Paediatric Objective assessment

Objective assessments (print-out version)

1: During normal development, was there a bad accident? (eg fall from tree or car crash)? *seek medical advice if possible
No = go to 2 Yes = Spinal cord injury

2: During normal development, did the child start to lose skills and become weak? (eg could run but now cannot walk) *seek medical advice if possible
No = go to 3 Yes = Neuromuscular

3: During normal development, did infection or fever occur, after which a leg or an arm become weak? *seek medical advice if possible
No = go to 4 Yes = Poliomyelitis

4: Is there one weak arm that is held straight and close to body? *seek medical advice if possible
No = go to 5 Yes = Erbs palsy

5: Is the child physically well but delayed in their developmental milestones? Or is the child physically struggling?
Developmental delay; Yes = go to 6

6: Is there increased tone in both legs? (eg legs scissoring or difficult to straighten)
No = go to 12 Yes = go to 7

7: Is there increased tone in both arms? (eg arms stiff and difficult to straighten). One arm may be affected more than the other
No = go to 23 Yes = go to 8

8: Are the legs able to move more freely than the arms? (if a toddler then walking unlikely)
Yes = go to 10 No = go to 9

9: Did the child have some difficulties around birth? (eg born early, late, fast or difficult labour, cord round neck, no sound, poorly or infected)
No = go to 10 Yes = Spastic quadriplegia;

10: Are the legs stiffer than the arms? (ie walking is possible but it is up on toes and needing some support)
No = go to 12 Yes = go to 11;

11: Did the child have some difficulties around birth? (eg born early, late, fast or difficult labour, cord round neck, no sound, poorly or infected)
No = go to 12 Yes = Spastic diplegia;

12: Are both legs ‘floppy’? (ie legs tend to fall into a frog leg posture and not kick or move much)
No = go to 17 Yes = go to 13;

13: Does the child have ‘floppy’ arms? (ie unable to lift arms to get a toy or move them much)
No = go to 23 Yes = go to 14;

14: Does the child have a ‘floppy’ head and weak back? (unable to hold head up properly or sit unaided)
No = go to 16 Yes = go to 15;

15: Did the child have some difficulties around birth? (eg born early, late, fast or difficult labour, cord round neck, no sound, poorly or infected) *move to neuromuscular conditions assessment
Yes = neuromuscular condition; No = go 16

16: Has the child been like this from birth (or since illness) yet seems to be getting stronger?
No = go to 17 Yes = Low tone CP;

17: Does the child have stiffness (Increased tone) or floppiness (decreased tone) on one side of the body? (arm may be worse than leg or vice versa)
No = go to 19 Yes = go to 18;

18: Did the child have some difficulties around birth? (eg born early, late, fast or difficult labour, cord round neck, no sound, poorly or infected)
No = go to 19 Yes = Hemiplegia;

19: Are there variable or unwanted movements that become noticeable when the child tries to move? (sitting and standing balance can be difficult, affecting all the body)
No = go to 23 Yes = go to 20;

20: Did the child have some difficulties around birth? (eg born early, late, fast or difficult labour, cord round neck, no sound, poorly or infected)
No = go to 21 Yes = Dyskinetic;

21: Are there variable or unwanted movements that become noticeable when the child tries to move? (sitting and standing balance can be difficult, affecting all the body)
No = go to 23 Yes = go to 22

22: Did the child have some difficulties around birth? (eg born early, late, fast or difficult labour, cord round neck, no sound, poorly or infected)
No = go to 23 Yes = Ataxia;

23: Are both arms moving equally and normally without ‘floppiness’ (low tone) or resistance (high tone)
No = END Yes = go to 24;

24: Was development normal until stiffness or weakness in lower limbs developed over time?
No = END Yes = Suspected spinal tumour;


During normal development, was there a bad accident? (eg fall from tree or car crash)? *seek medical advice if possible


During normal development, did the child start to lose skills and become weak? (eg could run but now cannot walk) *seek medical advice if possible


During normal development, did infection or fever occur, after which a leg or an arm become weak? *seek medical advice if possible


Is there one weak arm that is held straight and close to body? *seek medical advice if possible


Is the child physically well but delayed in their developmental milestones? Or is the child physically struggling?


Is there increased tone in both legs? (eg legs scissoring or difficult to straighten)


Is there increased tone in both arms? (eg arms stiff and difficult to straighten). One arm may be affected more than the other


Are the legs able to move more freely than the arms? (if a toddler then walking unlikely)


Did the child have some difficulties around birth? (eg born early, late, fast or difficult labour, cord round neck, no sound, poorly or infected)


Are the legs stiffer than the arms? (ie walking is possible but it is up on toes and needing some support)


Are both legs ‘floppy’? (ie legs tend to fall into a frog leg posture and not kick or move much)


Does the child have ‘floppy’ arms? (ie unable to lift arms to get a toy or move them much)


Does the child have a ‘floppy’ head and weak back? (unable to hold head up properly or sit unaided)


Has the child been like this from birth (or since illness) yet seems to be getting stronger?


Does the child have stiffness (Increased tone) or floppiness (decreased tone) on one side of the body? (arm may be worse than leg or vice versa)


Are there variable or unwanted movements that become noticeable when the child tries to move? (sitting and standing balance can be difficult, affecting all the body)


Are both arms moving equally and normally without ‘floppiness’ (low tone) or resistance (high tone)


Was development normal until stiffness or weakness in lower limbs developed over time?

bjective assessment

Quick medical check

Objective assessments (print-out version)