Motor Difficulties

Motor problems are very common, occurring in around two thirds of children with LKS. They often relate to the disease activity (that is, correspond to periods of regression or fluctuation). They may include dyspraxia or incoordination, tremor, unsteadiness, jerky movements, unusual limb postures, weakness or even neglect of one side. They may affect activities such as writing, dressing, walking and may make it difficult to use gesture and signing. The muscles around the mouth and throat are commonly involved and will cause difficulties with feeding, controlling saliva and speech.

In certain cases, the child may experience weakness following a clinical seizure (Todd’s paresis or postictal paralysis) or sometimes loss of speech (postictal aphasia). These immediate post-seizure difficulties usually get better over some hours or occasionally days. However some children change hand preference following this type of episode.