Movement and Mobility

Up to 80% of families of people with Dravet Syndrome report difficulties with movement and mobility including gait (walking), lack of coordination (ataxia) and crouch-gait. Flat feet and turned-out toes are common along with poor muscle tone (hypertonia), tight muscles (spasticity) or hypermobile (over-flexible) joints.

While the psychological and intellectual delays associated with Dravet Syndrome are particularly striking in children younger than 2 years old, changes in gait seem to gradually worsen as children grow older. As a result, they may become increasingly dependent on their parents and caregivers to move around and perform normal daily activities.

In the video below, Dr Andreas Brunklaus talks about options for helping to address these issues, including obtaining a physiotherapy review to identify ways to help support development of mobility and movement.