Rare Genetic Disorders
Angelman Syndrome
Signs and symptoms:
- Severe developmental delay and learning disabilities
- Jerky movements of the arm and legs
- May include sleep disorders, seizures, and feeding disorders
- Significant communication difficulties
- Motor involvement:
- Tremors
- Wide based gait
- Jerkiness
- Ataxia (presence of abnormal, uncoordinated movements)
- Loss of balance
How physio can help:
- Work on mobility, gross motor function, strength, and increasing bone density
- Monitor for scoliosis
- Make recommendations for the use of orthotics
Kabuki Syndrome
Signs and symptoms:
- Characteristic facial appearance: Microcephaly, hypotonia, eye problems, cleft palate
- Mild to moderate intellectual disability
- Skeletal abnormalities including spine abnormalities and joint dislocations
How physio can help:
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- Play therapy to help with gross motor development and strengthening
Prader-Willi Syndrome
Signs and symptoms:
- A genetic multi-system disorder characterized during infancy by lethargy, diminished muscle tone, weak suck and feeding difficulties with poor weight gain, cognitive impairments and growth, and hormone deficiency
How physio can help:
- Early intervention to help support meeting motor milestones
- On-going play-based physiotherapy for endurance, strength, and development