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Was the child developing normally and without a fever, but then had an accident eg fall from a tree, car/ motorbike accident, etc?
Spinal cord injury
Was the child developing normally, but then seemed to get weaker and start to lose skills? (eg was running, now struggling to walk)?
Neuromuscular condition
During normal development, did infection or fever occur, after which a leg or an arm become weak? *seek medical advice if possible
Acute poliomyelitis
Is there one weak arm that is held straight and close to body? *seek medical advice if possible
Erb's Palsy
Is the child physically well but delayed in their developmental milestones? Or is the child physically struggling?
Developmental delay
Is there increased tone in both legs? (eg legs scissoring or difficult to straighten)
go to 7
Is there increased tone in both arms? (eg arms stiff and difficult to straighten). One arm may be affected more than the other
go to 8
Are the legs able to move more freely than the arms? (if a toddler then walking unlikely)
go to 9
9: Did the child have some difficulties around birth eg born too soon, too late, too fast, difficult labour, cord round neck, took some time to cry when first born or was poorly( eg meningitis or infection as a baby?
CP Spastic
Quadriplegia
Is there increased tone in both arms? (eg arms stiff and difficult to straighten). One arm may be affected more than the other
go to 8
Are the legs able to move more freely than the arms? (if a toddler then walking unlikely)
go to 10
Are the legs stiffer than the arms? (ie walking is possible but it is up on toes and needing some support)
go to 11
Did the child have some difficulties around birth eg born too soon, too late, too fast, difficult labour, cord round neck, took some time to cry when first born or was poorly (eg meningitis or infection as a baby?
CP Spastic
Diplegia
Is there increased tone in both legs? (eg legs scissoring or difficult to straighten)
go to 12
Are both legs ‘floppy’? (ie legs tend to fall into a frog leg posture and not kick or move much)
go to 13
Does the child have ‘floppy’ arms? (ie unable to lift arms to get a toy or move them much)
go to 14
Does the child have a ‘floppy’ head and weak back? (unable to hold head up properly or sit unaided)
go to 16
16: Has the child been like this from birth or since the illness but seems to be getting stronger?
Low tone cerebral palsy
Is there increased tone in both legs? (eg legs scissoring or difficult to straighten)
go to 12
Are both legs ‘floppy’? (ie legs tend to fall into a frog leg posture and not kick or move much)
go to 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)
go to 18
Did the child have some difficulties around birth eg born too soon, too late, too fast, difficult labour, cord round neck, took some time to cry when first born?
CP left or right sided
hemiplegia
Are both legs ‘floppy’? (ie legs tend to fall into a frog leg posture and not kick or move much)
go to 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)
go to 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)
go to 20
Did the child have some difficulties around birth eg born too soon, too late, too fast, difficult labour, cord round neck, took some time to cry when first born?
Dyskinetic CP
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)
go to 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)
go to 20
Did the child have some difficulties around birth eg born too soon, too late, too fast, difficult labour, cord round neck, took some time to cry when first born?
go to 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)
go to 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)
Ataxia
Is there increased tone in both legs? (eg legs scissoring or difficult to straighten)
go to 7
Is there increased tone in both arms? (eg arms stiff and difficult to straighten). One arm may be affected more than the other
go to 23
Are both arms moving equally and normally without ‘floppiness’ (low tone) or resistance (high tone)
go to 24
Was development normal until stiffness or weakness in lower limbs developed over time?
Suspected spinal tumour