establish it](/cerebral-palsy).\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-cerebral-palsy","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-cerebral-palsy","lang":"en","indexable":true},{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-cerebral-palsy-te","lang":"te","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"Types & Levels of Cerebral Palsy Explained","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Note in a few words how your child moves during daily play — reaching, sitting, holding a spoon. These everyday observations help a clinician describe both the type and the functional level accurately.","published_at":"2026-06-10T10:28:00.07239+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-cerebral-palsy","title":"What is Cerebral Palsy?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-cerebral-palsy-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How Cerebral Palsy Affects a Child's Daily Life","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-cerebral-palsy-considered-a-disability","title":"Is Cerebral Palsy considered a disability?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-cerebral-palsy-genetic-or-hereditary","title":"Is Cerebral Palsy Genetic or Hereditary?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-common-myths-about-cerebral-palsy","title":"What are common myths about Cerebral Palsy?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-cerebral-palsy-in-children","title":"What causes 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classification"},{"url":"https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/international-classification-of-functioning-disability-and-health","label":"WHO ICF — describing functioning"},{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early."},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org","label":"American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T10:28:00.07239+00:00","meta_description":"Cerebral palsy types — spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, mixed — plus functional levels for mobility, hand use and communication, explained warmly for parents.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}