What is a common symptom of athetosis in individuals with cerebral palsy?

Athetosis is characterized by large, irregular twisting movements that are often uncontrollable. This symptom arises from damage to the basal ganglia, a group of nuclei in the brain that help regulate movement control. Individuals with athetosis often experience involuntary movements that can affect various parts of the body, including the arms, hands, legs, and even facial muscles.

These movements can make coordination and purposeful actions challenging, which is a hallmark of this condition. The twisting movements associated with athetosis can significantly impact a person's ability to engage in activities of daily living and can be a primary movement disorder observed in some individuals with cerebral palsy. Understanding this symptom is crucial for training and developing appropriate therapeutic interventions tailored to support individuals with this type of cerebral palsy.

The other symptoms, while they can be present in various movement disorders related to cerebral palsy, do not specifically define athetosis as clearly as the characteristic large, irregular twisting movements.