Ataxic cerebral palsy is a rare form of cerebral palsy affecting around 5% to 10% of all people diagnosed. It gets its name from the word ataxia, which means lack of coordination and without order.

1. ATAXIC CEREBRAL PALSY

2. CEREBRAL PALSY
neurological disorder
that affects a child’s
movement, motor
skills, and muscle tone
mostly caused by brain
damage that develops
during pregnancy or
shortly after birth

3. ATAXIC CEREBRAL PALSY
rare form of
cerebral palsy
affects around
5% to 10% of all
people
diagnosed
marked by poor
balance,
incoordination,
tremors, and
shaky
movements
“ataxia” means
lack of
coordination and
without order

4. DIAGNOSIS
OF ATAXIC CP
• In most cases, ataxic cerebral palsy isn’t
diagnosed until the child begins to
show developmental delays.
 when children begin display awkward
movements, slow eye movement when
following objects, and/or difficulties grasping
things, parents generally seek medical advice
which provides the diagnosis
• isn’t usually diagnosed until around 3 to 18
months of age, after doctors perform a series
of tests.
 because doctors are hesitant to diagnose it
solely on the basis of motor skills of a child
• It’s important to make sure your baby gets
regular medical checkups, especially during
the infancy and toddler stage, as physicians
can start treatment early on developmental
issues.

5. CAUSES OF
ATAXIC CP
• caused by the balance center of the
brain, the cerebellum, becoming
damaged
 responsible for fine tuning
movement commands for the body
 when damaged, results in poor
coordination and lack of balance

6. CAUSES OF
ATAXIC CP
• or abnormal brain development which
results from:
 maternal infections and exposure to
toxins
 lesions in the brain’s white matter
 infant brain bleeding while still in
utero, caused by fetal stroke
 maternal high blood pressure —
greater chance of stroke in infant
 oxygen deprivation, before or during
a difficult childbirth in which the baby
isn’t pulled out on time.
 medical mistakes — not scheduling and
carrying out an emergency C-section,
resulting in Oxygen Loss
 uterine ruptures, which can lead to
oxygen deprivation
 umbilical cord damage

7. RISK FACTORS OF ATAXIC CP
Mothers who haven’t been
vaccinated or had poor
maternal health are at higher
risk for having children with
ataxic cerebral palsy.
Children who have been victims
of abuse also have a higher
chance of developing
ataxic cerebral palsy because of a
possible brain injury.

8. SYMPTOMS
OF ATAXIC CP
imprecise
motor skills
trouble
walking and
balancing
tremors or
shakiness
(worsens the
nearer people
come to the
object they are
reaching for)

9. SYMPTOMS
OF ATAXIC CP
unsteady
movements
(jerky, clumsy)
difficulty in
bringing
hands
together
difficulties
making
quick
movements
and precise
finger
movements
slow eye
movement
s
walking with
a wide gait
that puts
their feet out
further than
their hips
malnutritio
n due to
chewing
and
swallowing
issues
in some
cases,
hearing
and vision
problems

10. MUSCLE AND FEEDING PROBLEMS WITH
ATAXIC CP
In many cases, there is the
possibility that a child with ataxic
cerebral palsy will not get
enough muscle use, which can
lead to rigid muscles and
atrophy.
Malnutrition can also be an
issue with children who have
ataxic cerebral due to chewing
and swallowing issues.

11. TREATMENTS
FOR ATAXIC
CP
• Physical therapy will help your child not
only develop better reflexes, but also
learn better balance and walking
techniques, and stop muscles from
shrinking and becoming rigid.
 is almost always recommended as part of an
overall treatment plan
• Conducive therapy helps children
improve both fine and motor skills
through various exercises.
 few examples of exercises include age-
appropriate songs and games that make the
therapy interesting and fun for children
• Certain kinds of medication may also be
prescribed to children with ataxic cerebral
palsy, which can help them control
tremors.
 Primidone, an anticonvulsant medication, is
often prescribed

12. EARLY
INTERVENTION
the
sooner
your
child
starts a
treatme
nt plan,
the
better
the
chances
he/she
will
have a
positive
outcom
e
without early intervention and
treatment, a child with ataxic cerebral
palsy runs the risk of falling behind in
both physical and emotional growth
regular medical checkups should be
made, especially from birth until around
three years of age, when the symptoms
of ataxic cerebral begin to develop the
most