Cerebral Palsy is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movements and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to the brain, usually occurring during fetal development, or during infancy. It can also occur before, during or shortly following birth. Cerebral Palsy is neither progressive (it doesn't get worse with time), nor communicable (you can't "catch it"). It is one of the most common disabling conditions of childhood. There are 4 types of Cerebral Palsy: Spastic Cerebral Palsy characterized by stiff and difficult movement; Athetoid Cerebral Palsy characterized by involuntary and uncontrolled movement; Ataxic Cerebral Palsy characterized by a disturbed sense of balance and depth perception; and Mixed Cerebral Palsy.