‘Ataxia’ refers to a sense of disorder or a lack of coordination. Ataxic cerebral palsy is, therefore, the name given to a type of cerebral palsy that is characterized by issues with balance and depth perception. The condition is brought about by injuries affecting the cerebellum (Latin for ‘little brain’), which is a brain structure located in the ‘hindbrain’ section in the lower rear part of the skull. These injuries could be linked to medical negligence during pregnancy, during birth, or after birth – see cerebral palsy lawyer Atlanta if you would like more information. Although this structure accounts for only around 10% of the volume of the brain, more than half of the brain’s neurons are found here – this means that damage to the cerebellum can have far reaching implications with regard to coordination and motor skills. This is the least common type of all cerebral palsies.

Spotting the signs of ataxic cerebral palsy

One of the early warnings that could be a sign of ataxic cerebral palsy is a wide gait when walking (i.e. feet are spread far apart). This type of gait can help children with ataxic cerebral palsy to find balance when upright, as the condition is known to affect the ability to steady oneself. An inability to judge perception when reaching for toys and poor limb coordination are also early indicators of this type of cerebral palsy.

In terms of speech, communication skills that would otherwise appear to be developing at a regular rate may be studded with periods of unexplained erratic speech patterns that seem unprompted and seem to have no bearing on the surroundings. This means that diagnosis of the condition becomes more prevalent around the age of four years old when the motor skills required for walking and talking are more readily accessible (diagnosis before the age of 12 months is rare, for example).

Coping with ataxic cerebral palsy

Due to the erratic and jerking nature of bodily movements associated with ataxic cerebral palsy (and with all types of cerebral palsy), treatments are aimed at reducing “clumsiness” and improving the child’s ability to perform deliberate tasks.

Treatments such as resistance and strength training, occupational therapies, medications (including muscle relaxants), speech therapy, and other physical therapies are known to bring about some change in the child’s ability to interact with the world (stem cell transplants is also an emerging area of treatment).

The pay-off of therapies includes:

• Increased mobility
• Increased balanced
• Improvement in grip and the ability to manipulate objects 
• Improvement in behavioral patterns
• A noted reduction in uncontrolled movements and tremors