Athetoid cerebral palsy affects about 10 percent of children
with cerebral palsy. Athetoid cerebral palsy, which is caused by
damage to the cerebellum or basal ganglia. These areas of the
brain are responsible for processing the signals that enable
smooth, coordinated movements as well as maintaining body
posture. Damage to these areas may cause a child to develop
involuntary, purposeless movements, especially in the face,
arms, and trunk. These involuntary movements often interfere
with speaking, feeding, reaching, grasping, and other skills
requiring coordinated movements. For example, involuntary
grimacing and tongue thrusting may lead to swallowing problems,
drooling and slurred speech. The movements often increase during
periods of emotional stress and disappear during sleep. In
addition, children with athetoid cerebral palsy often have low
muscle tone and have problems maintaining posture for sitting
and walking.