Ataxic cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that primarily affects balance, coordination, and fine motor skills. It is one of the less common forms of cerebral palsy, accounting for approximately 5–10% of all CP cases. Unlike spastic CP, which involves muscle stiffness, or dyskinetic CP, characterized by involuntary movements, ataxic CP is marked by unsteady movements and difficulties with precise motor tasks. This article will help you understand ataxic cerebral palsy and how legal advocacy with The Oshman Firm can help guide you.
Understanding Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
What Causes Ataxic Cerebral Palsy?
Ataxic CP results from damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and maintaining balance. This damage can occur during prenatal development, at birth, or shortly after birth. Potential causes include:
- Infections during pregnancy: Such as cytomegalovirus or rubella, can affect fetal brain development.
- Premature birth: Increases the risk of brain injury due to underdeveloped organs.
- Lack of oxygen during birth: Hypoxia can lead to brain damage.
- Brain hemorrhages: Bleeding in the brain can cause neurological impairments.
- Genetic factors: Certain genetic mutations may predispose individuals to ataxic CP.
Symptoms of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
The symptoms of ataxic CP can vary in severity but typically include:
- Poor coordination and balance: Individuals may have difficulty walking, standing, or performing tasks that require fine motor skills.
- Tremors: Shaking movements, particularly when attempting to perform precise tasks.
- Wide-based gait: Walking with feet spread apart to maintain balance.
- Difficulty with fine motor tasks: Challenges in activities like writing, buttoning a shirt, or using utensils.
- Speech and swallowing difficulties: Slurred speech or trouble swallowing due to muscle control issues.
- Nystagmus: Rapid, involuntary eye movements.
- Hypotonia: Low muscle tone, leading to floppiness.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ataxic CP involves a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare provider, typically starting in infancy or early childhood. Diagnostic steps may include:
- Medical history review: Assessing prenatal, birth, and developmental histories.
- Physical and neurological examination: Observing motor skills, reflexes, and coordination.
- Imaging tests: MRI or CT scans to detect brain abnormalities.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): To rule out seizure disorders.
- Genetic testing: Identifying potential hereditary causes.
Treatment Options for Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
While there is no cure for ataxic CP, various treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life:
1. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy focuses on improving coordination, strength, and balance. Therapists may use exercises to enhance gait, posture, and overall mobility. Regular therapy sessions can help individuals achieve greater independence in daily activities.
2. Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy assists individuals in performing daily tasks such as dressing, eating, and writing. Therapists may recommend adaptive tools and techniques to improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
3. Speech and Language Therapy
For those with speech and swallowing difficulties, speech-language pathologists can provide exercises to improve articulation, swallowing techniques, and communication skills. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices may also be introduced if necessary.
4. Medications
Medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms such as muscle stiffness or tremors. However, these are typically used in conjunction with other therapies and not as standalone treatments.
5. Assistive Devices
Depending on the severity of symptoms, individuals may benefit from assistive devices like braces, walkers, or wheelchairs to aid mobility and enhance independence.
6. Educational Support
Children with ataxic CP may require special education services to address learning challenges. Individualized education plans (IEPs) can be developed to provide tailored support in school settings.
Legal Considerations: When Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Results from Medical Negligence
In 20-25% cases, ataxic cerebral palsy may result from medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. If a healthcare provider’s actions or omissions lead to brain injury causing ataxic CP, affected families may have grounds for a legal claim.
Establishing a Medical Malpractice Claim
To pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit, the following elements must generally be proven:
- Duty of Care: The healthcare provider owed a duty to the patient.
- Breach of Duty: The provider failed to meet the standard of care.
- Causation: The breach directly caused the injury.
- Damages: The injury resulted in quantifiable harm.
In the context of ataxic CP, evidence might include:
- Failure to monitor fetal heart rate during labor.
- Failure to respond promptly to signs of fetal distress: Delayed action can result in oxygen deprivation or other complications that damage the cerebellum.
- Improper use of delivery tools: Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors can lead to head trauma and brain injury.
- Delayed Cesarean section: If an emergency C-section was warranted but not performed in time, the baby may have suffered avoidable brain damage.
- Undiagnosed or poorly managed maternal infections: Infections such as toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus can damage the developing brain if not properly treated during pregnancy.
