Children and young people with CP can have difficulty with muscle weakness, stiffness, balance, awkwardness, slowness and shakiness. Their movement may be affected on one side or on both sides, and their arms or legs, sometimes both, might be affected.

Since CP affects muscles and movement, mobility problems are common and range from painful or difficulty walking to being unable to walk at all.

When your child was diagnosed with CP, they may have been assessed for mobility using the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) skills test, in order to understand their level of movement and mobility.

Depending on the result of the test:

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

Each type of CP affect 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).

At each stage of your child’s development, the healthcare team will reassess their movement and mobility, and update their treatment plan.

Movement and mobility programs for children and young people with CP include physiotherapy and occupational therapy to support and improve their balance, flexibility, mobility, tone, posture and strength.

Some techniques and tools used by a physiotherapist may include:

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

Occupational therapists can provide advice about home modifications, aids and equipment, and suggest creative ideas to help with mobility.

Make sure your child’s school has facilities and processes in place to support their mobility needs.

Research suggests that the main concerns for young people with CP are around having safe and efficient mobility so they can participate in daily activities, including school and social events.

Schools, families, friends and communities can support young people with CP by understanding that:

• mobility is important for their self-sufficiency
• if they walk and also use a wheelchair, they have to make choices that are influenced by issues of safety and efficiency
• their mobility preferences at home might not be safe, practical or socially appropriate at school or in the community
• they are constantly having to adapt to situations where they have a lack of control over the environment
• they need for constantly plan ahead to go places and do things
• they are often dependent on others for transportation and dissatisfied with public transport options.