![]() ‘At school, her biggest issue is writing: it’s often illegible. The ligaments in her hands and feet are the worst affected, and although she shows no sign of pain, she’s often very tired. She was late to walk and talk, and generally missed most of her milestones. ‘Evie was a floppy baby, and had considerable fine and gross motor delay. Louise is mum to Evie, six, who has marked gHSD This should be discussed with their teacher, GP or therapists. Hypermobile children may qualify for extra time in formal exams like SATs. Some children like to have a pass that they give to their teacher to avoid drawing attention to themselves.Įxtra time. If your child is prone to accidents, they should be allowed to use the toilet whenever they need to, and not be told to wait. Schools might consider activities that the whole class can join in with, like Pilates. Your child should wear supportive trainers and exercises may need to be adapted to avoid high impact on their joints. ‘This is especially important as some UK research has shown that hypermobile children who are overweight are 12 times more likely to develop symptoms in adolescence,’ Jane says. Children with gHSD and hEDS should be encouraged to join in with PE as far as possible. They may prefer to sit on a chair or bench, or to sit at the end of the row in assembly so they can stretch their legs.Īdapting PE to their needs. Some children find it uncomfortable to sit on the floor, especially cross-legged. ‘It’s helpful if schools can provide a place where children can rest or wriggle to prevent stiffness,’ says Jane. ![]() Your child may need time to rest or stretch during the day. They should be allowed to take breaks when writing, and/or to use a tablet or laptop if typing is easier.Īllowing rest breaks. They can be encouraged to warm up their hands before writing, for example by pulling each finger gently and clenching and unclenching their hands. Using a writing slope may also be helpful. Ergonomic pens and pencils or pencil grips may help your child control their pencil. A foam wedge cushion may be used to improve posture. Children should be encouraged to sit up straight, with their feet flat on the floor. If they have a physiotherapist or occupational therapist, it’s a good idea for them to liaise with your child’s teacher about specific provisions to help them.Įncouraging good posture. There are many measures that schools can put in place to make life easier for children with gHSD and hEDS. Painkillers like children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be used if they’re in pain. Having warm baths and using hot water bottles or wheat bags on your child’s affected joints can ease their pain and stiffness. If your child is struggling to accept their condition and feeling different from others, a referral to a psychologist might be made to help them cope with their emotions. Special insoles or orthotic boots might be recommended to improve their walking. Some children will see a podiatrist, especially if they have flat feet with no arch and unstable ankles. ‘There’s evidence that children do better when their families are involved with their treatment, so if your child is given exercises to do, try to do them with them so they don’t feel singled out,’ says Jane. The treatment therefore focuses on minimising the symptoms.Ĭhildren might be referred to a physiotherapist and/or an occupational therapist to help improve their balance, coordination, muscle strength and fitness so their joints are better protected. Hypermobility is a body type and as such there is no cure.
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