What are some tests to evaluate activity limitations in children with CP?

• A. GMFM, MMTs, functional movement assessments, TUG, and SFA.
• B. Blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol.
• C. IQ tests only.
• D. Vision screening and hearing tests.

Answer: (A)

Measuring activity limitations in children with CP focuses on how well they can perform daily movement tasks. The GMFM is built specifically to quantify gross motor function across a range of functional activities, so it directly tracks changes in what the child can do in real-life movement. Manual muscle testing adds information about strength, which helps explain why certain tasks are challenging, even though it isn’t the sole measure of function in CP due to spasticity and atypical movement patterns. Functional movement assessments look at how tasks are carried out in practice, emphasizing movement quality and efficiency during everyday activities. The Timed Up and Go offers a practical snapshot of dynamic mobility and independence in daily settings. The School Functional Assessment extends the focus to school-related activities, capturing activity limitations in an important, real-world context. Together, these tests provide a broad picture of how CP affects a child’s ability to perform activities, rather than just looking at impairments or unrelated domains. Cardiovascular measures, IQ tests, and vision/hearing screenings assess other aspects (cardiovascular status, cognition, and sensory function) and don’t directly evaluate activity limitations.