Athetosis

Athetosis leads to difficulty in controlling and co-ordinating movement. Athetoid is the word used for the uncontrolled movements that occur in this type of cerebral palsy.

It results from damage to the basal ganglia, which is part of the midbrain.

Athetoid (or Dyskinetic) cerebral palsy affects approximately 10% of people who have cerebral palsy.  It was once common, as a result of blood type incompatibility, but is now much more rarely seen. 

People with athetoid cerebral palsy have involuntary writhing movements, they often seem to be constantly in motion and sometimes have difficulties with speech, known as dysarthria, as their muscle tone changes from floppy to tense.

These movements will often affect the hands, feet, arms and legs. Sometimes the muscles in a persons face or tongue will be affected, causing problems with salliva loss and speech. The writhing movements will often increase during stressful times, and will usually disappear while sleeping.