By age twelve these children may accomplish higher levels of function but may still rely on wheeled mobility systems. Before their second birthdays, children functioning at this level have limited voluntary control of movement. They are unable to hold up their head or trunk against gravity and require adult assistance to roll. By age twelve, these children cannot sit, stand or walk. Adaptive equipment and assistive technology are used extensively to attempt to compensate for the child s deficits.
Some children are able to use power mobility systems.
Summary Thanks to the Neurodevelopmental Clinical Research Unit at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, we now have a better way to communicate our assessment and expectations for gross motor development in children with cerebral palsy. This system works very well with clinical tools, such as the Gross Motor Function Measure, to allow families and professionals to track gains and make predictions about the future. Gross Motor Function Classification System for Cerebral palsy. She is NDT certified and a MOVE International Trainer.