Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

A form of cerebral palsy characterized by involuntary, uncontrolled, slow writhing movements, particularly affecting the hands, feet, arms, and legs, and sometimes the muscles of the face and tongue. Athetoid cerebral palsy results from damage to the basal ganglia and is distinct from spastic cerebral palsy, which involves muscle stiffness. The involuntary movements make precise motor control extremely difficult, significantly impacting the use of standard computer input devices, handwriting, and other fine motor tasks. People with athetoid cerebral palsy often benefit from single-switch access systems, adapted keyboards with keyguards, and other assistive technologies that accommodate their movement patterns.