Young children with CP can have some difficulty with muscle weakness, stiffness, balance, awkwardness, slowness and shakiness. This will vary for every child.

Their movement may be affected on one side or on both sides, and their arms or legs, sometimes both, might be affected.

Watching your baby, toddler or young child experience difficulties with movement and muscle control can be stressful, especially if you're not sure what you can do to help.

Each of the five types of CP affects mobility, muscles and tone differently. For example, tone issues can include:

• high tone – when there is too much tension in the rested muscle, so the muscle is tightly contracted when not in use (spasticity)
• low tone – when there is not enough tension in the rested muscle, so the muscle may feel slack and may be difficult to control when it is being used (hypotonia).

Each stage of your child’s development will be supported with strategies and treatments to help improve any high-tone and low-tone issues.

After a diagnosis of CP, parents often want to know if their child will be able to walk. Your healthcare team will need to monitor your child for a while before they can provide you with any answers.

Your child may be assessed for mobility using the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) skills test, which will allow you to understand your child’s level of movement and mobility.

Depending on the result of the test:

• children with GMFC levels 1 to 2 can often learn to walk independently
• children with a GMFC level 3 can learn to walk using walking sticks or frames
• children with a GMFC level 4 to 5 may require a wheelchair to be mobile.

Young children with CP benefit greatly from early intervention therapies that help strengthen their muscles and improve coordination. Your healthcare team will work with you and your child to create a treatment and support program that is designed to support your child’s movement, growth and development.

The program will include physiotherapy and occupational therapy to improve your child’s balance, flexibility, mobility, posture and strength. While programs can be intensive, they are often fun and motivating for your child.

Physiotherapists use techniques and equipment such as:

• strength training
• stretching
• muscle relaxing
• hot and cold packs
• weights
• resistance bands
• orthotics, splints, braces or casts.

Occupational therapists provide things like advice about home modifications, aids and equipment, and creative ideas to help with daily living. They may also play games and activities with your child to improve their hand skills.

Because young children’s brains are so receptive to learning lots of new things quickly, it’s possible for a child to learn to use a different section of their brain for new tasks.

Discover more about the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS), movement, mobility and muscles in the below section.