basic motor pattern

For all physical tasks there is a minimum requirement, the basic motor pattern. This becomes more evident when we look at the stages of normal child development. For example;

4-5 months Lying on back, a baby can reach his feet and
put them in his mouth

6-8 months A baby can sit up and prop on his hands

9-10 months A baby can crawl on hands and
feet and is ready to pull into a standing position

In all of these tasks the baby requires the same basic skills:
Grasp and release
Extension of elbows
Hip mobility
Midline orientation
Fixation
Extension of knees

These skills will be acquired by the majority of children within the first 2 years; they will do so automatically, without being taught.

So what is different for a child with cerebral palsy (CP)?

For some children the early grasp reflex found in newborns is retained, inhibiting their ability to release their grasp. For others extending the wrist and securing a strong grasp is difficult due to abnormal muscle activity and weakness.

For many children increased muscle tone will affect the muscles that bend their elbows resulting in difficulty with straightening the elbows or keeping them straight.

A combination of abnormal muscle activity and prolonged periods of static positions can result in limited mobility at one or more joints e.g. the hip.

Due to abnormal muscle activity and difficulty in isolating individual movements it can be difficult to fix one part of the body in order to allow another to move more efficiently.

Again, as a result of abnormal muscle activity, prolonged static positions and / or muscle weakness, it may be difficult for some children to extend their knees.

For children with CP the movement skills are broken down and taught. The children need to be reminded to concentrate on each aspect of the larger task in hand. Throughout their day it is important for them to think through each aspect of the task in order that
correct patterns of movement become more automatic, muscles do not weaken through lack of use and joint mobility is maintained.

Try these tasks yourself:

Tie your shoelace
Stand up from sitting on a chair
Get up from lying on your bed

Now look at the 6 skills listed for the basic motor
pattern:

Grasp and release
Extension of elbows
Hip mobility
Midline orientation
Fixation
Extension of knees

Try to do these tasks again without using these skills. It’s hard if not impossible isn’t it?