What is Ataxic Cerebral Palsy (Ataxia)?
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy (Ataxia) is the least common type of Cerebral Palsy. The meaning of Ataxia is loss of coordination of the muscles or lack of coordination. The movements of someone with ataxia may seem jerky or clumsy. Ataxia will cause an interruption of muscle control in the extremities (arms and legs), often resulting in a lack of balance or coordination difficulties.
Other symptoms people with Ataxia may experience are shaky movements, tremors and difficulties with their balance.
What causes Ataxia?
A person with ataxia has damage to the part of the brain called the cerebellum. The cerebellum is the balance centre of the brain. It sits at the lower part of the brain right next to the brain stem.
What parts of the body are affected?
Ataxia can affect any part of the body. It can affect a person´s arms and legs, hands, fingers, speech and eye movements. People with Ataxia may also have problems with swallowing as these muscles can also be affected.