Which statement best describes a functional limitation in hypotonic children?

Which statement best describes a functional limitation in hypotonic children?

• A. Increased endurance
• B. No limitation
• C. Inability to perform ADL secondary to efforts to move against gravity
• D. Enhanced fine motor control

Answer: (C)

In hypotonia, muscle tone is too low to generate the necessary force to move against gravity. Tasks that require anti-gravity control—keeping the head and trunk upright, sitting up, standing, transferring between positions, and reaching overhead to perform daily activities—become difficult and may require substantial effort or assistance. This is why the best way to describe a functional limitation in these children is an inability to perform activities of daily living because of the effort needed to move against gravity. Endurance is not typically the defining issue, and claims of no limitation or enhanced fine motor control don’t fit the common pattern, since both gross and fine motor control and postural stability are often affected when tone is low.

In hypotonia, muscle tone is too low to generate the necessary force to move against gravity. Tasks that require anti-gravity control—keeping the head and trunk upright, sitting up, standing, transferring between positions, and reaching overhead to perform daily activities—become difficult and may require substantial effort or assistance. This is why the best way to describe a functional limitation in these children is an inability to perform activities of daily living because of the effort needed to move against gravity. Endurance is not typically the defining issue, and claims of no limitation or enhanced fine motor control don’t fit the common pattern, since both gross and fine motor control and postural stability are often affected when tone is low.