| It has been estimated that about 10 percent of children | | | | walking. People suffering from athetoid cerebral palsy |
| with cerebral palsy have athetoid cerebral palsy. This | | | | have so many involuntary writhing movements that |
| type of cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the | | | | they are constantly in motion. They also have |
| cerebellum or basal ganglia. It is these areas of the | | | | difficulties with speech as lack of muscle control |
| brain that are responsible for processing the signals | | | | makes articulation of words difficult. |
| that enable smooth, coordinated movements as well | | | | Athetoid cerebral palsy results from damage caused |
| as for maintaining body posture. | | | | to the basal ganglia in the midbrain. |
| Damage to the cerebellum or basal ganglia may cause | | | | Athetoid cerebral palsy affects about 10% of children |
| a child to develop involuntary, purposeless movements. | | | | who are diagnosed with a form of cerebral palsy. |
| Such movements are very noticeable in the face, | | | | Despite all the advances made by science, cerebral |
| arms, and trunk. These unintentional movements | | | | palsy is not a curable condition. However, hospitals |
| interfere with overall efficiency by impacting speaking, | | | | provide coordinated, comprehensive multidisciplinary |
| feeding, reaching, grasping, and other skills requiring | | | | medical assistance. This is because children diagnosed |
| coordinated movements. Actions like involuntary | | | | with cerebral palsy need special health care on a |
| grimacing and tongue thrusting, generally lead to | | | | regular basis to prevent or treat complications. |
| problems with swallowing, drooling and slurred speech. | | | | Preventive treatment will go a long way in maximizing |
| It has been observed that these movements often | | | | their independence. Specialized physiotherapy can help |
| increase during periods of emotional stress and totally | | | | train patients to perform simple tasks by themselves. |
| disappear during sleep. Children with athetoid cerebral | | | | Treatment procedures of any kind for cerebral palsy |
| palsy often have low muscle tone and experience a | | | | are aimed at lessening discomforts and improving the |
| lot of difficulty maintaining posture for sitting and | | | | quality of life of the patient. |