Cerebral Palsy Classifications

Cerebral Palsy Classifications

Your therapist or doctor may use a standardised scale to help you and others understand your child's level of functioning.

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A summary of cerebral palsy classifications

Understanding cerebral palsy and what the functional classification systems mean for your child and your whānau (PDF, 162KB)

Cerebral palsy functional classification systems (PDF, 171KB)

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Each cerebral palsy classification in detail

You can read about each CP classification in more detail below. Although written for health professionals, some families find these helpful.

Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)

For more information on this classification system, see GMFCS – E & R: Gross Motor Function Classification System. Expanded and revised (PDF, 45KB) and GMFCS E & R between 6th and 12th birthday: Descriptors and illustrations (PDF, 230KB).

Manual Ability Classification System (MACS)

For more information on this classification system, see Manual Ability Classification System for Children with Cerebral Palsy: 4-18 years (PDF, 53KB).

Communication Function Classification System (CFCS)

For more information on this classification system, see Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) (PDF, 1.02MB).

Eating and Drinking Classification System (EDACS)

For more information on this classification system, see Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System - Algorithm (PDF, 231KB).

This page last reviewed 29 June 2021.

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