The Role of Medical Experts
Medical malpractice cases involving ataxic cerebral palsy almost always require expert testimony. These experts—often specialists in obstetrics, neonatology, or pediatric neurology—review the medical records and determine whether the standard of care was breached and if that breach likely caused the child’s condition. Their findings are essential to establishing causation, one of the cornerstones of a successful legal case. The Oshman Firm can help connect you to these resources.
What to Do If You Suspect Negligence
If you suspect that your child’s ataxic cerebral palsy was the result of medical negligence, it’s important to take timely action:
1. Gather Medical Records
Request comprehensive medical records from the hospital, including maternal and fetal monitoring during labor, delivery notes, neonatal assessments, and early pediatric evaluations. These documents form the basis of any legal or medical review.
2. Consult a Birth Injury Attorney
A lawyer who specializes in birth injury or medical malpractice can help assess whether your case is viable. Most attorneys in this field offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they win your case.
3. Obtain a Medical Review
Legal teams typically work with medical experts to conduct an independent review of your child’s records. If this review finds evidence of substandard care, your attorney may recommend pursuing a lawsuit.
4. Be Aware of the Statute of Limitations
Each state has its own laws that limit how long you have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. In many cases involving children, the statute of limitations may be extended. However, acting quickly ensures that vital evidence remains available and that your legal options remain open.
Types of Compensation in Ataxic CP Lawsuits
If a lawsuit is successful or if a settlement is reached, the compensation awarded can cover a wide range of expenses and losses:
1. Medical Expenses
This includes both current and future medical costs—such as surgeries, medications, therapy sessions, and assistive devices.
2. Pain and Suffering
Though harder to quantify, courts can award damages for the physical and emotional pain endured by both the child and their family.
3. Lost Earnings and Earning Potential
This applies not just to the parents—if they must leave work to provide care—but also to the child’s diminished capacity to earn income in the future.
4. Long-Term Care Costs
These include home modifications, in-home nursing care, or residential care facilities that may be required throughout the child’s life.
5. Educational and Vocational Support
Children with CP often need specialized educational services, tutors, or vocational training, all of which can be factored into a compensation package.
Life with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Support and Advocacy
Even with all the challenges, many individuals with ataxic CP go on to lead fulfilling lives with the right support systems in place. Parents and caregivers play a critical role in navigating these challenges and advocating for their children.
Support Networks
Joining support groups—both in-person and online—can provide emotional relief and practical guidance. Organizations such as United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and Cerebral Palsy Foundation offer resources, community forums, and educational materials.
Education Rights
Children with cerebral palsy are entitled to a free and appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This includes the right to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines customized goals, accommodations, and support services.
Transition to Adulthood
As children with ataxic CP grow older, families need to prepare for transitions in education, employment, healthcare, and independent living. Vocational rehabilitation programs, life skills training, and continued therapy can all support a smooth transition.
Contact a Professional Today!
Ataxic cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that presents unique challenges in motor coordination and balance. While there is no cure, early intervention and a combination of therapies can dramatically improve a child’s functional abilities and quality of life. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options is key to managing the condition effectively.
In cases where ataxic cerebral palsy has resulted from medical negligence, families have legal options. A successful birth injury claim can provide the financial resources needed to secure a lifetime of medical care, therapy, education, and support.
If you believe that a healthcare provider’s actions may have led to your child’s condition, don’t wait. Reach out to a qualified attorney at The Oshman Firm, gather your medical records, and get a professional opinion. Your child’s future—and your peace of mind—may depend on it.
Sources:
- Cerebral palsy (CP). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/index.html. Accessed May 24, 2021.
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance (U.S.). Ataxic Cerebral Palsy (Ataxia). (https://cparf.org/what-is-cerebral-palsy/types-of-cerebral-palsy/ataxic-cerebral-palsy-ataxia/) Last reviewed 2018. Accessed 1/30/2025.
- Cerebral palsy (CP). Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/neurologic-disorders-in-children/cerebral-palsy-cp?query=cerebral%20palsy#. Accessed June 12, 2023.
- Cerebral Palsy (CP). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/cerebral-palsy
- Schwabe AL. Comprehensive care in cerebral palsy. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 2020; doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2019.09.012.
