Hypotonia Motor skills are usually 1 to 2 years behind due to the hypotonia. Balance, strength, coordination and motor planning are often affected. Growth hormone treatment may increase motor skills by increasing muscle mass. Physical therapy and occupational therapy may be useful in promoting development in the affected areas. In addition, low tone may cause feeding problems due to an inability to suck, and could, therefore, result in the infant requiring a feeding tube for the first few days or weeks of life.
Speech articulation defects Hypotonia can also lead to poor speech skills.
The need for speech therapy should be addressed in early infancy. Speech problems can lead to frustration and sometimes aggressive behavior. Products to increase saliva may help articulation skills, however, other forms of communication may be necessary, such as sign language or communication boards. Though children with PWS have problems with articulation, verbal ability often becomes a strength for them. Areas in which the child may have difficulties are with attention, short-term auditory memory, and abstract thinking.