WE MOVE
204 West 84th Street
New York, NY 10024
E-mail: wemove@wemove.org
wemove.org • mdvu.org
Stay Connected Research News Chat Discussion Forum Advocacy and Support Organizations Patient Meeting Calendar Movement Disorder Glossary Movement Disorders Virtual University Linkage Library
WE MOVE

Make a Donation
Ataxia
Bradykinesia
Choreoathetosis
Corticobasal Degeneration
Dyskinesias (Paroxysmal)
Dystonia
Essential Tremor
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Huntington's Disease
Multiple System Atrophy
Myoclonus
Parkinson's Disease
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Restless Legs Syndrome
Rett Syndrome
Spasticity
Sydenham's Chorea
Tardive Dyskinesia
Tics
Tourette's Syndrome
Tremor
Wilson Disease
 

Ataxia (Pediatric) Examination

The first feature to observe about ataxia is where it occurs in the child's body. It may affect only walking, or arm and eye movements may be involved. Physicians may then determine its severity in each part of the body. It is important to recognize if...

  • There are variations in the severity of the symptoms during the day
  • There are variations in the severity of symptoms at mealtime
  • Whether particular types of foods affect the symptoms
  • Symptoms become worse when the child is tired, hungry, or ill

The diagnosing physician may also be concerned about the progression of symptoms over time. Certain questions may be asked, including...

  • Are the symptoms stable or have they become worse over the preceding weeks, months, or years?
  • Did the symptoms begin after an illness?
  • Have there been prior episodes of symptoms that have resolved?
  • If the symptoms resolve and recur, how long do they last and do they become completely better?

Many types of ataxia are hereditary, so it is also important to look for subtle symptoms in family members. For example, the physician may question if there are relatives with clumsiness, frequent falling, late walking, early speech therapy, unusual eye movements, particularly poor handwriting, or other neurological problems.