[1] For example, with age they may develop bone deformities from the pull of spastic muscles, muscular deterioration, and loss of range of motion in a joint.

Changes in spasticity and corresponding postures may also occur with other brain activity, such as excitement, fear or anxiety, or even pain, which increase muscle tension.

Spastic cerebral palsy is caused by malformation of or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement.

[12] A doctor will typically use a series of tests to assess developmental progress in growth, muscle control, coordination, vision, hearing, and posture.

[12] Continuous loss of motor skills likely indicates a condition other than spastic CP such as a genetic muscle disease[12] Some metabolic disorders mimic spastic cerebral palsy and can be ruled out using a magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI).

[12] Some tests to assess a child suspected to have spastic cerebral palsy are: These tests are imaging techniques used to produce pictures of the brain and to examine them for areas of damage that indicate a diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy.

[14] The types of spastic cerebral palsy are generally distinguished by the primary areas of the body that are affected.

[22] About 1/3 of people with cerebral palsy cannot walk, about 1/2 have intellectual disabilities, and 3/4 experience some level of chronic pain.

[25] Social inclusion and the presence or absence of policy to address discrimination, in addition to medical intervention, influences the outlook for people living with spastic cerebral palsy.