Question
This has everyone worried. A colleague of mine has a child who, at almost two years old, is not able to stand properly, let alone walk. After a hospital check-up, the child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The colleague is very upset and is considering resigning from work to treat his son.
Answer
Most children show significant symptoms after 3 months, characterized by hypomobility of the affected limb, persistent clenched fists, persistent grasp reflexes that do not disappear, and a forearm in a flexed supination posture, as well as a circular gait. Some patients may initially have hypotonia in the affected limb, which later turns into a spastic state. This type often accompanies intellectual disability and epilepsy. Improvement in motor function and enhancement of self-care abilities are achieved by increasing joint mobility, adjusting muscle tone, improving motor control, coordination, strength, and endurance. Common techniques include: positional therapy, soft tissue stretching, muscle tone adjustment techniques, and functional active exercise training.