Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
“Ataxia” is defined as the lack of order of coordination and individuals who suffer from ataxic cerebral palsy lack balance and coordination and have impaired depth perception. In most cases, impaired coordination in people with ataxic cerebral palsy is most apparent in their arms and legs. Ataxic cerebral palsy is actually the rarest form of cerebral palsy and only occurs in roughly 5% of of all CP cases.
Someone suffering from ataxic CP may appear very shaky and unstable when walking or engaging in other voluntary movements. In the legs ataxic CP often makes it difficult to walk independently without some sort of stabilizing mobility aid such as crutches. In the upper body, ataxic CP can interfere with any type of movement involving hand-eye-coordination, such as picking things up, etc.
Someone suffering from ataxic CP may appear very shaky and unstable when walking or engaging in other voluntary movements. In the legs ataxic CP often makes it difficult to walk independently without some sort of stabilizing mobility aid such as crutches. In the upper body, ataxic CP can interfere with any type of movement involving hand-eye-coordination, such as picking things up, etc.
Symptoms and Characteristics of Ataxic CP
Hypotonia, which is lack of muscle of tone, and lack of body coordination are the most distinctive features of ataxic cerebral palsy. Hypotonia is usually most noticeable during the first 6-12 months following birth and infants with hypotonia will often display “rag doll” symptoms where their bodies are abnormally floppy. Although muscle tone will never really reach normal levels, most children with ataxic cerebral palsy will develop some degree of increased muscle tone with age.
The absence of coordination and balance is usually the most noticeable symptom seen in toddlers and children with ataxic cerebral palsy often suffer from “intention tremors,” where the arms or hands shake and tremor when reaching or attempting to make a specific movement. In the legs and lower body, often affected individuals will walk with a wide gait where their feet are wider than their hips. In severe ataxic cases, independent walking may not be possible and a wheel chair or mobility aid may be necessary.
Ataxic cerebral palsy can additionally impair facial and oral control resulting in difficulties with chewing and swallowing. “Scanning,” a specific type of speech impairment caused by oral impairment from ataxic cerebral palsy is also common. When a person has this speech impairment, they usually sound extremely monotone and breathe heavily. Additionally, they usually have an abnormal rhythm to their speech with long pauses and sudden accelerations. Eye movement and control can also be impaired by ataxic cerebral palsy. A lot of times, individuals will be unable to quickly move their eyes to a new focal point and the focus will often undershoot or overshoot the object having to catch up.
The absence of coordination and balance is usually the most noticeable symptom seen in toddlers and children with ataxic cerebral palsy often suffer from “intention tremors,” where the arms or hands shake and tremor when reaching or attempting to make a specific movement. In the legs and lower body, often affected individuals will walk with a wide gait where their feet are wider than their hips. In severe ataxic cases, independent walking may not be possible and a wheel chair or mobility aid may be necessary.
Ataxic cerebral palsy can additionally impair facial and oral control resulting in difficulties with chewing and swallowing. “Scanning,” a specific type of speech impairment caused by oral impairment from ataxic cerebral palsy is also common. When a person has this speech impairment, they usually sound extremely monotone and breathe heavily. Additionally, they usually have an abnormal rhythm to their speech with long pauses and sudden accelerations. Eye movement and control can also be impaired by ataxic cerebral palsy. A lot of times, individuals will be unable to quickly move their eyes to a new focal point and the focus will often undershoot or overshoot the object having to catch up.
Causes of Ataxic CP
CEREBELLUM REGION
All types of cerebral palsy are ultimately caused by a glitch or defect in the brain that is the result of damage to cells in the brain during their developmental phase during or before infancy. We know that the various different types of cerebral palsy occur based on which area of the brain the defect forms in. Ataxic cerebral palsy results when damage to the brain during development causes the CP defect to form in the cerebellum region of the brain. The cerebellum (picture left) is a distinct area at the very back of the brain near the connections to the spinal column and nerves. The cerebellum contains a highly complex web of neurons that control and regulate balance, coordination during movements.
Like other types of cerebral palsy, the underlying cause of damage that triggers ataxic CP is oxygen deprivation. The oxygen deprivation most frequently happens during labor and delivery but it can also occur early on during pregnancy or in the first few weeks of life.
Like other types of cerebral palsy, the underlying cause of damage that triggers ataxic CP is oxygen deprivation. The oxygen deprivation most frequently happens during labor and delivery but it can also occur early on during pregnancy or in the first few weeks of life.
Treatment for Ataxic CP
Unfortunately, cerebral palsy is permanent. Once the damage has been done it is irreversible. There are, however, a number of treatment options available to help manage cerebral palsy symptoms. Of the four types of CP, ataxic cerebral palsy is the least treatable. Muscle stiffness/hypertonia, the primary symptom of spastic cerebral palsy, can often be effectively minimized by medication and sometimes surgery. In contrast, there are currently no effective or commonly used treatments for ataxia.
Therapy is really the only treatment available to help people who suffer from ataxic CP. Physical therapy can help to develop increased body control and sometimes can enable children to walk on their own. Additionally, fine motor skills can be enhanced in some cases with occupational therapy.
Therapy is really the only treatment available to help people who suffer from ataxic CP. Physical therapy can help to develop increased body control and sometimes can enable children to walk on their own. Additionally, fine motor skills can be enhanced in some cases with occupational therapy.