This limitation prevents the child from participating in many activities. It is often difficult or impossible for children to stop themselves from falling if they lose balance. Children with athetosis move too much. They may have difficulty controlling their movements or maintaining their posture. The first stage towards achieving functional activity is to enable the child with spasticity to be less stiff and the child with athetosis to gain some control over their posture and movement.
Therapists can help parents to understand their child's needs.
They are shown the most appropriate ways or positioning in helping their child to move and to incorporate these into the child's daily life. Top of Page Helping the Child to Progress The able-bodied child can move about to explore the environment. In the first stages he learns about himself. He kicks and then brings his toes to his mouth. Without much help, and quite naturally, he moves from one stage of development to another.